Erie County Executive Brenton Davis has officially unveiled the county's proposed budget for 2025.
The $582 million spending plan includes no tax increase for taxpayers.
However, Davis wants to use $3.8 million in rainy day funds to help cover a $7 million deficit.
Davis' proposal includes the elimination of 74 vacant positions, which is expected to save the county $4.5 million dollars.
"These are positions we couldn't fill," said Davis. "We haven't been able to fill some of them for multiple years, and the reasons being, when you look at these positions, most of these positions are low-earning positions that do not pay a family-sustaining wage."
The budget also includes $2.5 million to improve ambulance services throughout the county.
If approved, the budget includes another $1 million for the Erie County Resiliency Center.
Located in the the former work release building, the center will serve as an overflow shelter for Erie's homeless.
"It's the streets to sustainability initiative," said Davis. "We turned a place of hopelessness into a place of hope."
Davis' proposal also includes $500,000 in improvements for in-home child care facilities. Davis also wants to eliminate the Human Relations Commission, saving the county $362,000.
"I take a firm stance that this is a duplication of services," said Davis. "We've had conversations with council, and there might be a small demand for this, but it doesn't equate the $362,000 proposed in this budget."
According to Davis, his administration has also leveraged nearly $11 million in American Rescue Plan funds and gaming revenue into $43 million.
"I said from the very beginning that every municipality should see an investment from the ARP money," said Davis. "My administration has made good on that promise, some three, four, and five times over."
Erie County Council must approve a final budget by December 1.