County manager unveils $267 million tentative budget

MONTICELLO –– County Manager Josh Potosek has been involved in the budget process in Sullivan County for 16 years. He presented the 2023 Tentative County Budget to legislators on Thursday, calling it the most “fiscally conservative, fiscally sound” proposal submitted during that time period.

The tentative budget, which totals $267,069,580, features a projected .127 percent tax rate decrease - the first since 2019. 

According to the County, the budget reduces debt, expands existing services, avoids layoffs and eliminates the Solid Waste Access Fee – all without raising taxes. It also does not propose incurring new debt or dipping into the fund balance of the General Fund.

Furthermore, the elimination of the Solid Waste Access Fee is expected to save residents $45 - $50 and businesses up to $750, annually per parcel. 

“As proposed by my office, the 2023 Tentative Sullivan County Budget prioritizes what’s important to our residents: tax relief, debt reduction, road and bridge investment, and cost-effective government,” Potosek said. “At the same time, it does not burden taxpayers with further tax hikes but carefully positions the County for a stable financial future.”

Some highlights of the tentative budget include:

• $21 million for road and bridgework throughout the County, to be achieved without going into debt by bonding

• $5 million for a 20-year building plan with County facilities and the creation of an indoor arena at SUNY Sullivan.

• $1 million to keep Move Sullivan’s buses running along four newly expanded routes

• $200,000 to implement the recommendations of the just-completed Housing Study

• $200,000 to invest in employee training, higher education and leadership development

• $200,000 to demolish blighted properties via the Sullivan County Land Bank

• $150,000 for a Countywide Parks Master Plan

• More funding for the Sullivan Promise Scholarship (doubling the tuition reimbursement from one year to two years), the Youth Bureau, and the Bureau of Fire’s firefighter recruitment effort.

The County Clerk’s Office and the Department of Motor Vehicles (which it oversees) will renovate their offices to improve workflow and customer service, while the Office of Emergency Management is proposed to add a deputy commissioner and support staff.

“Thanks to the continuingly robust economy, the 2023 Tentative Budget can add staff and services while eliminating short-term debt,” Potosek explained. “Nevertheless, we are keeping a close eye on fiscal responsibility, and this budget prepares the County to weather a recession, should it occur.”