Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente presented his 2025 operating budget proposal to county lawmakers on Friday. Highlights include no tax levy increase and significant tornado recovery costs.

Picente’s proposed $549 million budget does not include a tax levy increase, something he said was not easy to achieve. Cuts in discretionary spending and cuts to initial department requests were part of achieving this. Picente said the province’s strong financial foundation helped this year’s budget, but cautioned that changes will need to be made in the future for financial sustainability.

“I want everyone to understand the harsh reality,” Picente said. “Our income streams fluctuate. Sales taxes won’t keep rising forever. Nations’ revenues will not always rise at the same pace. We need to be aware of those possible outcomes. This government cannot continue to be everything to everyone with the financial structure as it is.”

Picente said the impacts and damage from the July tornado were a major factor in this year’s budget. He said the long-term recovery from the storm will be hard-fought.

“That cost currently amounts to more than $23 million,” Picente said. “More than $10 million in damage was caused to our buildings alone. This tornado has serious fiscal and economic consequences that go beyond the hard costs and the bricks and mortar.”

Other budget focuses include reducing debt burdens and keeping up with cost increases in contract settlements. The Council of Legislators will vote on the 2025 budget proposal on November 13.