CHENANGO COUNTY – County officials have submitted a plan to the New York Division of the Budget to keep local taxes down in hopes of taking advantage of a property tax freeze credit program for homeowners, which went into effect last year.

Chenango County’s government efficiency plan, approved by the county Board of Supervisors in March, outlines efforts taken on by the county to keep local property taxes down, including switching healthcare providers for county employees, consolidating alcohol and drug services with mental health services, eliminating job positions from the county budget, and updating contracts with union employees.

The plan is to take part in the New York’s Property Tax Freeze Credit which was enacted in 2014. The new law encourages local governments and school districts to generate long-term tax relief for New York taxpayers by sharing services, consolidating or merging, and demonstrating and implementing operational efficiencies.

The County Department of Finance estimates savings in the county’s plan range from $1.68 million to $2.2 million – well within the state’s requirements.