BUDGET PLAN FOR NEXT YEAR INCLUDES COUNTY PROPERTY TAX RATE DECREASE OF JUST UNDER 7 PERCENT
RENSSELAER COUNTY PROPERTY TAXES SET TO DECREASE FOR NINTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR, UNDER 2027 BUDGET PROPOSAL INTRODUCED BY COUNTY EXECUTIVE STEVE MCLAUGHLIN
BUDGET PLAN FOR NEXT YEAR INCLUDES COUNTY PROPERTY TAX RATE DECREASE OF JUST UNDER 7 PERCENT, BRINGING COMBINED COUNTY TAX RATE REDUCTIONS TO 56 PERCENT, AND TAX RATE COMPARABLE TO 1990
SPENDING PLAN MAINTAINS COUNTY SERVICES, SOLID COUNTY FINANCIAL POSITION AND ONGOING IMPROVEMENT WORK AT VAN RENSSELAER MANOR
Rensselaer County taxpayers are in line for a ninth consecutive county property tax rate decrease under the budget announced today by County Executive Steve McLaughlin for the 2027 fiscal year.
The 2027 spending plan includes a 6.84 percent county property tax rate decrease. Each budget introduced since McLaughlin became executive, starting with the 2019 budget, has included a county property tax rate decrease.
The combined amount of county property tax rate decreases under McLaughlin’s leadership is 55.9 percent.
“This budget is the ninth budget introduced since I was elected as County Executive. The previous eight budgets all earned our county the recognition as a leader across New York State in reducing property taxes all during a time when historic improvements were being made in county services and record growth was being attracted,” said McLaughlin in his message.
“The condition and operation of county government has been dramatically improved at every level, while the cost to residents and taxpayers has been reduced significantly. That work and that commitment sets Rensselaer County apart from others,” he added.
The 2027 budget plan continues the work by the McLaughlin administration to turn back the clock on the county tax rate, McLaughlin noted. The county tax rate reduction occurs at a time when other municipalities are seeing proposals with significant tax rate hikes.
“Those same county taxpayers now pay a rate that is comparable to the rate paid by county taxpayers during the early 1990s. We are continuing that work, with the 2027 county budget proposal including a nearly seven percent county property tax rate decrease,” he said.
“In 2018, the first year of my administration, the average county property tax rate was $5.85 per thousand. In 2025, the tax rate decreased to $3.55 per thousand and in 2026, the average tax rate per thousand had decreased to $3.22 per thousand. Our 2026 budget plan included a county property tax rate decrease of 9.1 percent,” said McLaughlin. “For 2027, I am proud to announce the average county tax rate will be $3.01 per thousand.”
Effective fiscal management and cost controls have been central to the budgetary approach during McLaughlin’s tenture as County Executive.
“Proof of our efforts can be seen in the overall levy, which is essentially the bill sent to all county taxpayers. In 2018, the first year of my administration and under a budget that was created by the previous Executive team, the levy was $64.4 million. By 2026, the county levy had decreased to $62 million,” he said. “This year, 2027, the levy will be at $63 million, showing great control over spending and preparation for the unexpected across county government.”
At the same time, the overall value of properties in the county has increased significantly during McLaughlin’s service as Executive, thanks in part to effective economic development policies and record of tax cuts.
“We can see the increase in a steady progression of growth since my administration started. In 2018, the first year of my administration, we started with an overall value of $11 billion in property value. The pandemic hampered our growth, with the county’s value set at $12 billion in 2020, which is still respectable given the challenges of the times,” said McLaughlin.
“Then, the real growth in value occurred, with our numbers rising from just over $12.5 billion in 2022 to $17.5 billion in 2025. Now, we have essentially doubled our value as a county, with our overall value set at $20.9 billion for 2027.”
McLaughlin also spoke in opposition to a proposal in the City of Albany to levy a commuter tax on those who work in the city. The proposal was approved on Monday evening by the Albany Common Council.
‘As County Executive, I have forcefully stated my opposition to this proposal and will continue to oppose a commuter tax that is regressive and unfairly penalizes Rensselaer County residents for problems they did not create. This proposal is the very definition of taxation without representation and would particularly hurt working class and young families,” said McLaughlin.
“A commuter tax is the opposite of being a good neighbor. It is predatory, unfair and damaging to all involved. To those Common Council members in Albany who are supporting the tax and defending the proposal, I urge them to do the right thing and cancel the plan,” he said.
Rensselaer County continues to see success with sales tax revenues, McLaughlin noted. Even with the success, the county will be prudently estimating revenues for next year at $130 million.
“When we took office in 2018, we ended that year with sales tax revenues at $89 million. We made history when we broke the $100 million barrier in 2020 and were recognized for having the most sales tax growth in the entire state in 2019. In 2022, our revenues grew to $122 million. In 2025, our sales tax revenues grew to $131 million. For 2026, we are on pace to again break $130 million,” said McLaughlin.
McLaughlin noted the success with sales tax revenues is due in part to the county’s success with economic development and utilizing the county’s low tax rate to attract new business and investment. The increased revenues benefit all municipalities, with the county sharing revenues with cities, towns and villages.
“We also note to our local partners that in terms of sales tax revenues, that our success has been your success. Overall sales tax revenues to local governments have increased significantly and we expect that trend to continue as we enter the new fiscal year,” he added.
Despite the success, the county is still navigating challenges with unfunded mandates. State unfunded mandates have increased by record levels over the past several years, McLaughlin noted.
“We remain hopeful for meaningful action on the issue of unfunded state mandates, a problem that continues to expand and jeopardize all corners of county government,” said McLaughlin.
“The cost of unfunded mandates has increased significantly in recent years, with no effort by Albany to control or reduce these expenses. In fact, the last five years represent possibly the greatest increase in mandated expenses to this county. Look at the numbers. In 2023, our mandate expense was $155 million, increasing to $166 million in 2024. For the 2025 fiscal year, the cost of mandates increased to $173 million. For 2026, the cost of mandates rose by nearly $10 million to $183 million,” he said. “Sadly, in 2027, the cost of mandates to Rensselaer County will increase to $191 million.”
Thanks to effective management, county finances have been judged to be in outstanding condition during recent reviews, McLaughlin said.
“We continue to maintain the highest bond ratings ever earned by Rensselaer County thanks to our effective management. These ratings include an Aa3 rating from Moody’s and AA Stable from Standard & Poor. The ratings are proof that our county is regarded as a safe investment that benefits from efficient and honest management,” he said.
“We saw the positive effects of our management and our high bond ratings and positive financial reviews when bonds were issued for our landmark Van Rensselaer Manor Nursing Facility. Bonds were open to the public and were sold in 45 minutes. In fact, the bonds were so highly regarded that they oversold, and refunds were issued to those who wanted the bonds but missed out,” he continued.
“Our positive and effective management of county finances doubled the amount we received in returns on investments. In 2024, we earned $8.3 million instead of the $3.4 million budgeted and in 2025 earned $6.3 million. Since 2022, we have earned an impressive $27 million from interest income. The Finance team has utilized T-bills and timely money management to take advantage of the market to drive these returns that add to our bottom line.”
While reducing property taxes, the county is continuing completion of an ambitious project to remake and modernize county facilities. Work is now underway to completely renovate the county’s Van Rensselaer Manor Nursing Facility.
“The Reimagine projects and other work has included the new County Offices here at 99 Troy Road in East Greenbush, a complete update of our County Offices at 1600 7th Avenue in downtown Troy, a new Emergency Services Training Complex, new storage facility, four new senior centers, three new satellite garages, an independent Probation office, two new DMVs and new Board of Elections office,” said McLaughlin.
“The result of this historic work has been a county government that is more responsive, more accessible, safer and efficient. Rensselaer County is no longer housed in buildings best left forgotten but is instead ready and facing toward the future,” he added.
The work ongoing in the county has made more look toward Rensselaer County as a place to live and invest. The focus and commitment remain in county government to provide the best services possible at the lowest reasonable cost.
“We can be proud of our efforts to avoid property tax increases while maintaining and in some cases, expanding county services and preparing for the future. In fact, the work we have done to improve our facilities and make county government even more responsive has been historic, the projects to improve services and infrastructure of vital importance and as significant and meaningful as our success in reducing the county property tax rate. Those values will continue to be a foundation of our work and our success in the future,” he said.
“The work does not stop, the commitment does not end, the goals continue to be set and we remain focused on building the best and strongest county for all who call Rensselaer County home,” McLaughlin concluded.
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