Erie County has a $1.5 billion budget in place for 2019.

The spending plan was approved by the Erie County Legislature last week by a vote of 8 to 3.

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz signed and enacted the budget Tuesday.

Included in the budget are more funds for road and bridge repair as well as increased allotments for social service groups.

The budget also includes a two percent reduction in the tax rate, the county’s largest cut in nearly two decades.

Republican leaders, however, voiced their concerns that the budget increase government spending, adds unnecessary jobs and fails to reduce taxes.