After more than four hours of discussion the 2016 Oneida County budget has passed.

The greatest point of contention existed between Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente and some legislators, who had hoped to cut the property tax levy by 3-percent.

Taxes were cut by just less than 1.5-percent.  The property tax decrease amounts to 13-cents per $1,000 in assessed value.

Most of the cuts were made to the Partners in Prosperity Grant Program, which uses money from the Oneida Indian Nation settlement to fund various projects throughout the county.

Picente, who was a guest on First News With Keeler, said the cuts to the budget were fiscally irresponsible. He said in their quest for a political statement, at a time when the county is doing so well and moving forward, legislators took steps backwards

Picente also said the budget could jeopardize the county's bond rating.

 

 

 

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