St. Lawrence County budget proposal lowers tax rate for 12th straight year
St. Lawrence County’s tentative 2027 budget would lower the property tax rate to $6.87 per $1,000 of assessed value while increasing planned spending and the tax levy.
By Jessica Hale, ClickNNY North Country Desk
St. Lawrence County’s tentative 2027 budget would reduce the county property tax rate for the 12th consecutive year. The proposed rate is $6.87 per $1,000 of assessed property value, a decrease of 3 cents from this year’s rate.
The reduction would equal about $3 in annual savings for a property assessed at $100,000. The plan calls for $345.5 million in spending, which is $11.3 million more than the 2026 budget. The county’s property-tax levy would increase by 7.2%.
County Administrator Ruth Doyle said the proposal maintains services and does not use county savings to balance the budget. She identified rising fuel costs, increased local SNAP costs and unfunded state and federal mandates as challenges for 2027.
Jim Reagen, the District 1 county legislator, said most county costs are determined by state and federal governments, rather than by the county itself.
The tentative budget can still change during upcoming workshops. St. Lawrence County must adopt the final spending plan by Dec. 20.
Reported by ClickNNY and reviewed by an editor before publication.
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