Earlier this month I released my proposed 2022 Erie County Budget. It is a spending plan that includes the lowest county property tax rate in decades. After overcoming significant uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 global pandemic, we are now in a comfortable position financially that allows for us to build momentum and continue the resurgence of economic development throughout Erie County.

The proposed budget is a balanced proposal that calls for an increase of investments in small businesses located throughout our region, provide necessary funding for services and programs that residents desire, and strategically invest in projects that will improve our community and our infrastructure for many years to come.

In addition to the unprecedented property tax rate, we have plans to make significant investments in law enforcement roads, parks, arts and cultural organizations and much more as we use feedback from the public on how best to expand the people’s mandates, including dedicated federal aid received from the American Rescue Plan for the construction of the ErieNet Open Access Network to eventually provide high capacity, high-speed fiber internet access. This is a conservative and responsible spending plan that aims to improve the quality of life for all Erie County residents. I look forward to the Erie County Legislature voting on my proposed budget in early December and helping make our community a stronger and healthier place that protects taxpayers by providing relief to homeowners with a property tax rate that is at its lowest point in sixty years.

I cannot stress enough the importance of having this spending plan approved by the Legislature and how the 2022 budget will help fund significant new investments in various sectors of our community, encourage small business revitalization efforts, and dedicate money for needed road and bridge work throughout Erie County. I encourage readers of The Bee to visit this website for a closer look at the proposed budget: www3.erie.gov/budget/county-budget. I thank you for your continued support and for helping our region persevere during the COVID-19 pandemic. Believe me when I say that the best is yet to come here in Erie County.