Brooks Presents 2010 Budget: Stable Taxes, Spending Frozen, No Cuts To Services
Emphasizing a focus on responsible, forward-thinking financial management, County Executive Maggie Brooks today outlined her proposed budget for 2010. The County Executive’s 2010 Operating Budget, totaling $913,970,335, holds the County tax rate flat, freezes non-mandated spending, and responsibly funds quality of life services, all while utilizing no local “one shot” revenue sources.
“This is the sixth budget that I am submitting as County Executive, and for the sixth consecutive year, I take great pride in presenting a budget that provides real relief to our hard-working and overburdened property taxpayers,” said Brooks. “The 2010 County Budget addresses many of the current challenges shared by all local governments, but more importantly, serves as a model of fiscal restraint that will ensure the County is well positioned to overcome challenges the future may hold.”
No Property Tax Increase
For the sixth straight year, the County Executive has honored her commitment to taxpayers by proposing stable property taxes. The 2010 Budget preserves the reduced property tax rate set in 2008 and maintained last year in the face of an unprecedented economic crisis, holding the rate flat at $8.99 per $1,000 of assessed value.
“In a time when governments across the Nation are either unable or unwilling to make tough decisions to keep from balancing their budgets on the backs of taxpayers, we have once again maintained a stable property tax rate,” continued Brooks. “By holding property taxes in check, the 2010 County Budget will have a real impact on our community, making it easier for families to continue to enjoy our high quality of life and for businesses to create jobs and grow our economy.”
Spending Held Flat for 2010
Through a combination of strict cost controls and innovative program development, the 2010 Budget holds taxpayer supported non-mandated spending, or the spending that the County can control on a local level, to an increase of 0% for the coming year.
Reinforcing this effort, the Brooks Administration continues to reduce the size and cost of local government, trimming employee headcount by carefully examining any vacant Monroe County position and filling only those that provide efficient delivery of essential services. As a result, for 2010 there will be 25 fewer positions in County government than in 2009.
The unprecedented spending freeze also keeps Monroe County in full compliance with the Taxpayer Protection Act of 2007.
“This Administration has long been proud to stand on a record of fiscal responsibility and stable taxes,” stated Brooks. “By expanding our dedication to controlling spending, protecting taxpayer resources, and doing even more with less, this year we were able to build upon our past successes and have ensured non-mandated spending will not increase by a single penny in 2010.”
No Reductions To Quality of Life Services
The 2010 Monroe County Budget responsibly maintains vital quality of life services, including the areas of parks and public safety.
“The 2010 Monroe County budget was crafted with only one interest in mind - providing the best possible service at the lowest possible cost for our taxpayers,” said Brooks. “I am especially proud that we have been able to hold spending flat without reducing any of the quality of life services that our residents expect and deserve. From our County Parks system - the envy of communities across the Nation - to our first-rate public safety services, residents will see no service reductions in the coming year.”
No Local “One Shot” Revenue Enhancements
Through the conscientious use of federal stimulus revenue coupled with the aggressive management of resources and spending, the 2010 Monroe County budget has been balanced without the use of any local one-shot revenue opportunities.
“In addition to holding the line on property taxes, freezing non-mandated spending, and maintaining vital quality of life services for residents, this budget is balanced without the use of any local one-shot revenue opportunities,” stated Brooks. “The 2010 County Budget serves as a roadmap for a long-term strategy of fiscal restraint that we believe can produce similar positive results in future years.”
Medicaid Swap Yields Significant Savings
Bolstering the 2010 Budget are enormous savings achieved by adopting the Sales Tax Swap as the method of funding Monroe County’s local share of the Medicaid Program. As a result of County Executive Brooks’ 2007 decision to opt into the Swap, it is anticipated Monroe County will save $19 million over what the cost of Medicaid would have been under New York State’s Medicaid Cap for 2010. For the period of 2008 through 2010, the County projects that the Swap will save taxpayers over $30 million in Medicaid costs. Monroe was the only county in New York State to opt into the Sales Tax Swap Program.
“Due to Monroe County’s detailed understanding of historic sales tax trends, combined with recent sales tax revenue decline, our decision to opt into the Swap has already yielded real results,” continued Brooks. “The Medicaid Swap will serve to protect our taxpayers in today’s challenging economy, while the savings we are generating currently will provide long-term relief for years to come – a true win-win for County government and our entire community.”
Fighting For Mandate Reform
The single largest portion of the 2010 Operating Budget, mandated spending, totals $645 million and accounts for a staggering 81 percent of Monroe County’s spending for the coming year. Despite the burden of unfunded mandates, Monroe County was able to implement several innovative solutions, including improvements in DHS case management, Project SAVE, expanded employment programs, and diversion initiatives, to hold mandated costs to an increase of only $4,469,173 or 0.7% for 2010.
“The burden of unfunded mandates on our community remains immense and clearly the State’s practice of shifting costs to local governments is unsustainable,” stated Brooks. “That’s why we will continue to do everything in our power to fight for greater control over how our local tax dollars are ultimately spent, while also developing creative, outside the box solutions to help protect taxpayers.”
Setting a Precedent for Future Prosperity
“As overburdened taxpayers across New York are facing vital service reductions and property tax hikes from State and local governments alike, Monroe County is truly proud to present a budget that provides our community with much needed stability and security,” concluded Brooks. “Despite undeniable future challenges, I am confident by working together with a spirit of collaboration and cooperation we will build upon the success of the 2010 County Budget and secure a bright future for our community’s taxpayers and families.”
