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Windsor town supervisor Carolyn Price and Vestal town supervisor John Schaffer during a radio interview on November 14, 2016. [Bob Joseph/WNBF News][/caption]

Two Broome County town supervisors are critical of a sudden move to restore a sales tax sharing formula for local governments.

The county legislature has voted to completely restore the 50/50 formula with municipalities by using $1.4 million from a reserve fund.

The sales tax change came just after Democrat Jason Garnar defeated Republican County Executive Debra Preston in last week's election.

Windsor town supervisor Carolyn Price and Vestal town supervisor John Schaffer are questioning the rush to implement the change at a time when the county is facing "significant fiscal stress."

Speaking on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program, the town supervisors said they do want the original sales tax split restored. But they suggested it would be smarter to wait to make an assessment after the county's fiscal year has ended.

Price and Schaffer say a thorough financial analysis of the county's cash and fund balance could then be conducted to determine if it makes sense to return to the 50/50 formula.

Under the revised sales tax revenue schedule, the Town of Vestal would receive nearly $196,000 early next year. The Town of Windsor would be in line to receive about $37,000.

Some Democratic elected officials and other county government observers say the legislature's quick move following the election was politically-motivated. They contend it's designed to make things tougher for the new Democratic county executive who will be working with a legislature with a strong Republican majority.

Price and Schaffer hope Preston will veto the sales tax maneuver.

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