Audit and Control Chair will support Sales Tax increase

The Chairman of the Chautauqua County Legislature's Audit and Control Committee says he won't be supporting County Executive Greg Edwards' call for an increase in the county's sales tax rate.  Edwards is proposing an increase from 7.5 percent to 8.25 percent to help close a projected $13 million budget gap for 2013.  Legislator John Runkle says it's too early to "pull the trigger" on a rate increase.  He says there are other areas the county look for savings including welfare costs.

Runkle-Chautauqua County spends more than neighboring counties

Runkle, who was a guest on WDOE's Viewpoint program, obtained the figures from state.  He says the county also has a lower welfare to work participation rate than its neighboring counties.

Runkle-Needs to look at Welfare-to-Work program

The County Legislature will be taking up the proposed increase in the sales tax rate Wednesday night.  It's the first of several steps including a vote by the State Legislature.  You can hear the entire interview following the Noon News.