UTICA, N.Y. — The Oneida County Board of Legislators on Nov. 12 will vote on the 2026 budget proposal that was recently introduced with the county’s first increase in the property tax levy in 13 years.
Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr. called the proposed 2.9 percent property-tax increase a “necessary adjustment” to maintain essential services and prepare for the “growing financial pressures being pushed onto counties by New York State and the federal government.”
“This modest increase is not a setback, it’s a step forward,” Picente argued in his Oct. 8 budget proposal address to county legislators. “For more than a decade we have held the line on taxes while strengthening services, improving efficiency and investing in our community. But with mandated costs from Albany and Washington continuing to rise, and sales tax revenue flattening, this adjustment is necessary to preserve our fiscal health and position Oneida County for the future.”
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The projected $560.9 million budget represents a $12 million, or 2.2 percent, increase over the current year despite numerous cost-saving measures and programmatic reductions, the county executive’s office said. The Oneida County executive emphasized that more than 90 percent of the county’s spending is state mandated, leaving “limited flexibility” to absorb rising costs in programs such as Medicaid, foster care, and SNAP without local action.
The county’s annual Medicaid obligation, alone, stands at
$57.3 million and represents about 86 percent of the entire property tax levy, Picente’s office said. It could “grow substantially” if the state eliminates its Medicaid cap or adds new service mandates such as countywide ambulance coverage.
Despite these challenges, the county executive used his budget-address remarks to underscore that his administration continues to take a “conservative and disciplined” approach to budgeting, retiring more debt than it takes on and reducing expenditures wherever possible. The 2026 capital plan retires
$17.6 million in debt while taking on just $13 million in new borrowing for critical projects.
In addition, Oneida County is implementing cost-saving measures such as bringing the administration of the foster-care program in-house to reduce contract expenses, unfunding long-vacant positions, and maximizing the vacancy rate.
“We have made every adjustment possible to keep this increase minimal,” Picente stipulated. “We are doing what every responsible household must do, making hard choices to ensure we can meet our obligations today while protecting our ability to respond to tomorrow’s challenges.”
Over the past year, Oneida County has faced multiple tornadoes, expanded broadband to rural areas, upgraded emergency communications systems and strengthened public safety infrastructure, all without additional state or federal assistance. Picente highlighted these investments as examples of the county’s leadership and resilience.
“No other local government takes on as much responsibility as Oneida County,” Picente said. “When disaster strikes, when critical services are needed, when others turn away, we step forward. That is who we are, and that’s what this budget ensures we can continue to do.”
Picente went on to say that fundamental changes to Oneida County’s governmental structure are needed in order to continue to meet those critical needs.
He said he will revisit proposals he made in last year’s budget address, including sending a resolution to the board to address the county’s responsibility of making villages whole on their tax collection and reevaluating sales-tax distribution.
Picente concluded his address by “reaffirming his administration’s commitment to sound financial management and the long-term stability of Oneida County,” his office noted.
“We have challenges, but they are opportunities,” he contended. “This budget is about responsibility, facing tomorrow today and ensuring Oneida County remains strong, stable and united for years to come.”
