Schenectady County passes budget with 5.9% property tax increase - NEWS10 ABC: Albany, New York News, Weather, Sports

Schenectady County passes budget with 5.9% property tax increase

SCHENECTADY, N.Y - Schenectady County Legislators passed the budget Tuesday night, with a lower property tax hike than originally proposed.

The majority leader offered an amendment to bring down the property tax hike from 7.49 percent to 5.9 percent. The motion passed by a 9 to 6 vote.

There was also a capital budget vote for bonded items that are paid over the time of use such as highway equipments, trucks, or computers. The capital budget passed 14 to 1 in favor.

The 2013 operating budget is $295 million, of which a property tax levy will pay for $68.3 million and the rest will be reimbursed.

Schenectady County PIO Joe McQueen points out over the past four years there has been an average tax hike of .86 percent, well under the 2 percent tax cap.