Monroe County Budget Solution Survey

We Want Your Ideas!

As you are aware, unfunded mandates forced on Monroe County by State government have created a fiscal crisis for our community. As County Executive, I have made it a top priority to reduce the cost and size of government, while preserving the quality of life services that residents need and deserve. Although County government continues to streamline services and do more with less, our community continues to face a significant gap in financial resources.

That is why I am asking the residents of our community to offer input and ideas for a permanent solution that will eliminate our community's resource gap and ensure fiscal stability across our region.

The one option that I will not consider is an increase in the County property tax rate. Property taxpayers in this community are overburdened, and increasing the property tax rate will damage our economy and force people away from our region.

There are several other options listed below for service reductions and revenue raising opportunities. These are all tough decisions, and no reduction in services or new expenses will come without some pain. However, this fiscal crisis calls for a bold and innovative solution, which is why we are calling upon the residents of Monroe County to step up to the plate and offer their input and ideas for potential solutions to close this community resource gap.

I look forward to the results of this survey and to reading your unique
ideas as we continue to work together to ensure the success of our local
economy for years to come.

Thank you!

Maggie Brooks
Monroe County Executive

1. Control Expenses/Reduce Services:

The County only has local control over 29% of its budget - 71% is mandated spending by the state and federal governments. The following areas have historically been discussed for potential cuts because they are not mandated. Please select the service reductions and cuts that you think will best solve the community resource gap, currently estimated to be $29 million.

Choose One or More Expenses:
Eliminate operations of County Parks and Zoo (Potential Savings: $12.8 million)
Reduce Public Safety Services, including the Sheriff's Road Patrol, support for downtown police patrol and County 911 Call Center (Potential Savings: $31 million)
Cut funding for Downtown Library and Library Central Services (Potential Savings: $7.8 million)
Cut all County support of arts and cultural programs (Potential Savings: $1.3 million)
Delay road and bridge repairs (Potential Savings: $2 million)
Layoff 600 County Personnel (Potential Savings: $20 million)

2. Raise Revenues:

Please select the following revenue raising opportunities that you think will best solve the $29 million community resource gap.

Choose One or More Revenues:
Raise County Sales Tax (Requires State Legislation)
Enact a sin tax on tobacco and alcohol purchases (Requires State Legislation)
Increase local user fees, including parks services, golf and zoo fees and mortgage filing fees

If you have a unique suggestion, please enter it below:

Name:

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