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(BINGHAMTON, NY) Broome County Executive Jason Garnar announced today that the Broome County Legislature has unanimously approved the 2020 Broome County budget. The 2020 county budget includes a tax cut, reducing the county property tax levy by 1%.

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“I want to thank Chairman Reynolds, Majority Leader O’Brien, Minority Leader Kaminsky and members of the Legislature, Republicans and Democrats for coming together, regardless of party, and unanimously approving the 2020 budget,” said County Executive Garnar, “This is the power of partnerships, rolling up our sleeves and working together to build a better Broome County. I am glad to be providing Broome County residents with continued services and another tax cut in 2020.”

In September, the County Executive submitted a $401 million proposed budget. He delivered the budget address at GiGi’s Playhouse Southern Tier Chapter in Vestal. The Executive’s plan included a tax cut, reducing the county property tax levy by 0.51. This is the second year in a row County Executive Garnar has proposed a tax cut. 

“I’m proud to be cutting taxes for the second straight year,” said Garnar. “We’re making sure to continue to provide important services to our Broome County residents as well as introducing exciting new projects to help better the lives of our taxpayers here in Broome.”

The 2020 budget maintains critical county services and programs, with the introduction of several infrastructure projects and increased investment to public safety. The County Executive said due to the work of his team in improving the financial condition of the county, the 2020 budget reduces short-term borrowing by 30%.

Within the capital improvement plan, Broome County plans to invest in the complete renovation of two of the oldest buildings at SUNY Broome Community College and make a big investment in the expansion of the nursing program to address a critical nursing shortage in the community.

The approved budget also includes investment in public safety with the additions of three new deputies for the Sheriff’s office and two new security positions for Broome Security dedicated to providing security at the Greater Binghamton Transportation Center (Intermodal) in the city of Binghamton. The budget also includes a new county-wide communications network serving the fire, police, and emergency service agencies which will help save many lives.

The County Executive’s approved budget also again includes no change to the sales tax formula for 2020 for the municipalities. In 2020, he is again including $150,000 for his Small Communities Grant Fund to provide grant money to municipalities for economic development projects. 

 (BINGHAMTON, NY) Broome County Executive Jason Garnar has issued a challenge to Tioga County to help get people out to the polls for early voting.

“We want to get as many people out to vote as possible,” said County Executive Garnar. “Exercising your right to vote is extremely important and this challenge is a great way to promote early voting and how every resident can have their voice heard.”

County Executive Garnar and Tioga County District 2 Legislator and Legislative Chair Martha Sauerbrey have made a friendly wager to see which county can get the largest percentage of early voters. If Tioga County wins, Broome County will present them with a dozen doughnuts from the Cider Mill in Endicott. If Broome County wins, Tioga County will treat them to breakfast at the Owego Kitchen.

“We are excited to take on this challenge, said Legislative Chair Sauerbrey. “I encourage all the voters in Tioga County to head to the polls for early voting this weekend and next week on election day.”

The leaders will come together for a press conference to announce the early voting outcomes on Monday, November 4^th. Polls will still be open on election day across the U.S. on Tuesday, November 5^th.

For more information on voting in Broome County visit https://www.broomevotes.com/.

(BINGHAMTON, NY) Broome County’s Safe Housing Task Force, launched by County Executive Jason Garnar in 2018, released their final recommendations at a public forum Tuesday evening. The County Executive, as well as members of the Task Force, were in attendance to hear from the public regarding the recommendations.

Co-chairs Rebecca Rathmell of the Southern Tier Homeless Coalition and Mark Schuster of the Broome County Health Department’s Healthy Neighborhoods Program led a Core Group of local partners through the development of the recommendations. The Task Force solicited stories and suggestions from the public in February; members of the Task Force also reached out for additional community input throughout the process.

“I am proud of the work the Safe Housing Task Force has done over the last year,” said County Executive Garnar. “Representatives from Broome County, City of Binghamton, Village of Johnson City, and Town of Union worked together to identify these next steps to address serious housing problems facing our residents. Broome County has already started working on the recommendations. I look forward to seeing other elected officials do the same.”

Recommendations center around four strategic areas: protections, development, housing quality, and tenant and landlord supports. The Safe Housing Task Force reiterates in their report this is only the beginning of the process to improve housing in our community.

“Mark and I are immensely grateful to the members of the Task Force’s Core Group & Executive Committee for their commitment to this effort” said Co-Chair Rebecca Rathmell. “We believe strongly that every resident of Broome County, regardless of income, should have a safe and stable place to call home. It’s our hope that these recommendations become the foundation upon which progress toward that end will continue.”

The full report with the final recommendations can be read at broomecountyny.gov/countyexec/housingtaskforce