On Monday, Oct. 15, I got my first look at the county executive’s proposed 2013 budget and like you, I was extremely disappointed to see that he asked county taxpayers to pay higher taxes. I firmly believe that county government cannot and should not ask taxpayers to pay higher property taxes and I don’t think everything has been done to avoid that.

The county executive’s request for a 3.4 percent tax increase is now on the table and my colleagues and I in the Minority Caucus are working diligently to get it off. It is going to take a lot of work, but I believe with the necessary adjustments and amendments we can adopt a budget that doesn’t increase taxpayers’ cost and still provides necessary services.

When facing a budget deficit, the easy choice is to ask taxpayers for just a “little more,” but I don’t believe in taking the easy way out of a problem. My disappointment with the budget excelled when I watched the County Executive’s press conference and how he belittled the tax increase.  We are already paying the highest taxes in the country, any increase is concerning.  Adding a few dollars here and an extra penny there is how we got into the position taxpayers face today. If the county executive thinks so little of the proposed tax rate increase, I have to question if he truly is in touch with his constituents. The bottom line is: we can’t continue asking for taxpayers to pay more.

That being said, it won’t be easy. The Legislature must break apart the county executive’s budget, examine the expenditures and determine if we are looking at a realistic budget. To help with the process, the Legislature will conduct at least three days of budget hearings with the county’s departments and host a public hearing to collect resident comment. This allows the Legislature to question departments and gain the necessary information to shape the budget and meet the needs of the county and residents.

Budget hearings will be held Nov. 13-15. On the following Monday, Nov. 19, residents are encouraged to attend the public hearing at 5 p.m. in Legislative Chambers, 92 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY, 14202 to voice their opinion. We want to hear what you think. I have already heard from many residents who adamantly oppose any tax increase, and I couldn’t agree more. They are not only angry that a tax proposal would come during this difficult time, but many have serious concerns. They already struggle to pay thousands of dollars in town, school and county taxes and adding a few more dollars onto that burden IS asking too much for some.

There are certain areas within the budget that need to be scrutinized and I think the Legislature will soon have a better idea of how to cut that tax increase proposal. My colleague Edward Rath has requested a budget hearing to examine fringe benefits costs, including health care and pension for employees, and I lend my support to that request. I think it will best serve the taxpayers if we can hear from professionals and officials on the topic and determine what the true cost of fringe benefits is.

I encourage all Erie County residents to get involved because ultimately the decisions of your elected officials will affect you. I am currently hosting a survey on my website, www.erie.gov/legislature/district11 to collect input from residents about the proposed budget and tax increase. Please take a moment to take this short survey. I welcome anyone with a question or concern, to please contact my office at (716) 858-8850 or by email at john.mills@erie.gov. I look forward to hearing from you.