It's The Dawn Of A Bright New Day

Congratulations, Oneida County! For a while it looked like your record-setting run as the state's sales tax champions was in jeopardy. Short sighted elected officials had promised the county's elevated sales tax would end in November, but luckily cooler heads prevailed and those promises were thrown out the window.

PAST: A 1.5 percentage point sales tax hike was initiated in 2005. The sales tax went as high as 9.75 percent before dropping to 9 percent. Under the 2005 legislation, the tax was supposed to drop to 8 percent this winter.

PRESENT: The Oneida County Board of Legislators passed legislation Wednesday that will officially make the county sales tax 8.75 percent on Dec. 1. The vote passed 28-1. The tax expires in November 2009. The legislation also includes the option to reduce the tax to 8.5 percent next year.

The county's sales tax is currently 9 percent.

FUTURE: Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente said property taxes could increase.

He has not said by how much, but said he will have a percentage by Oct. 5.

Feel the pride, people. Even more taxes are on the way!