MONTICELLO, NY — The Sullivan County Legislature voted unanimously on June 16 to override the 2% Albany-mandated property tax in Sullivan County. Extra revenue is needed to pay for the new $95 million Sullivan County Jail, which is due to go out for bids soon. County Manager Josh Potosek has estimated that the project will call for a 5% property tax increase on the county’s portion of the property tax, which consists of about 20% of the typical homeowner’s property tax bill.

Before the vote, members of the community spoke out about lifting the tax cap, and most were opposed.

Former legislator Kitty Vetter reacted to the suggestion by some lawmakers that the increase may be reduced in the future once tax revenue from the new casino is realized. Vetter said, “We do not have a true sales-tax base, and assuming an increase in future sales is just wrong.”

On the other side of the issue, two residents who regularly attend county meetings, Chris Lesser and Ken Walter, said they were in favor of lifting the property tax cap.

In the end the legislature passed it without much comment, but the new jail has been a constant and continuing topic of conversation in committee meetings.