Increased sales tax revenue leads to a reduction in tax rate as Livingston County Takes Proposed Budget for 2022 | Local news

“This is a very rare situation, a preliminary budget proposal that lowers both the tax rate and the tax levy,” said Coyle.

Coyle, who also serves as the county budget officer, has proposed a total budget of $ 168,430,466, an increase of $ 3,988,568, or 2.4%, from the current spending plan of $ 164,441,898.

The preliminary budget is for a tax rate of $ 7.77, which is 22 cents, or 2.66%, compared to the $ 7.99 rate of $ 7.99 per $ 1,000 of estimated annual value 2021 corresponds.

The tax levy, or total amount of tax levied on property in the county, will decrease 1.83% or $ 550,000 to $ 29,448,963. The district’s calculated tax cap was around 2%, which is the amount by which the district could have increased its levy. The current royalty is $ 29,999,065.

“Valuation changes aside, the average homeowner with a single-family home valued at $ 135,227 will see their county tax drop nearly $ 29 under this plan,” Coyle said. “The county property taxes will decrease slightly for most taxpayers in the county. Those property owners with tax increases will grow upwards solely because of the fluctuations in valuation. “

The total appraisal value for Livingston County real estate is $ 3,788,256,635 for 2022, an increase of $ 31,973,629 from 2021. The current total appraisal value of Livingston County properties is $ 3,756,283,006.

The county used $ 7,750,083 in earmarked fund credits for the proposed 2022 budget. For its 2021 spending plan, the county has budgeted to use $ 6,503,834 in fund balances.

Coyle said an increased sales tax – the result of both rising inflation prices and increased consumer demand – “was the main factor that helped lower the rate and levy”.

Sales tax revenue increased significantly, Coyle said, 17%, or $ 4.5 million, year over year.

The income from the Internet sales tax had increased exponentially compared to the previous year, said Coyle.

A public hearing on the budget is planned for November 17 as part of the regular Supervisory Board meeting. The meeting is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. in the Boardroom of the Livingston County Government Center, 6 Court St., Geneseo.

Coyle said in a statement that the proposed budget is solid, stable and balanced, while also being in line with the guidelines, goals and objectives of the county’s strategic plan. Despite recent troubles, he said residents had reasons to be optimistic about the county’s outbreak from the pandemic.

“The Livingston County government continues to operate at a high level in an environment challenged by the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Coyle said. “The collective response from the county government has been just incredible, and I would like to personally thank the county government staff for their public service. This budget is financially sound, balanced and future-oriented. I look forward to the public inspection, review and eventual acceptance. “

For the past 12 months, the federal government has provided the counties with the necessary incentive funds and reimbursements through the CARES Act and the American Rescue Plan Act, Coyle said.

At $ 12.2 million over multiple budget cycles, funding was fundamental for Livingston County, Coyle said.

The aid funds are not included in the 2022 budget in the form of recurring income or compensation for recurring expenses. County officials have advised that funding decisions regarding ARPA use will need to be made shortly.

According to Coyle’s budget message, the 2022 budget contains numerous temporary grants from the state and federal government, including many funds that flow through the Ministry of Health for COVID-related program projects.

The sheriff’s office “is still in an enviable position for embarking federal prisoners from the service of the US Marshal. This represents significant revenue for the county, which in turn we are able to put in dedicated reserves of $ 1 million annually, ”said the budget statement.

As in previous years, the county board of directors will continue to provide financial support to nonprofit organizations such as the Livingston Arts Council, the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Livingston County, and the Pioneer Library System, among others. Several of these organizations will receive top-ups in the 2022 budget, Coyle said.

Looking ahead, Coyle said, the county will continue to implement its strategic plan. Livingston County has more than $ 10 million in federal USDA ReConnect funding that will be used for the Light Up Livingston broadband expansion initiative. Several solar projects with varying degrees of completion are underway in the entire district. Many of them have a PILOT component that boosts the coffers of the participating local governments at the project site. The county’s five-year capital improvement plan (CIP) includes provisions for a number of infrastructure-related projects, including water, sewer, roads, bridges and broadband.

Coyle said the county’s affairs were fine from a financial management perspective. The fund balance and reserve positions are both strong. The 2020 early retirement incentive saved significant local stocks. The Office of the State Comptroller has stated that Livingston County’s Fiscal Stress Score is lower than last year and its 2020 audit verdict was clean.