ERIE COUNTY, N.Y. — Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz on Oct. 15 unveiled a $2.408 billion proposed 2027 county budget that trims the county property tax rate for the ninth straight year while warning that federal cuts could force future local spending increases.
The proposal sets the county’s 2027 property tax rate at $3.01 per $1,000 of assessed value, down $0.08 from the current $3.09 and the lowest rate among Western New York counties, Poloncarz’s office said. The administration said the tax rate has fallen $2.02 per $1,000, or 40.2%, since 2012.
The budget calls for $2.408 billion for all operating funds and a total property tax levy of $360.6 million, with the county’s share of the levy about $327.1 million, according to the county’s budget materials. The levy grows about 3.6%, or $12.7 million, over 2026.
Poloncarz cautioned that the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” — which his administration and, citing the National Association of Counties, have called the “Big Shift” — would move large federal costs to states and local governments and is already affecting Erie County.
“The 2027 Budget is very tight, with no new programs or services except for the expected opening of Willowdale Park in 2027,” Poloncarz said. “This Budget funds the necessary and mandated programs that are critical to our community but is also cognizant of the burdens and obstacles that are coming because of congressional actions.”
Poloncarz highlighted changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) included in the federal legislation and reflected in county planning. Effective Oct. 1, 2026, the county said SNAP administrative reimbursement dropped so the federal share moved from 50% to 25%, increasing the county’s local share and producing a $10.2 million loss in revenue for 2027. The county also projects a 50% rise in employment and training costs tied to SNAP that adds about $3.6 million locally — a combined $13.8 million the county expects to absorb in 2027.
The county’s presentation also warns that, without congressional action, a 15% increase in SNAP benefits effective Oct. 1, 2027 could add roughly $55 million annually to Erie County if the state passes the cost to counties.
Poloncarz’s announcement also detailed anticipated Medicaid changes that the county says could remove 1.2 million to 1.5 million New Yorkers from coverage — including an estimated 5,000 to 10,000 Erie County residents — and cited other changes such as reduced retroactive coverage and more frequent eligibility recertification. The county said such shifts would likely push up mandated indigent health care subsidies to Erie County Medical Center (ECMC).
The proposal preserves investments in local tourism and cultural support. The budget includes $15 million in hotel tax revenue, of which $8 million would go to Visit Buffalo Niagara, $4.5 million for Buffalo Convention Center capital needs and $2.5 million for convention center operations. The plan also provides $8.5 million in operating support to more than 110 cultural organizations.
Poloncarz’s materials say the general fund operating budget is about $2.196 billion, a $114.9 million (5.5%) increase over the 2026 adopted budget. County officials identified nine expense areas that account for the majority of the increase, including shared sales tax, childcare, the local share of SNAP, IGT payments to ECMC, safety net costs and sheriff overtime.
The budget documents also outline a 2027 capital program of more than $118 million and endorse completing a regional trunked radio system, road and bridge projects and upgrades at county buildings and parks. The county staff said the county’s credit ratings remain strong.
The proposed budget now goes to the Erie County Legislature, which is scheduled to vote on it in early December.
