County budget officer warns of dire times

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September 24, 2009

By JOE LoTEMPLIO The Press Republican Thu Sep 24, 2009, 11:28 PM EDT

PLATTSBURGH — With a state budget gap of about $2.1 billion and widening, county governments are likely to feel the pinch this coming budget season.

Clinton County Administrator Michael Zurlo, who serves as the county's budget officer, told legislators Wednesday night that the budget process for 2010 could be a rough one.

"We are anticipating difficult times ahead," he said.

With a projected increase of about $2 million in State Retirement Fund costs on the horizon and possible reductions in state funding for other programs, the county could feel the pinch, Zurlo said.

The Association of Counties has been pleading with the state for no more unfunded mandates, but there have been no guarantees.

Zurlo also said the county's sales-tax revenue, which has been bountiful the past decade, appears to be leveling off a bit.

The 2009 budget totaled about $157 million and saw an increase in the tax levy of 0.7 percent and a decrease in the composite tax rate of $6.23 per $1,000 of assessed property value to $6.01.

The tax levy is the difference between the government's total expenses and total revenue, the remainder having to be raised by property taxes.

Tax bills fluctuate with the property assessment, so it is the tax levy that is the better determinant of individual tax bills, not the tax rate.

Zurlo will be preparing a proposed county spending plan for 2010 in the next few weeks.

The County Legislature is expected to vote on a final budget in mid-December.

"I am going to attempt to do this without reductions in personnel and services, but if we can't, then this body will have to discuss that," Zurlo told legislators.

E-mail Joe LoTemplio at: jlotemplio@pressrepublican.com