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Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon has unveiled a $1.6 billion budget proposal for the 2026 fiscal year. The budget, announced in Syracuse, includes significant investments in public safety, such as $6 million for a new sheriff's department helicopter and $700,000 for drones to assist in responding to 911 calls. Despite these additions, the budget does not propose an increase in property taxes, maintaining the current rate for residents.
The proposed budget represents a three percent increase in overall spending. McMahon emphasized the importance of strategic investments and efficient operations in managing the county's finances. "We've been running an efficient operation," McMahon said, highlighting that less than 10 percent of the budget comes from property taxes, with economic growth driving revenue instead.
County lawmakers will begin reviewing the budget on Wednesday (September 17), and a public hearing is scheduled for October. The proposal is expected to face scrutiny, especially regarding its public safety expenditures. However, McMahon remains confident that the budget will benefit families dealing with inflation and maintain Onondaga County's position as having one of the lowest property tax rates among large upstate New York counties.