WBFO 88.7

Erie County's Fiscal Outlook Mixed

Mark Scott

BUFFALO, NY (2007-07-31): Erie County's fiscal outlook is mixed as the county enters the final six months of 2007.

County Comptroller Mark Poloncarz released his second quarter financial report Monday. It shows sales tax revenues are running ahead of last year's pace. But Poloncarz says there are a couple of clouds on the horizon that could have a negative effect on county finances.

The Comptroller says the county made a payment that was not in the budget of $8.8 million to the Erie County Medical Center. And the Erie County Fiscal Stability Authority refused to approve the sale of tax liens to a private company, costing the county $4 million in revenue.

Poloncarz says that could leave the county in a $13 million hole by year's end. He describes the control board's actions as "unacceptable."