The tax levy for 2024 remains flat, and the budget does not propose any new debt or use of the county’s fund balance.

Highlights include:

$23.6 million for road and bridgework

$2 million for a housing trust fund to address the housing crisis

$2 million to provide for the design and renovation of county office spaces.

$700,000 for the Sullivan Promise Scholarship Program, which provides up to two full years of tuition-free attendance at SUNY Sullivan for local high school graduates

$450,000 to expand Move Sullivan’s bus routes to Cochecton, Eldred, Foxcroft Village,Grahamsville, Jeffersonville, Livingston Manor, Narrowsburg, Neversink and Roscoe

$424,000 for the next legislature to offer to eligible community nonprofits

$360,000 to replace patrol vehicles in the sheriff’s office

$300,000 (an increase of $100,000 over last year) for the Youth Bureau to fund local organizations serving youth and their families

$300,000 to demolish blighted properties

$165,000 to hire new dispatchers in the sheriff’s office, allowing two more deputies to patrol

$150,000 for a study to map the water supply, especially in areas facing development

$100,000 for improvements to the county’s Lake Superior State Park, including an expanded beach and walking trails

$45,000 for an animal control officer to liaison with public health on rabies 

The budget also proposes that all vacant assistant district attorney positions be set at a floor of $90,000 a year, along with salary increases for existing assistant district attorney. 

Also, new positions are proposed to be added to Office for the Aging for personal care aides, community health workers, and an epidemiologist supervisor to boost the county’s health rankings.

A searchable budget

Full details are available in a searchable online document at https://county-sullivan-ny-budget-

book.cleargov.com/13509 (also accessible through www.sullivanny.us).

“This is more than an online budget viewing tool,” said county manager Joshua Potosek. “It allows users to easily search for information, quickly find what they’re most interested in, and even generate their own charts and graphs. It is an interactive way of truly understanding our most complex fiscal document.”

He said “the continuingly robust economy” allows the county to add staff and services while eliminating short-term debt.

Legislators have until Dec. 20 to review, discuss, and adopt the budget. The public may watch budget committee meetings, to be announced over the next month, livestreamed on the legislature’s webpage.

Formal public hearings will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 5, at 5:30 p.m.; and Thursday, Dec. ,7 at 10:30 a.m., both at the government center in Monticello.

In the meantime, written comments are being accepted by clerk of the legislature, AnnMarie Martin, at annmarie.martin@sullivanny.us or 100 North St., Monticello, NY 12701.