By Joyce Kryszak
Buffalo, NY – Erie County Executive Chris Collins said Wednesday his administration is busy drafting a budget for next year. But he said there are still some question marks. And that includes whether or not taxes will have to go up.
At the start of the annual Travel Expo, Collins pledged to preserve a total of $15 million in funding earmarked for the convention and visitors bureau and the culturals. He said marketing the region is crucial to the local economy.
Still, he said it's going to be a tough budget year for the county. Collins said sales tax revenues are expected to take a dip, although no one knows how much of one.
That is a roughly $380 million wild card - more than half of the county's revenues. Collins said it is a factor beyond the powers of an administration to control.
Still, he said his first pass through the budget gives him some confidence a property tax hike can be avoided. But Collins said he will eliminate about 400 vacant positions to free up some much needed cash.
Collins said he has the support of legislative leaders, who he said are also eager to prevent tax hikes.
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