Tentative Warren County budget for 2023 brings tax rate decrease
Budget includes more funding for road repairs, equipment
WARREN COUNTY, NY -- The Warren County Board of Supervisors on Friday set a November 18th public hearing on a $184 million tentative budget for 2023 that would bring a countywide tax rate decrease for the third straight year.
The proposed spending plan includes significant new investments in road improvements, increased resources for the countywide recycling program, funding for enhanced cybersecurity and improvements at Warren County-owned Countryside Adult Home.
Under the tentative spending plan, the countywide property tax rate would decrease by $0.32 to $3.578 per $1,000 in assessed value. (Rates per municipality will vary based on equalization rate).
That equates to a $6.40 lower tax bill for a family with a home assessed at $200,000.
Overall, higher costs for personnel, retirement and fuel drove a 6.1% spending increase for 2023. The overall property tax levy will increase $1.77 million, which is below the New York State tax cap that allowed an increase of up to $1.84 million.
Warren County will continue to have one of the lowest property tax burdens in New York State, while also having the lowest sales tax percentage (7%) in New York.
Highlights from the tentative budget:
- Allocate $7 million for paving county roads, the second year of an enhanced paving plan to improve road conditions.
- Salary adjustments will allow Warren County to be competitive with municipalities and the private sector to recruit and retain personnel. These adjustments occurred after concerns were raised in June 2022 about lagging salaries for many positions.
- Enhanced reserve funding for vehicles and Information Technology equipment.
- Projection to maintain fund balance amid concerns about possible economic downturn.
Said Frank Thomas, Stony Creek Town Supervisor and Warren County Budget Officer: “Our 2023 budget allows Warren County to continue its multi-year plan to maintain county public works infrastructure, including our roads and bridges, while investing in the workforce and equipment that we need to maintain vital services. We were also cautious with revenue projections in light of concerns that our economy may slow down in the coming months. But we are confident that our years of fiscally conservative budgeting will help us ride out whatever turbulence we may encounter.”
Said Kevin Geraghty, Warrensburg Supervisor and Chairman of the Warren County Board of Supervisors: “I would like to thank our budget team for their hard work to bring a fiscally responsible budget for 2023 amid uncertain forecasts for revenue and for the regional and national economy. We will continue our mission of providing the essential services that Warren County residents expect, while being cognizant of the need to keep property tax bills as low as possible to continue to make Warren County a great place to work and live.”
The Board of Supervisors will consider adopting the tentative budget following a public hearing at the November 18th, 2022, Board of Supervisors meeting.
A copy of Budget Officer Thomas’ presentation can be found here. In addition, the presentation of the tentative budget can be watched in an archived video posted on Warren County’s YouTube page here. The November 18th meeting will be livestreamed and video archived on this YouTube page as well.
A more in-depth breakdown of the proposed budget can be found here.
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