The Broome Legislature passes the county's 2010 budget Monday night.

It's a $353 million dollar spending plan and includes a 6.6% property tax rate increase.

Which is about 3% higher than County Executive Barbara Fiala initially proposed.

As Action News Reporter Leigh Dana tells us, Fiala's administration believes the Executive will veto it.

For the last time, legislators look to trim the proposed 2010 budget, knowing next year's is going to be even worse.

"Next year looks really ugly and we're doing everything we can to secure funds this year so that we are not as deep in a hole as we otherwise would be," says Finance Chairman, Mark Whalen.

The county currently faces a $4 million dollar deficit and a $9 million dollar shortfall in sales tax revenue.

Leaving the legislature no choice but to lower 2010's proposed revenue by $1.9 million dollars.

And raise Executive Barbara Fiala's initial tax rate hike of 3.7% to 6.6%.

"I absolutely hate raising taxes, but unfortunately we're in a nightmare situation where we're in a huge economic recession," says Democratic Legislator, Jason Garnar.

Republican Legislator, Jerry Marinich was also against the tax hike.

He voted against the budget.

Fiala, who is still recovering from knee surgery was not present at the meeting, but has previously said she would like to see no more than a 5% tax increase.

"She has the ability to veto each line item separately . So she'll have to look at each item they dealt with tonight and tabulate what impact that has on the property tax," says Deputy County Executive, Patrick Brennan.

And vetoes, Brennan says, are definitely a possibility.

In Binghamton, Leigh Dana, WBNG TV, Action News.

Fiala has until November 19th to make vetoes.

It then moves back to the Legislature, where it would require a three-fifths majority to override any vetoes.

The final budget must be completed by November 30.