Village representatives hope they will be able to plead their case to the Onondaga County Legislature March 15 and keep sales tax revenue cuts, at the least, to a minimum.

In the villages of Camillus, Elbridge, Jordan and Marcellus, sales tax revenue accounts for up to a third of the annual operating budget. The legislature has proposed slashing villages’ cut by up to 40 percent to fill a $55 million deficit in 2011, but village representatives argue that the cuts would provide only minor relief to the county at a severe cost to villages.

“It’s troublesome,” said Jordan Mayor Dick Platten. “If the whole idea is to save money, they’re going after the wrong people.”

Platten added that the revenue allotted to villages only represents 2.9 percent of the county’s sales tax revenue.

In Marcellus, Trustee Mary Jo Paul urged residents to back the village by attending the public hearing, or even sending a letter of support that could be read to the Legislature.

“This is going to impact each and every one of us,” Paul said.

The sales tax review public hearing begins at 9 a.m. Monday March 15 at the Onondaga County Courthouse, 401 Montgomery St., Syracuse. The meeting is open to the public.