Board Of Legislators Hold Public Hearing In Rome
By: Rachel Polansky
Updated: November 13, 2012
It is now two days and counting until the legislators vote on the Oneida
County budget. But how much is the public involved with the vote? Oneida
County Board of Legislators held a public hearing in Rome earlier
tonight.
But when the chairman called upon the people to let their voices be heard tonight - only one person had something to say. The proposed $317-million dollar budget calls for an almost 3-percent tax increase. And legislators say the toughest part of the budget is staying within that tax cap. Some say the low turnout may be in part to Veteran's Day weekend or Election Day last week but regardless, they say they're disappointed.
"This is the lowest turnout that I've seen and I've been Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee for quite a long time. It's disappointing to a degree but again, the facts are as they are and we'll take a look and see what we're doing differently and if someone has a better idea on how to do it, please let us know," says Les Porter, Oneida County Legislator.
There's one more public hearing left before the board votes on the budget Wednesday afternoon. That's being held at the Oneida County Office Building in Utica tomorrow night at 7pm.
But when the chairman called upon the people to let their voices be heard tonight - only one person had something to say. The proposed $317-million dollar budget calls for an almost 3-percent tax increase. And legislators say the toughest part of the budget is staying within that tax cap. Some say the low turnout may be in part to Veteran's Day weekend or Election Day last week but regardless, they say they're disappointed.
"This is the lowest turnout that I've seen and I've been Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee for quite a long time. It's disappointing to a degree but again, the facts are as they are and we'll take a look and see what we're doing differently and if someone has a better idea on how to do it, please let us know," says Les Porter, Oneida County Legislator.
There's one more public hearing left before the board votes on the budget Wednesday afternoon. That's being held at the Oneida County Office Building in Utica tomorrow night at 7pm.
