Broome Legislature Finance Committee Zooms in on Budget Plan

The Broome County Legislature is continuing its work on the proposed 2021 budget that, in spite of the County racking up expenses due to response to the COVID-19 pandemic, carries a small property tax decrease.

October 13, the Finance Committee is scheduled to hear from public works and transportation at 4:30 p.m. via Zoom conference with a public hearing planned for 5 p.m. October 14 via video conference. 

County Executive Jason Garnar is proposing a $402-million budget that includes a hiring freeze and a moratorium on county travel. In addition, dozens of county employees opted to take a voluntary furlough as the pandemic broke out in the spring. 

Broome, like many other counties in New York, remains under a state of emergency and the region is continuing to struggle with the latest outbreak of coronavirus diagnosis and another round of restrictions on gatherings and in-school learning. 

Sales tax revenues dried up during the shut-down of businesses along with casino and hotel revenues.  Money was also lost in Department of Motor Vehicle fees. 

Prior to the outbreak, Garnar touted the build-up of a $15-million fund balance, which the Democrat says has been a bit safety net during the current crisis.

Legislative work on the budget proposal will continue through the beginning of next month with a Special Session of the Legislature scheduled for November 9^th for final consideration of the spending plan. 

ZOOM ACCESS FOR the October 13-2020 Meeting ID: 969 9133 6928

Dial in – 1-646-558-8656

https://broome.zoom.us/j/96991336928?pw d=cSs1N3VxMlBITytENXRMaUovZEhrdz09

The access information for the October 14 public hearing is:

Meeting ID: 974 7347 3427

Dial in - 1-646-558-8656

https://broome.zoom.us/j/97473473427