County Executive Mark Poloncarz called his 2017 budget proposal a "common sense" plan, totaling a less than one percent increase over last year's budget.
The 2017 budget is a .69% increase over last year's, amounting to a General Fund of $1,454,648,305.
Highlights of the 2017 budget include:
- $4 million increase over 2016 for capital projects like road and bridge improvements; purchasing new equipment like plows
- Increase in operational funding for Buffalo and Erie County Public Library by $469,483
- $500,000 for anti-poverty initiatives
- Continue funding to redevelop Bethlehem Steel site in Lackawanna to attract new manufacturing
- Provide funds for senior citizen transport through the "Going Places" program
- $80,000 for youth educational, anti-crime, learning and cultural development in cities and towns across Erie County
- 2-cent property tax decrease
