The Steuben County legislature unanimously approved the 2019 proposed budget, which will lower taxes for the third consecutive year. 

The 2019 budget is $191 million, and will lower both the tax rate and tax levy. The tax levy is around $50 million. That is $9,000 compared to last years budget. The average county tax rate is going down 2%.

County Manager, Jack Wheeler, said although it is not an enormous decrease, it shows the county is headed in the right direction.

Wheeler said they were able to balance the budget by not increasing the costs of certain services, such as infrastructure.

“The maintenance for roads and bridges is one of the most important local services, Wheeler said. “We spend an average of $6 million. We were able to maintain those expenses.”

Wheeler said the legislators and staff work hard each year and this is the culmination of all their hard work.

The budget will go into effect January 1, 2019