Oneida County Legislature passes nearly $495 million budget for 2023

UTICA, N.Y. — The Oneida County Board of Legislators on Wednesday passed the $494.7 million budget and capital plan for 2023, presented by Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr.

There is no property tax levy in the balanced budget for the 10th year in a row. The budget appropriates $131.9 million in sales-tax revenue, $23.8 million in Oneida Nation revenue, and retires $19.3 million in debt. It includes a six-year capital plan totaling $139.9 million.

Other spending items in the budget include $14.2 million for mental health and suicide prevention for veterans, $885,000 for Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County, $800,000 for local libraries, $400,000 for Mohawk Valley EDGE, $300,000 for the Utica Zoo, and $200,000 for local humane societies.

While the county did not include American Rescue Plan Act funding in the 2023 operating budget, some of those funds are reflected in two capital projects — $2 million for broadband expansion and $2.5 million for the county’s Main Street revitalization program.