Another tax increase: County budget reveals lost opportunity to cut expenses

Jason Zona, a Democrat, spearheaded a charge to cut spending.

Kathryn Lance, a Republican from Wheatfield, voted against a tax increase.

Niagara County residents will be experiencing a 1.9% property tax increase next year as a result of a 10-5 vote approving the 2013 county budget at their December 18 meeting.

Voting with the Democratic minority members in opposition to the increase were Legislators Kathryn Lance (R-Wheatfield) and Cheree Copelin (R-Niagara Falls).

County Manager Jeff Glatz’s original budget proposal would have increased taxes by nearly double the amount finally settled upon by the legislature. Under Glatz’s original plan, property tax rates would have jumped up 3.7%, possibly requiring a supermajority 60% vote of the legislators to override the state 2% property tax cap.

Democratic Legislators Owen T. Steed, Dennis F. Virtuoso, and Jason A. Zona submitted a number of resolutions amending the proposed budget to avoid any tax increase, and were able to garner the unanimous support of the body on eleven, bringing the proposed increase below 2%.

Among the budget amendments unanimously approved were:

* The County Treasurer supported increase of sales tax estimates
* Reduction of contingency funds
* Reduction of various equipment and supply funds
* Elimination of certain consultant expenses
* Reduced postage line increase
* Across the board 5% reduction for office supplies

While many of the other Democratic proposals to cut spending were voted down along party lines, one area of contention within the legislature continues to be Glatz’s unilateral decision to close the C&D landfill (as reported in the December 11, 2012 Reporter). The Democratic proposal to restore funding for the salaries of the two positions eliminated mid-year saw bi-partisan support to restore funding primarily by offsetting it with the reduction in a legal expense fund. The proposal ultimately failed as the Majority voted 9-6 to uphold Glatz’s decision eliminating the positions. Legislators Lance, W. Keith McNall, and Anthony Nemi joined with the minority.

The Reporter attempted to contact Legislators Lance and Copelin for comment on their vote against the overall budget but have not received comment as of press time.

Of note regarding their “No” votes is the fact that the legislative majority did not present any resolutions amending the proposed budget reducing the 2013 tax increases.

Among other items the Democratic minority proposed were:

* Eliminating the Public Information Officer, Auditor, and Legislator Clerk positions (viewed as political patronage jobs by the Minority members)
* Eliminating a 33% pay raise for Personnel Officer
* Reducing $150,000 line item in County Clerk budget appropriated to pay for relocation services to move county records to new storage facility in Newfane (Democrats argued that county workers should be used to avoid additional cost to taxpayers).