NORWICH – Despite a last minute motion by Columbus Supervisor Tom Grace to amend the 2015 Chenango County budget, county representatives unanimously passed the financial plan as written on Tuesday.

The $86.9 million budget comes in under a stringent 1.9 percent property tax cap this year, making this the fourth consecutive year the county has adhered the state mandated cap. Even so, Grace reasoned that county taxpayers could save tens of thousands of dollars by eliminating one of the three fraud investigator positions at the Department of Social Services.

Board members, however, turned down Grace’s motion, citing responsibilities of the position that extend beyond fraud investigation.

A public hearing and presentation for the 2015 budget was called at the Chenango County Office Building Tuesday night, giving county residents a chance to weigh in on the plan which calls for an approximate 1.78 percent tax increase, or about $12 per year for the average taxpayer. Town of Guilford resident Gilda Ward was one of two county residents who spoke.

“There are many people who are struggling in this county who can barely pay the taxes on their property,” Ward said to Board members. “What you spend and what you vote on here can make the difference between them being able to afford their property and not. It’s very crucial that you keep that in mind.”

In a budget overview, Chenango County Treasurer William Craine explained that the county’s financial planning adheres to six precepts which include: