Steuben OKs $180M budget
BY MARY PERHAM THE LEADER

BATH - The 2008 Steuben County budget passed unanimously Monday night, after strenuous lobbying efforts during a public hearing and vigorous debate by legislators.

The budget increases spending by 10 percent to $180 million from $165 million. On average, the tax levy, used to determine property taxes, will increase 2.8 percent to $42.5 million from $41.6 million.

Average property tax rates are down compared to this year's tax rates, but vary widely between municipalities due to a state formula that makes valuations equal.

"I think we've done a good job, kept the tax levy down," said retiring Finance Committee Chairman Gary Swackhamer, R-Hornell. "Everything was kept under 3 percent, and that includes a couple of new projects."

The budget includes $2 million in special projects, with $1.5 million pegged for road improvements. That is in addition to a $2 million increase for Public Works road construction.

The remaining $500,000 will go toward a job training program.

The budget will also include an additional $10,000 apiece for the Southern Tier Library System and the Finger Lakes SPCA. The funds were added after nearly a dozen supporters of the two agencies addressed the legislators dur-