Broome County Executive Jason Garnar delivered his yearly budget address at Riverside Gardens in Johnson City on Sept. 15, covering achievements over the past year, new plans going forward and the county’s budget breakdown for 2026.
Garnar noted difficulties faced in developing Broome County’s 2026 budget due to inflation, interest rates, the introduction of tariffs and constant uncertainty at the federal level.
“We’ve weathered floods, historic snowstorms, economic downturns, public health crises, and plenty of tough budgets,” said Garnar. “But I can tell you — this is one of the most challenging budgets we’ve ever had to prepare.”
Property values, taxes in 2026 county budget
Garnar said Broome County residents should nevertheless not expect any cuts to programs or public services. The budget’s $3.5 million reduction will draw from the county’s discretionary spending.
“Let me be clear about what this budget does not do,” Garnar said. “It does not cut programs. It does not take away services from the public. We are not balancing the budget on the backs of residents. We are tightening our own belt. That means scaling back discretionary spending — things like office supplies, travel, professional development, even software purchases. In total, that’s $3.5 million in reductions. It was a tough decision to make, and it’s not something we take lightly.”
According to Garnar, property values throughout Broome County rose 10.5% in 2025, a fact he attributed to investments in new housing and businesses. Garnar pointed to the more than 1,000 units of housing currently being constructed throughout the county, including those at Riverside Gardens.
While the budget will continue in the trend of lowering property taxes, 2026 rates will only drop 0.1%.
The budget also features the expansion of Broome County’s senior citizen property-tax exemption for the first time in two decades, allowing more seniors to qualify for relief on their property taxes amid an increased cost of living.
Youth funding in 2026 Broome budget
Garnar said Broome County’s Youth Bureau will be restored to standalone department status for the first time in 15 years in 2026.
During the address, Garnar updated residents on the progress of a 200-slot county day care center located at Oakdale Commons, which he said will open in late 2026, and mark the largest increase in child care availability in Broome County history.
Garnar announced increased funding for GiGi’s Playhouse, a local nonprofit seeking to empower individuals with Down syndrome. The organization will expand with a new workforce training program to give participants the skills they need to enter the workforce, with funding going toward an expansion of the organization’s Oakdale Commons space.
To support the GiGi’s Playhouse expansion, the 2026 budget will include a $500,000 expansion of the Small Community Grant Program, which has supported over 150 projects throughout the county since 2018.
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Broome County’s 2026 budget: What to know about $3.5 million reduction, tax rate
Reporting by Riccardo Monico, Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin / Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin
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