CHAIRMAN’S COLUMN FOR 12/7/2017 REGISTER STAR
2018 COUNTY BUDGET
Next Wednesday, December 13, the Columbia County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on the proposed 2018 county budget, followed up by a vote in the regular meeting to approve or disapprove the spending plan.
This year, we began budget review and preparation even earlier than usual. Going into budget preparations, our goal was to continue to strive for long-term financial stability by increasing the fund balance and cash reserves, and sustaining strong revenue streams.
Thanks to the hard work of department heads, committee chairs and committee members, I believe we have arrived at a plan that balances existing needs with future considerations. Also heavily involved throughout the process were Treasurer P.J. Keeler, Controller Ron Caponera, Supervisors/Deputy Chairmen Ronald Knott and Richard Keaveny, Supervisors William Hughes, Jr. and Pat Grattan, and Human Resources Director Michaele Williams-Riordan.
This budget has been composed with no cuts in services for residents, no reduction in programs, and no county work force reduction while, importantly, the county remains attuned to the needs of those who may face adverse personal situations. With an eye toward our future, with this budget the county continues its commitment to Columbia-Greene Community College, as well as making additions to public safety in the form of a new emergency services training center.
With all of these issues in mind, we have succeeded in formulating a preliminary budget that calls for a 1.82 percent tax levy increase, keeping within the state-imposed tax cap. Although the 2018 tax levy rises 1.82 percent, the overall effect on the average homeowner in their tax bill will amount to a decrease of 3.8 percent. This comes as a result of taxable property values in the county having risen more than $83 million.
On another note, in 2017 the county’s bond rating was elevated from Aa 3 negative to Aa 3, this continues for 2018 – this is particularly helpful when applied to borrowing situations.
A word on the tax cap. Year after year, for instance, it forces some municipalities to hold off on undertaking important infrastructure projects as they are forced to choose among all its immediate concerns. Over time, this leaves projects falling by the wayside, resulting in potential safety issues. Fortunately, at the county we have managed to balance those concerns while remaining within the limitations imposed by the tax cap. This requires keeping a constant eye on revenues and expenditures starting day one of the new year.
One of the ways we have employed to help hold down costs is through the Countywide Shared Services Property Tax Savings Plan, which makes use of intermunicipal agreements between the county and its towns in a number of areas. These include sharing Management Information Services, which offers website design, database management, and other information technology services;
sharing Real Property tax services; sharing Human Resources training; and providing less expensive paper and office supplies. Looking ahead, we are hopeful that the state will amend existing legislation to allow smaller municipalities to participate in health insurance coverages at a lower rate.
At the end of the day, with an unemployment rate that currently stands at 3.4 percent, the lowest in the state, county residents should be proud of contributing to a stable economic environment that benefits us all.