GENESEO, N.Y., Nov. 25, 2024 — During their regular meeting on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, the Livingston County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to adopt the $226 million Livingston County fiscal year 2025 budget proposed earlier this month by County Administrator Ian M. Coyle.
Coyle commended the board’s thoughtful review and approval of the budget, which balances fiscal responsibility with continued investments in the county’s critical services, infrastructure and long-term financial stability.
“I want to thank the board and our department leaders who helped to create this fiscal blueprint for the county’s success,” said Coyle. “The 2025 budget reflects our steadfast commitment to the residents of Livingston County. We’ve prioritized essential services and innovative programs that enhance quality of life while encouraging growth. This budget is sound, balanced, and aligned with the policies and goals of the county’s strategic plan.”
The approved budget includes a modest increase in the county’s tax rate, which will rise to $6.93 per $1,000 of assessed property value. This translates to a property tax bill of $693 for a home valued at $100,000. The county’s tax levy will also see a slight increase to approximately $33.85 million, which Coyle attributes to growing operational costs most notably in the county’s long-term care services. The Livingston County Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation (CNR) is a key factor in this increase due to reduced occupancy and higher costs during the Covid-19 pandemic. With occupancy levels now near 95%, the additional resources will help to ensure the CNR’s ability to continue serving residents in need of long-term care.
“It’s important to note that the county remains in a strong financial position,” said Coyle. “Our reserves continue to exceed the median of similarly rated counties. The county’s non-reliance on debt and our pay-as-you-go approach to capital improvements has allowed us to avoid the need for large-scale borrowing, providing us with the flexibility to meet both short-term and long-term obligations without jeopardizing financial stability.”
The county’s Light Up Livingston initiative, which will provide high-speed internet access to every property in the county by the end of 2026, stands out as one of the largest investments in the 2025 county budget. However, the project is nearly cost-neutral with much of the funding provided through federal and state infrastructure grants, including the USDA ReConnect Program and NYS Municipal Infrastructure Program.
Additionally, the budget includes a $950,000 contribution to the county’s Capital Improvement Plan, which supports needed infrastructure upgrades and long-term planning efforts. Among the capital projects planned for the coming year are the construction of a Veteran’s Memorial Trail at Al Lorenz Park, the establishment of a Code Blue warming shelter for the unhoused population, and improvements to the county’s worker’s compensation program, among several others.
The county’s firm support of local non-profit organizations is also evident in the approved budget, which includes funding for several community partners, such as the OWWL Library System, Genesee Valley Council on the Arts, Chances and Changes, the Humane Society, the Hemlock Fair, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Livingston County, and several more. This budgeted support is in addition to the many non-profit contractual relationships within department budgets in areas like Social Services and the Department of Health.
“This budget reflects our commitment to fiscal responsibility while ensuring the continued delivery of essential programs and services that our residents rely on,” said County Board Chair David LeFeber. “Working with department heads and staff to factor in everything necessary for sound management, we’ve carefully balanced the needs of our communities with current financial realities to produce this sensible spending plan. This budget outlines a solid approach that combines fiscal prudence with community investment, and positions our county for continued success and resilience.”
The approved 2025 budget can be found on the county administrator’s website. For further information regarding the budget, please contact the Livingston County Administrator’s Office at 585-243-7040.
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About Livingston County:
Founded in 1821, Livingston County, N.Y., is home to more than 61,000 residents in 17 towns located across 631 square miles of the Finger Lakes region.