SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — The Sullivan County Legislature passed its budget—but not without one last squabble.

This one centered on how to pay for the much-higher-than-expected insurance hike of $2 million, whether with fund balance or by raising taxes.

The split was mostly partisan. Republicans Rob Doherty, Michael Brooks and Alan Sorenson favored the use of fund balance, while Democrats Luis Alvarez, Nadia Rajsz, Ira Steingart and Joe Perrello said they preferred raising taxes to reduce pressure on the following year’s budget.

County communications director Dan Hust said the county wasn’t  notified about the increase until November 30. The budget needed to be passed on December 14, and the legislature had to determine by then how the extra cost would be covered. 

Perrello’s proposal to pay for it completely through a tax increase failed when put to a vote. 

Brooks suggested a compromise: use $1 million of fund balance and raise the second million through a tax increase. 

Sorenson voted against the compromise and was prepared to offer a third option — but the compromise passed.