Staying Afloat

In tough economic times, Onondaga County has been able to balance its budget when many others are sinking deep into the red.

Onondaga County executive Joanne Mahoney didn’t even need to raise property taxes when she proposed a 1.7% increase for next years budget. With over 500,000 residents to look after, Onondaga County’s budget is $1.2 billion.

Unlike most states, New York requires its counties to pay 52% of the Medicaid expenses for their residents. In order to create more revenue to pay for Medicaid expenses Onondaga County could either raise property or sales taxes.

Onondaga County chose to lift a tax on gas instead of raising property taxes.

“The last resort is property taxes.” Mahoney said.

Mahoney stated that she chose to lift the gas cap because most people buying gas could afford the tax increase. She could not say the same about raising property taxes.

“There is a real balance” Mahoney later adding when talking about raising taxes.