Update Tuesday, Nov. 26:
The Steuben County Legislature passed its $260 million budget during a special meeting Monday. It passed unanimously.
The tax levy is increasing by 1.76 percent in the county. However, the average tax rate for property owners is decreasing by 4.7 percent due to a “continued rise in assessed property values,” according to Steuben County Manager Jack Wheeler.
“Long and short, we had a lot of fiscal pressures, especially keeping up with salaries to keep market rates so we can attract and retain qualified staff, provide services,” said Wheeler. “We have state mandates that we have to pay for, especially when it comes to Medicaid, but this keeps up with our roads and bridges, our investment in public safety. So I think [it is] a responsible budget.“
Wheeler said some residents’ property taxes will go down and some will go up depending on the city, town or village that they live in within Steuben County. However, he said that averaged across the county, the tax rate would be approximately $11 for every $100,000 in assessed property value.
County officials boast that the 2025 budget includes a decrease in the average tax rate for property owners for the 12th consecutive year.
Major expenses to the county in the new budget include public safety and infrastructure, competitive market-rate salaries and state-mandated services like Medicaid, special education and pre-K, and veterans’ services.
“That's why sales tax, other things, state aid, federal aid, are so important,” said Wheeler. “So that we have the ability to provide the local services that the residents want, [that] they rely upon, like roads and bridges, public safety, 911, aging services, youth services.“
County officials say despite these high costs, the county will continue to support local programs while fulfilling state mandates.
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Steuben County has proposed a nearly $260 million budget for 2025.
County officials presented a budget on Nov. 12 with an increased property tax levy of 1.76 percent, which is just below the allowable increase under the state property tax cap of 2 percent.
The budget includes large expenses such as salaries, which are increasing based on market rates for comparable public-sector positions in the region. Steuben County estimates an increase of nearly $5 million for salaries and wages in the new year for a total proposed $91.8 million. The number also includes additional overtime, health insurance and retirement costs.
State-mandated programs show a nearly 5 percent increase in costs, which come out to $38 million. That number covers programs such as Medicaid and safety-net costs for temporary housing for the homeless, veterans’ services and the Office for the Aging.
The county is also investing in capital projects and equipment in 2025, including $4 million for IT infrastructure, elevator upgrades and replacement of some kitchen appliances for the jail, to name a few.
Infrastructure for roads and bridges, including equipment, snow removal and general repairs is nearly $24 million. Public safety, including law enforcement and emergency services, makes up $26 million.
A public hearing and vote on the proposed Steuben County budget is set for Monday, Nov. 25 at 11:30 a.m. in the town of Bath.
The proposed 2025 budget and budget presentation by County Manager Jack Wheeler can be found on the county website.