Dutchess County sets 2024 budget

POUGHKEEPSEE — The final $601 million 2024 County Budget increases county overall spending by 2.2%, reduces property tax rates, increases county sales and hotel tax rates, and includes a $418,000 last-minute pay increase for legislators and elected county officials.

The budget was approved Dec. 7 in a bipartisan vote of 15-9; it was opposed by six Democrats and three Republicans.

Property tax

The much-publicized 2024 property tax rate decrease from $2.94 to $2.23 per thousand represents only a $50,000 reduction in the actual $99.4 million in property taxes projected to be collected in 2024 due to rising property values.

Property taxes fund about 17% of the county’s $601 million budget.

Sales tax

The .25%increase in sales taxes to 4%, which everyone will pay on purchases of goods and services, adding over $16 million in revenues over 2023. The increase must still be approved the New York State Legislature.

Sales taxes are expected to raise $267 million and finance about 44% of county spending.

The total sales tax will rise to 8.375% with 4% to New York state, 4% to the county and .375% to the MTA commuter tax.

According to the Tax Foundation, New Yorkers pay the 10th highest state and local sales taxes in the country.

New spending, new salaries

Increased spending amendments approved by the Budget, Finance, and Personnel Committee added $1,171,453 to the original 2024 budget presented by the County Executive, William O’Neil. This Committee is composed of 12 members: nine Republicans and three Democrats.

All three Democrats on the committee opposed the salary increases added to the budget in a Nov. 15 meeting after elections were held.

The $418,000 increase in pay and benefits upped legislators’ salaries to $27,500, a 67.8% increase, and the chairman of the Legislature to $54,500, a 55.9% increase, along with a 17.8% increase for the county executive to $185,600.

Other amendments that were unanimously approved included contingency funding of $500,000 for the Board of Elections; an additional $350,000 to the county sheriff for road patrol overtime; $200,000 to the Department of Planning and Development for a competitive grant program; $100,000 increase in programs for veterans; and $50,000 for a “Stay Local” promotional Dutchess Tourism campaign.

O’Neil’s vetoes

O’Neil, who became county executive when Mark Molinaro was elected as U.S. representative in New York’s 19th District, declined to veto the pay raises, which were added to O’Neil’s initial proposed budget.

In a scathing letter to the outgoing chair of the Legislature, O’Neil did veto a few amendments — totaling $77,339 — but left the pay raises alone. The Legislature allowed his veto of $52,000 in increased social services programs and $20,000 increase to the Human Rights Commission. It voted to override his veto of $3,000 for cell phones for police officers.