Broome 2023 Budget Promises Small Tax Cut

For a fifth year Broome County taxpayers are being promised a slight reduction in their property taxes.

In his newly proposed 2023 budget plan, Broome County Executive Jason Garnar proposes a reduction in the property tax levy by a tenth of a percent, reflecting growth in the County’s fund balance.

Garnar, who gave his budget address at the long-awaited development of a dilapidated former Endicott Johnson factory building in Johnson City September 14, touted saving taxpayer money while making investments to make Broome County “an even better place to live, work and visit.”

The message was the Democrat’s first in-person address in two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Garnar, who became Broome’s youngest county executive when he was elected in 2016, says the fund balance has grown from $240,000 in 2017 to $35-million by the end of 2021. Last year, Garnar’s budget called for a tax reduction of .12%.

The proposed ledger is calling for investing 688-thousand dollars more in the government workforce, improving compensations and upgrading over 700 positions over the past five years.

The plan also calls for a new multi-use building, outdoor ice rink and wiffle ball stadium at Grippen Park, new turf fields and lighting at the BAGSAI softball complex and various visitor amenities as part of what Garnar says is the biggest parks spending and upgrade proposal in the county’s history.

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The Small Community Fund is also slated for $1-million. The program assists non-profit agencies and municipalities to make upgrades. Grant money has been funneled over the years from the hotel/motel tax and, more recently, the American Rescue Act fund, to pay for such things as new parks and ball fields and supporting community festivals.

The budget address also included calls for continued investment in economic development, housing projects, veteran and mental health services, fighting substance abuse and continued repairs to miles of roads and bridges.