“One Big Beautiful Bill Act” could force a 10 percent property tax rate hike
BATH, N.Y. — September 30, 2026 — The Steuben County Legislature has adopted a resolution calling on New York State to hold counties harmless from increased administrative and benefit costs resulting from changes to the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
The resolution was passed Monday during the Steuben County Legislature’s monthly meeting.
SNAP is a critical program that helps provide food assistance to individuals and families across New York State. Under New York State law, counties are responsible for administering SNAP and sharing in its administrative costs.
The resolution notes that federal legislation enacted through H.R. 1, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” reduces the federal share of SNAP administrative costs from 50 percent to 25 percent beginning October 1, 2026. Beginning October 1, 2027, the legislation also establishes a state cost-share requirement for SNAP benefits tied to payment error rates.
For Steuben County, the estimated impact of the administrative cost shift is approximately $1 million annually, while potential costs associated with payment error rates could exceed $4 million annually, according to estimates cited in the resolution.
Together, the potential costs could have a significant impact on local property taxpayers, with the resolution estimating an impact equivalent to approximately a 10 percent property tax increase.
“Steuben County should not be placed in a position where our local property taxpayers are asked to absorb costs resulting from federal changes to the SNAP program,” said Kelly Fitzpatrick, Chair of the Steuben County Legislature. “We are responsible for administering this important program for our County. The problem is that the additional costs are outside of our control. We are asking New York State to recognize the impact these changes could have on local communities and provide the funding necessary to ensure that county taxpayers are not left to shoulder the burden.”
The resolution calls on the Governor of New York and the New York State Legislature to appropriate state funds to cover the increased administrative and benefit costs if the federal government does not delay implementation of the cost shifts.
The resolution further states that counties are among the units of government least equipped to absorb these additional expenses and notes that New York counties’ obligation to share in SNAP costs exists as a matter of state law.
The Steuben County Legislature said the action is intended to bring attention to the potential fiscal impact of the federal SNAP changes on county governments and local property taxpayers while maintaining access to an important food assistance program for residents.
