Update:  The St. Lawrence County Board of Legislators announced it will hold a public hearing on a proposal to override the state's 2 percent property tax cap.

The meeting will be held at 5 p.m. Monday, August 29, in the Supreme Court Chambers at the county courthouse in Canton.

Our report from Monday:

St. Lawrence County legislators are considering overriding the state's 2 percent property tax cap as an option to help balance next year's budget.

Faced with a projected $10 to $13 million shortfall going into next year and no chance of being able to raise the county sales tax, county lawmakers like Donald Peck say something has to give - be it property taxes, non-mandated services or jobs.

"I think this board is going to have to override the tax cap. I can't see a budget officer or administrator preparing a budget within that 2 percent tax cap. I don't know how much over the 2 percent it would be," said Donald Peck (R - District 5).
 
Republican state senators Patty Ritchie and Joe Griffo have refused to back down from their position against introducing home rule legislation allowing the county the option of raising its sales tax to help deal with the budget crunch.
 
A suggestion is already being floated that would have the county administrator draft a budget with only the required mandated programs and attempting to stay within the tax cap.

County lawmakers would then have to get the necessary 8 votes if they wanted to restore services, programs or jobs.
                                                                        
Potsdam Legislator Jim Bunstone says stripping all non-mandated programs and requiring lawmakers to vote to restore things like the sheriff's road patrol, highway and bridge projects or health and mental health services could be risky.

"It would be fairer to everyone if we take a look at what's out there, where can we trim," said Bunstone (D - District 10).
 
The county's budget team has next year's spending plan draft down to a 15.5 percent tax increase.

That, in itself, could add on as much as $160 to an average tax bill.

County lawmakers are expected to discuss the tax cap override in more detail at next week's Finance Committee meeting.

Lawmakers would have to adopt a local law after holding a public hearing should the tax cap override plan move forward.