Raymond Pignone is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media Columbia County leadership on Wed., Dec. 14, will deliver to the Board of Supervisors a proposed $163.3 million budget for 2023 that includes a 2 percent tax levy. No cuts in services, layoffs or elimination of county programs are anticipated. County officials said a healthy revenue flow, continued maintenance of infrastructure and providing services to residents dealing with a changing economy and personal difficulties are the goals of the proposed spending plan. “I’m happy to say that through the efforts of county officers, committee chairs, committee members and department heads, we’ve crafted a 2023 budget that adheres to the goals of addressing the needs of residents and continues to develop financial stability,” Columbia County Board of Supervisors Chairman and Budget Officer Matt Murell said December 9. The tax rate decrease of 7.5 percent and the tax levy put the proposed fiscal plan under the state tax cap, Murell said. The proposed budget contains the salary increases required under four collective bargaining agreements as well as raises for non-union employees and officers. Murell credited the county’s stable financial position to balanced budgeting, implementation of cost controls, consolidations achieved through the Central Business Office, measures originated by county department heads and the support of the Board of Supervisors. Also on December 9, Columbia County Treasurer PJ Keeler announced Moody’s Investor Service’s Issuer Ratings and debt instrument placed Columbia County near the top of their scoring. The ratings measure the financial condition of 1,104 U.S. cities and counties. Moody’s outlook for Columbia County remains at “Aa3,” a score that results in discounted borrowing interest rates, thereby saving significant tax dollars over the life of the bonds, Keeler said. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.