Dutchess County’s $629 million budget for 2025 passes

POUGHKEEPSIE — The Dutchess County’s Legislature adopted their 2025 budget on Monday, Dec. 9, with a 23-2 bipartisan vote.

The budget includes a $629.4 million spending plan. The adopted budget included several amendments to County Executive Sue Serino’s budget, which she proposed earlier in October.

Businesses and homeowners will see a 2.7% decrease in the county’s property tax rates. Last year, the property tax rate was $2.23 and with the approved budget, this will be lowered to $2.17 in 2025, marking the tenth consecutive year of property tax rate cuts.

The 2025 budget also aims to improve services that residents rely on for their day-to-day lives. Many new initiatives focus on public safety, youth services and support for seniors, veterans and families. In addition, the initiatives open up support for the Dutchess County Drug Task Force, Housing Trust fund applications, historic investments in Emergency Medical Services and more.

County legislators made several amendments to the 2025 county budget, which were unanimously approved, creating additional funding for existing and new projects including, but not limited to, $750,000 for the Dutchess County Sheriff’s office for overtime purposes at the county’s justice and transition center, $500,000 for the Department of Planning & Development to fund the Municipal Innovation Grant program with a specific focus on the elderly, $50,000 for the Office of Veterans’ Affairs for expanded transportation services, and $50,000 to the Department of Community and Family Services Youth Division to fund after-school programming to serve at-risk youth.

Chris Drago (D-19), was one of two lawmakers who voted no on the 2025 Dutchess County Budget.

“While the budget included a few things that we have been advocating for this year, it did not go far enough in addressing our cost of living, housing, climate, mental health, or EMS crisis here in Dutchess County,” Drago said. “There will be other opportunities to adjust the budget as needs arise in 2025, and I plan to continue to advocate for more resources in the Planning Department to address our cost of living and housing crisis.”

The newest version of the budget will be reviewed and signed by Serino. It will then go to the Dutchess County Legislature’s Board meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 18, for override consideration of amendment vetoes made by the County Executive, if any.

For more information on the 2025 Dutchess County Budget, visit dutchessny.gov/budget2025.

Latest News

Millbrook Library holds January personal care drive

The Millbrook Library on Franklin Avenue is accepting personal care items for a drive until the end of January.

Photo by Nathan Miller

MILLBROOK — Throughout the month of January, the Millbrook Library is collecting personal care items as part of a donation drive sponsored by the United Way in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Service Week.

Among items suggested for donation are hair care products including shampoo and hairbrushes, soap, alcohol-free mouthwash, dental care products, women’s products, deodorant and shaving needs.

Millerton Fire Company to host pancake breakfast

On Sunday, Jan. 26, the Millerton Fire Company will be hosting a pancake breakfast at the fire house on Century Boulevard in the Village of Millerton.

Photo by Krista A. Briggs

MILLERTON — On Sunday, Jan. 26, the Millerton Fire Company will be hosting a pancake breakfast at the firehouse. Breakfast will be served starting at 7 a.m. Guests can indulge in eggs made to order, home fries, bacon and sausage, toast and — of course — pancakes. Breakfast is served until 11 a.m., and tickets cost $12 for adults and $8 for seniors. Children 12 and under will dine for free.

Pancakes will be available in blueberry and chocolate varieties.

Salisbury Association opens new preserve

The trailhead for the newly opened preserve.

Alec Linden

SALISBURY — Another 47 acres of pristine Salisbury woodland are now open to the public, thanks to the completion of a hiking trail on the Hecht Preserve located on Route 112.

The Salisbury Association Land Trust acquired the land from John and Mary Belter and Helen Belter Hill in late 2023, aided by funding from the Connecticut Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Program, U.S. Fish & Wildlife’s Highlands Act, and a generous donation from the Anne and Rollin Bates Foundation.

Keep ReadingShow less
New syringe production line up and running at BD

Becton Dickinson’s North Canaan plant opened in 1961 with eight employees and a 25,000 square foot facility. Today the operation employs more than 540 people and encompasses 385,000 square feet.

Provided

NORTH CANAAN — New production lines installed in 2024 at Becton, Dickinson and Company’s Connecticut and Nebraska plants are now pumping out critical medical devices — including syringes, needles and IV catheters — to meet the burgeoning needs of the nation’s health care system.

One syringe production line is already fully operational at the vaccine manufacturer’s 385,000 square foot North Canaan plant, with additional lines expected to start up in the coming months, the leading global medical technology company announced on Jan. 15.

Keep ReadingShow less