Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz announces 2025 proposed budget

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz’s administration released its proposed 2025 Erie County budget Tuesday morning.

The proposed budget is over $1.9 billion, an increase of $26.8 million from last year’s adopted budget as Poloncarz notes that 2024 was the largest single year of borrowing ever in the county at $174 million.

The budget calls for lowering of the Erie County property tax rate, an increase in funding for libraries, a $10 million investment in SUNY Erie and $15 million for public safety.

See the numbers below.

Property Tax Rate

Poloncarz is proposing to lower the tax rate from $3.39 per $1,000 for 2024 to $3.28 for 2025.

It would be the lowest property tax rate in Erie County history, Poloncarz said. It would also be the seventh year straight Poloncarz has sought to lower the property tax rate.

“This is a full $1.75 per thousand or 35% less than it was when I took office and county property owners are feeling the relief,” he said. “This is just one of the highlights of a budget that stays the course while maintaining investments in programs and services that are important to county residents.”

Sales Tax Revenue

In 2024, there was a 1.25% decrease in sales tax in Erie County. In the proposed budget, a 1.5% increase over the 2024 year is projected for the 2025 fiscal year.

Community

The Poloncarz administration proposes nearly $116 million in capital investment for the 2025 fiscal year.

$61.7 would be going towards roads and bridges from South Wales to West Seneca, including the McKinley Parkway in Hamburg. Additional funds would go towards parks, technology and public safety.

• $15 million in public safety projects including new “Air 2” sheriff helicopter, a new division of homeland security building and a new CPS dispatch system

• $10 million for SUNY Erie north campus sports complex

• $7 million for technology upgrades

• $4.5 million for Buffalo & Erie County Central Library

• $2.6 million for parks improvements

Tourism

The Buffalo Convention Center and Visit Buffalo Niagara would be allocated over $14 million combined.

The Buffalo Convention Center would receive $4.5 million for capital needs and $2.3 million for operations. Visit Buffalo Niagara would receive $7.45 million. Funds for these establishments would come from a proposed Hotel Tax.

The Hotel Tax would affect vacation rentals and would dedicate all future tax revenues to tourism promotion, according to Poloncarz.

Debt Reduction

2024 was the largest single year of borrowing in Erie County.

A total of $174 million was borrowed. $111 million of that went towards a Stadium Bond and $44 million went towards a General Projects Bond.

Prior to 2024, the county had retired more debt than issued the following year for ten years straight.

Poloncarz says they have worked as hard to reduce debt as to invest in infrastructure. He describes the 2025 proposed budget as “status-quo” but goes on to say there will be tighter budgets going forward due to revenue constraints.

“The proposed budget will deliver the programs and services the public relies on/demands in a budget-conscious way that limits spending to below current inflation,” he said.

A vote on the budget is expected in December.

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Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 as a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University.

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