Three agencies receive funds to aid drug prevention and recovery efforts
BATH – Steuben County legislators approved funding to prevent and treat substance use disorders when they met in regular session Monday in the county Annex.
The Steuben lawmakers agreed to the use of $533,319 in funding, through the Opioid Settlement Fund, for distribution through the county Community Services Office as follows:
· CASA-Trinity: $253,957 to expand Adventures In Recovery services.
· Catholic Charities Steuben/Livingston: $120,000 to support the Prevention Coalition’s/ Opioid Committee in harm reduction and prevention efforts.
· Family Service Society, Inc.: $159,362 to fund a part-time Prevention Specialist and obtain a van for transportation to increase outreach efforts and prevention counseling at the Corning Youth Center.
Legislators also approved the tax equalization rates for 2024. The equalization rates are determined by the state and will be used to determine each municipalities’ share of the 2024 tax levy.
In other action, the Steuben Legislature also met in special session at 11:30 am to adopt the 2024 county budget pegged at $246 million with a property tax levy of $52.8 million.
While the levy is up 1 percent compared to 2023, property owners can expect, on average, a drop in the tax rate of $0.55 per $1,000 full assessed value down to $6.80 per $1,000.
County Legislature Chairman Scott Van Etten noted the hard work of county Manager Jack Wheeler, Deputy County Manager Christopher Brewer and the department heads in crafting the 2024 spending plan.
He also credited the active input of legislators in the process, which included three budget workshops.
“I think we make a difference,” he said. “We are very involved in the process and as a result, better understand the services we are funding.”
