Legislators will review County Executive Maggie Brooks’ 2015 budget proposal in committee meetings this week.

Brooks presented the plan last week. She told legislators that the $1.2 billion spending plan keeps the county property tax rate frozen at $8.99 per $1,000 assessed value.

But the proposal also cuts funding the county for child day care subsidies. In total, the county will spend approximately $42 million on the programs, with most of the money coming from state grants. The county is contributing $4.2 million, which is down from its $4.6 million contribution in 2014.

Administration officials and department heads had to close a $31.3 million gap in this budget. Brooks said that the proposal includes $7.7 million in savings from internal efficiencies and streamlining, and eliminates 17 positions for a cost savings of $850,000. It also includes some additional revenues, including $5 million from assessment increases and $4 million from a state casino compact.

The committee meetings start at 5 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. A public hearing on the budget will be held on Thursday, December 4. BY JEREMY MOULE 


The Women’s Interfaith Coalition will present “Immigration Reality,” a talk by Grania Marcus, at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, November 19.

Marcus is a member of the Rochester Committee on Latin America and the Greater Rochester Coalition for Immigration Justice. Her talk will be held at the Jewish Community Federation, 441 East Avenue, and will be followed by a question-and-answer session. BY TIM LOUIS MACALUSO 


More open houses are scheduled this week for the City of Rochester’s new transit center. Customers will be able to learn about the center’s amenities and understand route and schedule changes. The center, located between St. Paul and North Clinton, opens on November 28.
This week, the open houses are:
• 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, November 17;
• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, November 19;
• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, November 20.  BY CHRISTINE CARRIE FIEN