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County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. presented a 2025 proposed budget and capital plan to the Board of Legislators today that carried with it no increase to the property tax levy for the twelfth consecutive year.
The $549 million proposal is a balanced operational budget that appropriates $151 million in sales tax revenue, $23 million in Oneida Indian Nation revenue and retires just over $19 million in debt. The capital budget will bond for $21.6 million.
As was the case last year, 90% of the 2025 budget proposal is mandated costs by New York State, while 10% is considered discretionary spending controlled by Oneida County.
Picente said that the July 16th tornado in Rome was a major factor in the proposed budget, with the county racking up $23 million in response costs to this point, including at least $10 million in damages to Oneida County’s facilities in the city.
“We moved $5 million from fund balance to begin to address needs,” Picente said. “Together, with our partners, we set up temporary shelters and began to put hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of food replenishment cards into the hands of people just 48 hours after the tornado. We bought a myriad of supplies for impromptu food banks and our mobile units. We put $300,000 towards business recovery. Most importantly we have put nearly $1.4 million into the hands of over 450 residents whose properties were wrecked by this tornado.
“Without a healthy fund balance and a strong fiscal position, this government’s ability to help in the immediate aftermath and long-term recovery of the tornado would have been limited,” he added. “Because of the work we’ve done year in and year out, we were able to lead the way through this emergency and make a real difference in the lives of those affected.”
Cost increases associated with contract settlements also had a large impact on the budget proposal.
“This year, we had increases in cost that were essential to how this government functions and were long overdue,” Picente said. “Salaries and benefits are up $30 million. All union contracts are settled. For the first time, we made five-year agreements that consolidated steps and increased pay for all our employees. We were not competitive in the marketplace. We couldn’t recruit and we couldn’t retain. We were not set up for long-term success and a comprehensive approach was necessary and is reflected in these contracts.”
Picente said that keeping the tax levy at zero this year was a difficult task that was accomplished through a 17-year foundation of fiscal stability, and by making some tough calls, including reducing initial departmental requests by $14 million and then cutting another $9 million from discretionary spending across all departments. He said he had considered a modest property tax increase, but ultimately decided against it. That said, the long trend of zeroes could come to an end soon.
“I want everyone to understand a hard reality,” Picente said. “Our revenue streams fluctuate. Sales tax will not go up forever. Nation revenue won’t always increase at the same pace. We have to be cognizant of those potential outcomes. This government cannot continue to be everything to everyone with the financial structure the way it is.”
Picente said that some hard choices will have to be considered next year including whether to continue keeping villages whole on their property tax collection, sharing Nation revenue with local governments and using an outdated sales tax formula that doesn’t meet county government requirements.
The Board of Legislators will vote on the County Executive’s 2025 budget proposal at its meeting on Nov. 13, 2024.
Full 2025 Budget Proposal Report here.
Full 2025 Budget Address here.
Video of today’s budget presentation here.
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