Sullivan County 2018 budget unveiled

Estimated 2.3% tax increase

FRITZ MAYER
Posted 10/25/17

MONTICELLO, NY — The Sullivan County portion of residents’ property tax bills is estimated to rise 2.3% for 2018. According to a press release, that increase is less that the …

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Sullivan County 2018 budget unveiled

Estimated 2.3% tax increase

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MONTICELLO, NY — The Sullivan County portion of residents’ property tax bills is estimated to rise 2.3% for 2018. According to a press release, that increase is less that the state-mandated property tax cap.

In presenting the proposed budget on October 19, county manager Josh Potosek said the budget “invests heavily in what’s important to our residents: highways and bridges, public safety, economic development, community beautification, and health and wellness. It does so, however, without significantly increasing property taxes, the burden of which, as a county resident myself, I understand.”

The total budget for the year is a bit more than $226 million. According to a posting on the county website, the budget anticipates $2.3 million from casino revenue-sharing from Resorts World Catskills, scheduled to open in March, and an increase in sales tax of $2.9 million.

The generally improving revenue scenario has led to the expansion of the county workforce this year, and continues into next year, with $750,000 going to pay for two more assistant district attorneys and five more sheriff’s deputies to bolster law enforcement efforts.

Funding has also be allocated to gradually increase the minimum wage for county employees to $15 per hour with in an attempt to “attract and retain qualified personnel in a newly competitive market.”

The effort to spruce up the county will include a new program beginning in the spring that will allow municipalities that demolish abandoned and derelict buildings to deposit up to $75,000 worth of demolition debris at the transfer station free of charge.

The budget also allocates $40,000 for new sustainable energy support programs. The full budget can be viewed at co.sullivan.ny.us. The legislature will now review the proposed budget and consider any changes before the December 20 vote.

sullivan county, budget

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