Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz unveiled his 2025 budget proposal on Tuesday that will bring the county its lowest property tax rate ever.
A big part of this budget proposal is the administration’s plan to, once again, lower Erie County’s property tax rate from $3.39 in 2024 down to $3.28 in 2025, which is an 11-cent decrease.
"This is a full $1.75 per-thousand, or 35% less than it was when I took office, and county property owners are feeling the relief," said Poloncarz during Tuesday's announcement. "This is just one of the highlights of a budget that stays the course, while maintaining investments in programs and services that are important to county residents."
Poloncarz adds that 85% of the county budget is mandated expenses imposed by state and federal governments.
The budget also calls for an increase in funding to libraries of 4.29%, or $1.3 million. Tourism promotion through Visit Buffalo Niagara will benefit greatly from a local law creating a hotel tax on vacation rentals.
The budget contains funding for nearly $116 million in capital investment for 2025, including:
- $2.6 million for parks improvements system-wide;
- $4.5 million in work at the Buffalo & Erie County Central Library;
- $7 million in various countywide technology upgrades;
- $10 million investment in SUNY Erie, including a new North Campus Sports Complex;
- $15 million in vital public safety projects, including replacement of CPS dispatch system, critical DHSES communications building and a new “Air Two” Sheriff Helicopter.
"After taking advantage of a historic influx of resources after COVID with the roll-out of new programs and investments, 2025 is a status-quo budget. It acknowledges the reality of tighter budgets going forward as increases in mandated expenses are coupled with growing revenue constraints," added Poloncarz. "Even so, the proposed budget will deliver the programs and services the public relies on/demands in a budget-conscious way that limits spending to below current inflation."