Jefferson County budget would raise property-tax levy by $4.2 million

Jefferson County’s proposed 2027 budget would collect $4.2 million more in property taxes while slightly lowering the countywide full-value tax rate. The $364.6 million spending plan would increase expenditures by 0.5% from the adopted 2026 budget, county budget materials show.

The property-tax levy would rise 6.3% to $70.5 million. The full-value tax rate would fall from $5.58 to $5.56 per $1,000 of assessed value, continuing a six-year pattern of rate reductions. A lower rate does not prevent the total levy from increasing.

The proposal reduces spending for capital projects and road and bridge work. County Administrator Ryan Piche said 94% of next year’s property-tax collections would pay for state and federal directives, leaving less room for local infrastructure work.

A major pressure is a federal change to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the federal share of SNAP administrative costs drops from 50% to 25% beginning Oct. 1, 2026. New York counties pay the state share under existing state law.

Jefferson County expects the change to add about $2.45 million to its 2027 budget and nearly $5.75 million in 2028. About 14,000 county residents use SNAP, and county Department of Social Services staff administer the benefits.

The New York State Association of Counties said New York received no new funding for the shift in the state budget and has called for Congress to delay it by two years. The organization also says a separate penalty tied to SNAP payment error rates could be shared with counties beginning Oct. 1, 2027. A decision on that cost has not been made.

Jefferson County faces the highest projected SNAP-related cost among North Country governments, while Warren County has projected a $415,000 increase. St. Lawrence County is expected to face a larger shift in 2028.

The county held a budget worksession Oct. 27 at the Board of Legislators Chambers, 195 Arsenal St., Watertown. A public hearing on the tentative 2027 budget is scheduled for Nov. 10 at 6 p.m. in the same location. Residents can call Jefferson County at 315-785-3075 for more information.