Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - In January, more than half of Onondaga County residents will see larger tax bills arrive. The County's 2011 budget, finalized Thursday, guarantees higher taxes for most county residents. Thursday's meeting of the County Legislature was rife with debate, but the loudest protests may have come from Legislators representing suburban districts because they knew their taxes were about to jump. In the Town of Lysander, for example, people paid $414 in county taxes per $100,000 of assessed value this year. Next year, their bill will increase almost 50 percent to $614. Town of Lysander residents may be pleased that while their county taxes increase, their Town taxes will drop due to some of the good fund balance they've accumulated. "The rationale for that is to try and offset to some degree the big hit people are going to be taking on their county line item," said Lysander Town Supervisor Barry Bullis. In Solvay, where residents will see their county bill decrease, they will still pay more in taxes during 2011. There, Village Treasurer Mike Fecco says, tax line will be on the rise. "It's going to be a big hit, however we will get somewhat of a break on the county side, not enough to offset the increase," he said. Fecco says Geddes has already told the Village of Solvay that due to a tight budget situation, they will only be able to contribute about one third of what they've previously given them toward the library. "There's very little we can do outside of cutting services or cutting manpower or both and nobody wants to do that," said Fecco. The other option, of course, is to raise taxes. All but three towns - Geddes, Skaneateles and Spafford - will see an increase in their County taxes. Most villages and the City of Syracuse will see decreases. Find out what you will pay in taxes.
Budget battles over in Onondaga County - 8 vetoes stand
October 21
Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - After weeks of politics and procedure, Onondaga County lawmakers are finally finished with the 2011 budget. More than half of the County's residents will see a tax bill increase but others will see a decrease.
Thursday was the first time even seasoned legislators and county officials could remember a meeting to override budget vetoes. It was complete with intense debates, but in the end only three of County Executive Joanie Mahoney's eleven vetoes were overridden.
"I think it's a travesty," said Republican 14th District Legislator Casey Jordan, "I think today was a dark day in County history with these types of tax increases and I guess I'm really disappointed in what happened today."
The County Executive, who was the target of significant criticism, sees things differently. "There is nobody who is going to pay double or triple of anything, particularly not their tax bill," said Mahoney.
The Republican majority was unable to rally enough votes to override Mahoney's veto of $12 million of fund balance. Their leadership wanted to take the money out of the County's savings account to help keep taxes lower, but they needed at least one Democrat to come over to override any veto. After what was likely the largest debate of the day, votes to overturn the veto were not cast by the necessary 13 legislators.
"The vote today opted to take no money in these times, no money out of fund balance to help reduce this property tax increase, it's inconceivable," said Republican 5th District Legislator Kathy Rapp.
"Because we had taken so many one shot adjustments this year if we don't have the flexibility we're going to have a real budget problem 12 months from now," said Democratic 9th District Legislator Mark Stanczyk.
Because many of her vetoes were allowed to stand, Mahoney says that many county services will remain uncut. She had mentioned closing parks or the central library, as well as not paving roads, as possible ways to save. Some cuts remain possible mid-year, she says, and her office will continue to monitor the financial situation.
Mahoney says the county is already looking at a minimum 30 million dollar budget gap for 2012.
The Legislature did not vote on Mahoney's veto of the sale of the Sheriff's Air 1 helicopter, meaning that veto will stand. Money from selling the helicopter will not be factored into the budget. The Republican majority conceded it did not have the votes to override the veto.
The argument over Air 1 was likely the loudest and most public of the budget fights. The Sheriff's Office and its supporters made many attempts to convince the Legislature that the helicopter should be fully funded, while some legislators fought for it to be grounded and sold.
The Sheriff's Office is now left with a compromise, six months worth of funding for the helicopter program and the requirement to get commercial certification that will allow the department to charge for emergency rescues performed by the helicopter. The Sheriff will also create a foundation to help defer the cost of flying Air 1. "It leaves us with the possibility of being able to save Air 1 during the course of the year," said Sheriff Kevin Walsh.
"The Sheriff is working very hard to come up with some alternate sources and we will listen to anything that the Sheriff comes up with - but July 1st, as far as I'm concerned, the helicopter is for sale," said Legislature Chairman Jim Rhinehart. "The County Legislature approved the purchase of it and the County Legislature will approve the sale of it."
County Executive's veto on Air 1 sale stands
October 21
Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - While weighing County Executive Joanie Mahoney's vetoes on budget items, the Onondaga County Legislature has decided not to reconsider her determination on Air 1.
The initial budget devised by the Onondaga County Legislature accounted for money raised from the sale of Air 1 after six months. On Monday, Mahoney vetoed the item, ensuring that the Onondaga County Sheriff's Department could keep its rescue helicopter.
On Thursday, the legislature voted not to reconsider the item Mahoney had vetoed. The money is out of the budget and the legislature will not challenge Mahoney's veto.
Air 1's funding will only be in place for six months. The legislature hopes that the Sheriff's Office will be able to find a way to finance the helicopter on its own.
County Legislature to consider 11 budget vetoes
Oct. 20
Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - Thursday's agenda for the Onondaga County Legislature includes consideration of 11 items the County Executive vetoed in the 2011 county budget. Included in those vetoes is the sale of the Air 1 Emergency Helicopter.
Along with announcing the nine vetoes, the County Executive proposed a tax levy compromise of $158 million. She had originally proposed a $180 million levy, and the legislature returned with a $135 million proposal.
"I think I have a responsibility to the people who live here to not pretend that it's not a problem and to spend all of the money the legislature has appropriated in this budget," said County Executive Joanie Mahoney. "I believe I have a responsibility to look out ahead, see what is coming, and try to avoid a problem."
The list of vetoes includes:
- Helicopter: Increase in revenues, $1,800,000
- Parks and Recreation Department: Increase $100,000 (logging revenues)
- Fund balance: Increase $12,000,000
- Parks Special Events: Increase in revenues, $200,000
- County General Interfund Transfer: Increase $1,000,000
- Reserve for Bonded Debt: Increase $3,000,000
- Real Property Tax Countywide: Increase $3,000,000
- Information Technology: Increase $152,080
- Insurance Fund Balance: Increase $1,500,000
- Water Environment Protection Fund Balance: Increase $1,000,000
- PILOTS: Increase in Revenues, $200,000
The Legislature is scheduled to meet at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, and would need 13 votes to override the Executives' vetoes. They have until Monday October 25 to act, or the budget will remain as it stands.
Legislature poised to vote on sale of Air 1 Helicopter
October 19
Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - After being the subject of budget controversy for a number of weeks, the Onondaga County Legislature is poised to make a final decision on whether it will sell the Sheriff's Air 1 Emergency Helicopter. Monday, the County Executive vetoed the line of the budget that included revenue from that sale, forcing the Legislature to consider voting to overturn her decision.
The budget approved by the Legislature last week funds the program for six months, with plans to sell it afterward. Due to County Executive Joanie Mahoney's veto, the Air 1 Helicopter will be fully funded next year, unless the Legislature votes to overturn her veto.
"The idea that I'm going to support a veto after all that hard work and all those difficult decisions is unlikely," said 5th District Legislator Kathy Rapp.
Meanwhile, there are lawmakers on both sides of the aisle who do support keeping Air 1 funded, at least for half the year. That plan would include giving the Sheriff time to work on other sources to pay for the program.
"I was told they had an agreement with the Sheriff. I talked to the Sheriff and we would work it out so I would not support overriding the County Executives veto at this point," said 12th District Legislator Bob DeMore.
"I think the legislators have a pretty good understanding of what's at stake here. Again, it all comes down to taxing. Any veto that is sustained on Thursday will raise people's property taxes," said Legislature Chairman Jim Rhinehart.
Rhinehart explains that 13 votes are needed from the legislature in order to override the County Executive's veto.
In addition to the cut to Air 1, lawmakers whittled away $45 million from Mahoney's original budget plan. She has until Wednesday to issue any other vetoes, and the Legislature will consider them Thursday morning at 10:00 in their chambers.
County Executive vetoes sale of Air 1 Helicopter
October 18
Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - After a considerable amount of debate among county lawmakers, County Executive Joanie Mahoney announced on Monday that Air 1 will remain a part of the Onondaga County Sheriff's Department.
In a press release, Mahoney noted that the county legislature's budget includes money to be spent to maintain the Onondaga County Sheriff's Department's helicopter as well as money that would be generated from the sale of the helicopter.
Mahoney vetoed the sale of Air 1. Now, the legislature will have a chance to allow the veto to stand or to override it. If the legislature overrides the veto, Air 1 will be sold. "I believe the Sheriff was led to believe the helicopter was saved, but at the same time the legislature has a revenue line in budget from the sale of the helicopter," said Mahoney. "So in an effort to clarify it I have vetoed the sale and we're just asking the Legislature to stand up and say 'Do you want to sell the helicopter, or don't you?', because I don't think it's clear right now."
