2023 Adopted County Budget

Each year, the Schenectady County Manager delivers a Tentative Operating Budget to the Schenectady County Legislature. Over the course of several public meetings, the Schenectady County Legislature reviews the budget, receives public comment, proposes amendments, and votes to adopt the budget for the year.

Sound Fiscal Management Leads to BIG Savings!

Schenectady County continues to develop creative solutions to make government more efficient and effective while holding the line on taxes. The 2023 budget keeps the tax levy flat, with the seven year average at 0%.

What does this mean? Schenectady County's tax levy is the same as it was in 2016, saving property owners over $42 million had taxes been raised to the maximum allowed under the NYS Tax Cap.

Did You Know?

Your county taxes only account for 21 cents of every dollar of property taxes you pay each year. School district, municipal, and special district taxes account for over 3/4 of your annual tax bill.

Over 47% of the proposed county property tax levy is allocated to the County's share of Medicaid. Other mandated costs include, Temporary Assistance programs, child welfare, Community College charge backs, early intervention and pre-school education, Probation, Foster Care, and Public Health.

Economic Development

Transforming neighborhoods, creating jobs, revitalizing vacant and underutilized properties to increase economic activity and offset property taxes.

Senior Services

Supporting seniors with home-delivered and congregate meals, at-home personal care services, medical transportation, and educational opportunities.

Education

Building a qualified workforce for local jobs by continuing the County's historic investments in SUNY Schenectady and the Schenectady County Job Training Agency.

The 2023-2028 Capital Improvement Program represents a historic $49 million investment in the County's buildings and infrastructure.

Roads & Bridges

$18.5 million to fund critical improvements to roads and bridges, including 60 miles of preventative maintenance and 20 miles of new roads.

$250 Property Tax Rebate

Establishes the 2023 Schenectady County Homeowners $250 Rebate Program to provide $9 million in relief to approximately 34,500 homeowners. Eligibility will be based on the requirements for New York State’s Basic, Enhanced, and Credit STAR programs.

Increasing Access to Critical Health Services

Allocates $4 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to Hometown Health to transform the abandoned Rite Aid at the corner of State Street and Brandywine Avenue into a modern dental practice serving over 19,000 mostly low-income residents. The new facility will serve the increased demand in dental patients since Ellis Hospital discontinued its dental services and residency program.

Eliminating Barriers to Public Employment

Creates a one-year pilot program to eliminate civil services exam fees for county and local positions. This will eliminate a barrier for low-income job seekers and make it easier to recruit candidates to take the exams for civil service positions available at the county and local municipalities.

Preparing for the Future

Strengthens the county’s Pandemic stockpile to ensure that staff will have the tools they need to serve residents in the event of a crisis. This includes personal protective equipment, sanitizer, cleaning supplies, syringes, and other safety materials.