Collins Budget Official

County Executive Chris Collins officially unveiled his spending plan Wednesday, and Erie County homeowners could get hit with a three-point-six percent tax hike under the 2009 proposed budget. Collins says he needed to fill a multi-million dollar budget gap created by rising fuel and health-benefit costs. A five-percent budget cut was implemented on facilities including the Buffalo Zoo, Philharmonic, Historical Society and Museum of Science. Collins says his budget will hold the line on contracted union increases.