RENSSELAER COUNTY LEGISLATURE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVES EIGHTH CONSECUTIVE COUNTY PROPERTY TAX RATE REDUCTION INCLUDED IN 2026 BUDGET PROPOSAL INTRODUCED BY COUNTY EXECUTIVE STEVE MCLAUGHLIN
BUDGET FOR 2026 LOWERS COUNTY PROPERTY TAX RATE BY 9 PERCENT, BRINGING TOTAL OF PROPERTY TAX REDUCTIONS UNDER MCLAUGHLIN TO JUST UNDER 50 PERCENT
SPENDING PLAN FOR 2026 MAINTAINS COUNTY SERVICES, IMPROVEMENTS TO COUNTY SERVICES AND OTHER MODERNIZATIONS
Rensselaer County taxpayers will see an eighth consecutive property tax rate reduction in the 2026 fiscal year, with the county tax rate set to be lowered by just over nine percent, County Executive Steve McLaughlin announced today.
The budget was approved unanimously by the County Legislature at a special meeting on Wednesday, with all 19 legislators from both caucuses present.
With the 2026 county spending plan now approved, the county property tax rate would be 49 percent lower, based on the combined amount of the eight budgets introduced by County Executive McLaughlin during his tenure.
The combined tax reductions included in the county budgets over the past eight years would keep the county tax rate comparable to what county taxpayers paid in the early 1990s, if the 2026 spending plan is approved. The tax rate per $1,000 in 2018, the first year McLaughlin took office, was $5.85 and for 2026, lowered to $3.23.
During that same eight-year period, the county has comprehensively improved county services and facilities during McLaughlin’s service as County Executive through historic service upgrades and projects.
“This is a budget that saves taxpayer’s money, protects needed services and builds for the future, which helped earn the unanimous support this evening,” said McLaughlin.
“We are proud of our record and the fact that all eight of my budgets have included a reduction in the county property tax rate. The 9.1 percent reduction included in the county property tax rate saves county taxpayers more money and will help attract more investment and interest in our county,” McLaughlin said.
“We believe our county tax rate reduction for 2026 is the biggest in the region and throughout upstate. When coupled with the 40 percent in property tax rate reductions during the previous seven years, our combined property tax rate reductions from budgets 2019 through 2026 will total nearly 50 percent, with 49 percent reductions during that time. That is important work and a record we take pride in,” he added.
The county has seen economic activity increase on different fronts, including increased returns from sales tax and a dramatic increased in the county’s overall value during McLaughlin’s time in office.
“Our sales tax numbers continue to be strong and show more and more are coming to our county to shop and to invest. The work done in our budgets helps create an environment for positive growth and investment in many sectors,” said McLaughlin.
“We have seen major and consistent growth. The first year of my administration in 2018 saw sales tax revenues at just under $89 million. Now, sales tax revenues for 2024 were at $125.2 million and growing in 2025,” added McLaughlin.
The county’s overall value has also increased during McLaughlin’s service as County Executive, and is reflected in the 2026 adopted budget.
“Currently, the overall value as a county is be rated at $19.2 billion, an increase of nearly two billion from the $17.4 billion in 2024. Comparatively in 2018, during the first year of my administration, the overall value of Rensselaer County was $11 billion,” added McLaughlin.
Rensselaer County is still dealing with sharp increases in mandated expenses over the past several years, as state leaders continue to be unwilling to provide necessary reforms and adjustments to help on the local level.
“Like every county, we have seen the cost of mandates increase substantially in recent years. In 2023, our mandate expense was $155 million, increasing $166 million in 2024. For the 2025 fiscal year, we expect the cost of mandates will increase to $173 million. For 2026, we forecast another increase for mandates of nearly $10 million to $183 million,” said McLaughlin.
“Those numbers are unfair to taxpayers and local governments working to ensure needed services are delivered. The Governor and Albany need to address these issues and provide at least some measure of mandate relief,” he added.
The county has earned a series of positive independent audits and fiscal reviews, including from the New York State Comptroller. The county has also earned record high bond ratings and the current bond rating is the highest in county history. McLaughlin discussed the issue when the budget was introduced on October 20:
“The strong independent audit has been accompanied by our county earning perfect stress scores in previous years following a review of county finances by the Office of the State Comptroller’s Fiscal Stress Monitoring Report in previous fiscal years. Measurements in the Comptroller’s review include fund balance, cash reserves, debt service and operating results, along with other factors. In 2024, we again earned a “no designation” of fiscal stress from the Comptroller. The “no designation” ranking is the best possible classification for a municipality and I can also report our fiscal stress score as awarded by the State Comptroller remains very low,” reported McLaughlin.
“Our county has earned our highest ever bond ratings. We continue to maintain those historic bond ratings, including an Aa3 rating from Moody’s and AA Stable from Standard & Poor. These strong ratings show investors that our county is well-managed and a safe place to grow,” he added.
The 2026 budget is introduced as major components of an ambitious plan introduced by McLaughlin to improve and modernize county facilities and services are being completed. Proposed in 2022, the Reimagine Rensselaer County Facilities plan included relocation of Executive offices to 99 Troy Road in East Greenbush, moving human and social services functions from expensive rented space to county offices at 1600 7th Avenue in downtown Troy, improvement of four senior centers, location of the Probation Department from rented space into the Health Sciences Building, completion of Emergency Services Training Complex and other changes.
Most of that work has been completed, with substantial payments made early from county surplus funds. The county is now seeing positive benefits in terms of a more stable and flexible base for county offices and facilities. Another project will be completed on Thursday with the new garage in Berlin unveiled.
Work to improve facilities is continuing, with work now underway to improve three highway garages. The major project ahead for the county is a renovation and improvement of the county’s Van Rensselaer Manor nursing home.
Along with the Reimagine Rensselaer County Facilities projects, the county also teamed up with the City of Troy to reopen the Knickerbacker Ice Arena in Lansingburgh. The Knick had been closed for nearly a decade but the partnership has brought the Knick back to life and in use by kids and skaters.
“Thanks to our budget team, our department heads and our Executive staff for their hard work and careful management during the budget process. This team has produced great results, and the strong partnership with the County Legislature helped produce an outstanding for residents of our county,” said McLaughlin.