MONTICELLO – SUNY Sullivan President David Potash gave his pitch for the 2026-2027 SUNY Sullivan budget to the county legislature during a public hearing on Thursday, August 20.

Potash said rising costs coupled with the desire to maintain programs and prioritize student growth means that the college needs more county support. In order to complete the $15,352,469 budget, he asked the legislature to raise investment in the college to $5 million, which is up from the $4.3 million the county has been paying annually since 2014.

The legislature’s resolution to increase county support for the college to $5 million was put to a roll call vote and carried 9-0.

“This is an extraordinarily important budget and it’s an important moment for the college,” said Potash. “We have to head the college in the right direction for long-term sustainability to become the vehicle that provides education, support, and opportunity for all of Sullivan County.”

Potash said it was essential for the college to have a realistic budget, which is why his staff has been cutting costs and trying to diversify revenue sources.

In March, the college announced it was eliminating 15 full-time staff positions amid financial concerns.

Potash said operating costs have gone up significantly since 2014. “The college’s budget is the smallest in five years, we’ve cut back as much as possible, but for us to get a balanced budget we need your support to raise [$4.3 million] up to $5 million.”

That $5 million, according to Potash, will protect all of the college’s recent changes, enable the college to keep the current programs and staffing, and allow for continued enrollment growth and enhanced impact.

“I know this is a difficult time and a difficult ask, but I believe that an investment in SUNY Sullivan is a collective investment in our county’s future,” reasoned Potash. “And I think the return on investment is going to pay off in significant ways.”

“You’re doing a great job,” said Legislature Chair Nadia Rajsz, who endorsed Potash’s budget. “This is the best way we can support our students in this county.”

District 8 Legislator Amanda Ward also praised Potash, saying, “I think [SUNY Sullivan] is our biggest treasure, and we should invest all we can in that.”

District 7 Legislator Joe Perrello submitted a qualified praise of Potash’s efforts: “You’ve done what we asked, you streamlined the budget. Maybe not enough, but you did what you could do. But going forward, this college is going to have to sustain itself.”

Perrello said residents need to understand that this increase in county support for the college represents a tax hike for residents. “I hope you don’t come back for more,” concluded Perrello.