Chautauqua County's top elected official says rising property values is part of why he was able to propose a historically low property tax rate while keeping the tax levy flat in his tentative 2027 budget. County Executive P.J. Wendel discussed his $330 million spending plan as a guest on WDOE's "Viewpoint" program on Monday. According to Wendel, the county saw a 15.8% increase in its real estate market over the past year...
P.J. Wendel: forced to drop the tax rate
Wendel adds that the tentative spending plan, which he presented last week, will use over $11 million of the county's undesignated fund balance. The Lakewood Republican calls it a "bold" move, but he says budgeting in past years has allowed him to use that much...
P.J. Wendel: able to use larger fund balance
The proposed property tax rate of $5.32 per thousand is 85 cents lower than what's in the current year's budget. It would be the lowest since the county's current form of government was established in 1975. The County Legislature's Audit and Control Committee will hold its budget meetings next week.
Click here to listen can listen to the entire "Viewpoint" interview with County Executive P.J. Wendel.
