ERIE COUNTY
06/22/09 07:05 AM

Erie County Comptroller Mark C. Poloncarz says he has seen further downturns in revenue from the sales tax and mortgage tax, two sources of money shared with municipalities.

Poloncarz said that sales tax revenue through April slid by 6 percent from last year and that this year’s first distribution of mortgage tax revenue to the county’s cities, towns and villages is 22 percent smaller—$1.66 million less—than the 2008 figure.

“The reduction in the mortgage tax distribution reflects the weakened state of the economy and fewer or less expensive property transfers occurring in Erie County,” Poloncarz said. “These lower receipts negatively impact nearly every city, town and village and may further exacerbate existing budget shortfalls in local governments.”

© Copyright 2009, The Buffalo News