CHENANGO COUNTY – Chenango County policy makers are set to review preliminary figures of the county’s proposed 2015 annual budget, which calls for a relatively modest 1.78 percent increase for local taxpayers.

Despite a more stringent state mandated tax cap this year of approximately 1.9 percent for Chenango County, the $86.9 million budget falls under the tax cap threshold for the fourth consecutive year. According to Chenango County Treasurer Bill Craine, the county saw a total $81,418 (.09 percent) increase in spending over last year’s budget but still falls marginally short of the state mandated tax cap by about $15,000.

This means unless the numbers change before going to vote, the average taxpayer can expect to pay 13 cents per $1,000 of assessed value more than they did in 2014, said Crain (which equals approximately $12 more for the year for the average residence). Individual town rates will vary depending on equalization rates and assessed value totals.

“Our biggest challenge this year has been gaining revenue while sales taxes are flat,” Craine said, citing sales taxes that fell below anticipated throughout the summer. Sales tax statewide has been less than exciting this year, he added.

Even so, the suggested budget keeps the county debt free and off the list of “fiscally stressed” governments tracked by the New York State Comptroller’s Office. It additionally retains the financial precept of keeping a minimum $15 million in general fund surplus. The estimated surplus balance, which is not earmarked, stands at approximately $17 million.