Revised Broome Budget Moves Forward

A budget just passed by Broome County Legislators further lowers the property tax increase a little more than the original proposal under seven amendments made to the ledger.

If County Executive Debra Preston doesn’t veto the revisions, the county’s tax levy would increase 1.88% from the original proposed increase of 2.21%.

The revised budget comes in at $367 million and adds 13 sheriff’s deputies for the planned expansion of the county jail.

The plan also increases nursing staff at the county-owned Willow Point Nursing home but still calls for outsourcing the Central Kitchen division to a private entity.  Central Kitchen employs close to 80 county workers and prepares over a million meals a year for the nursing home, jail, senior centers and Meals on Wheels.

Amamark Corporation has put in a bid of $3.4 million for a five year contract to take over the service.  The company has said the current Central Kitchen staff would be given the chance to apply for positions with the company.

A public hearing on the amendments will be held at 5 p.m. November 12.  The County Executive has until November 19 to veto with a final budget in place by November 27 following any veto override attempts.