BUFFALO, N.Y. — Erie County’s proposed 2027 budget calls for a 5.5% increase in spending, about $125 million more than this year. County Executive Mark Poloncarz said rising costs are driving that increase, while critics are questioning whether taxpayers are getting enough relief.
Erie County’s proposed budget tops $2.2 billion in general fund spending. Poloncarz said the county is trying to balance rising costs with the need to keep taxes in check.
“The 2027 budget is very tight,” said Poloncarz. “It’s a balanced budget. It’s a fair budget. It doesn’t have any bells and whistles.”
The proposal includes a $12.7 million increase in the property tax levy, but the county said the property tax rate will drop from $3.9 to $3.1 per $1,000 of assessed value. Poloncarz said that doesn’t guarantee every homeowner will pay less.
“If somebody’s assessment stayed the same when it comes to their county taxes, they will see a reduction in what they paid last year,” said Poloncarz. “If their assessment went up, they could theoretically pay more. We reduced the rate and that’s all we can control.”
Director of the Office of Budget and Management Mark Cornell said the budget also includes $42 million in spending cuts, after departments requested even more funding.
“All of the benefit that the county gets from sales tax is going right back into dollars out the door to pay for the cost also associated with inflation and higher costs,” said Cornell.
The county said its budget stays within the state tax cap, but officials warn future federal and state costs could put more pressure on county finances. The county legislature is expected to review the proposal in the coming weeks. Erie County lawmakers are expected to hold budget hearings in November, with action on the proposed budget expected in early December.