County legislators representing greater Baldwinsville voted with the 13-6 majority Tuesday, Oct. 11, approving the $1.2 billion budget for Onondaga County.

Residents in Lysander and Van Buren will see a decrease in their county tax bill thanks to the budget, which includes a $5.6 million reduction in the tax levy.

Based on a home assessed at $100,000, residents in the town of Lysander (living outside the village) will see their county taxes decrease $44; those living within the village will see a decrease of $28; Van Buren residents (living outside the village) will see a decrease of $105; and those living within the village will see a decrease of $37.

“The Town of Van Buren will end up in the best shape from this budget with a tax decrease of about 16.5 percent,” said Legislator Bob Warner, who represents Van Buren residents.

While county officials were able to cut providing lower tax rates, Legislator Rich Lesniak, who represents Lysander and a portion of Clay, warned that next year will be difficult.

“We cannot continue to nibble around the edges of our county departments anymore. There is nothing left to take. It will have to be major cuts in services provided by police, parks and highway because that is where your local dollars are spent and that is where we have control over the spending. Everything else is controlled by a state mandate,” he said.