County administrator warns of $1.9 million in proposed state budget cuts; commissioners say library closures are trustee decisions

County Administrator Bennett updated the Allegany County Board of Commissioners on elements of the governor's proposed state budget that the county projects could reduce local revenue by about $1.9 million if enacted.

Bennett said the governor's proposal would cut a disparity grant by $800,000, introduce a new direct payment to counties for teacher pension costs of about $754,000, and shift the county share for the local assessment office from roughly 50% to 90%, which he estimated would add approximately $360,000 in county costs. He said the state also proposed doubling the standard deduction, which would reduce taxable income and lower county income tax collections, but the county has not yet received a precise estimate of that revenue loss. "So far, early on ... we're about a million 9 in cuts as of right now," Bennett said, adding that the General Assembly could change the proposal.

Commissioners stressed the county's limited authority over library operations. A commissioner noted concerns about reported potential library branch closures and said the decision to close any branch rests with the library board of trustees, not the commissioners; the county is one of several funding partners. The transcript records that the county reduced library system funding by 10% during the last budget cycle and that the county administrator has met with library leadership and the advisory council; the county said it is unable to provide additional finances at this time. The commissioners also said they have implemented 10% reductions in some county operations, including cuts affecting EMS and transit.

Officials said they will continue to analyze the governor's proposal and pursue discussions at the state level. No formal county action on the state budget proposal was taken at the meeting.