Preston Proposes $370 Million Broome County Budget

Broome County Executive Debra Preston has sent a $370 million budget proposal to the legislature.

Preston said her spending plan would raise the county property tax rate by 0.77 percent in 2017.

In her budget message to county lawmakers on Thursday, Preston said her administration has made "some very difficult decisions" control spending in the past. She said the decisions have paid off, allowing her to "craft a responsible budget" without cutting services and staying within the state tax cap.

The county executive noted that she has recommended that local governments receive more sales tax revenue in the next year. She recalled that when she took office in 2012, she had promised to return to a 50/50 sales tax split with the county's municipalities within seven years.

Last November, the legislature adopted a $367 million budget that carried a tax levy increase of 1.88 percent.

Lawmakers will review Preston's new spending plan over the next several weeks before deciding whether to make any changes.

For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.