Poloncarz rolls out new budget plan
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BUFFALO, N.Y. — Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz is laying out a new four-year plan after legislators denied his request to raise property taxes.
That plan could again include raising taxes, or make cuts to libraries, cultural organizations, rodent control and other programs.
Poloncarz proposed a property tax increase that would have cost about $1.50 a month for the average homeowner, but legislators voted that plan down in December.
Now, Polocarz says there's an eight million dollar budget gap for this year, and an $8 million $9 million gap in subsequent years.
"Considering over 90 percent of our budget is mandated, if we do not have a significant revenue increase from sales tax or a small property tax increase in the future, we are going to have to cut the services the public's demanding and that is not right," said Poloncarz, (D).
Poloncarz says he'll also use some of the fund balance and job reductions to close the gap.