Chair

Sullivan County Legislature

District 1 Legislator

To the editor:

Thank you for the work you did to share the financial updates provided by County Manager Josh Potosek. His report was a confirmation and culmination of the work and dedication of the seated Legislature to fortify the finances of Sullivan County and address the misguided kick the can down the road mentality of previous administrations.

It is, and has been this Legislature’s commitment to prudent financial management that shepherded Sullivan County to a point of financially stability for the FIRST TIME in recorded history.  

I first considered a run for Legislator while I watched from the sidelines as the previous legislature overspent revenues three years in a row and once broke the tax cap. Sullivan County was bonding to do a minimal amount of roads and severely underfunded the Sheriff’s department. In the contract prior to my participation in negotiations, the CSEA was given two zeros and still had no health insurance in retirement. 

This legislature has not bonded a single dollar, has paid off over $18 million in debt early, and is on track to pay off another $25 million in the next two years if the majority holds.

And, we continue to look toward the future with positivity that this county has not known in decades. We will not be raising taxes for the second straight year despite massive cuts in Medicaid from New York State. We have made a record investment in infrastructure in the county and will be doing it again this year. We negotiated exceedingly competitive and fair contracts to the Sheriff’s Patrol and Jail Divisions, including health insurance in retirement. We have done all of this without overburdening the taxpayer of today or the taxpayer of the future.

Not all is rosy, and we had to roll up our sleeves and spend close to $10 million of the $14.7 we received in area monies on heating systems and roofs at SUNY Sullivan because of the absence of funding from the State level.  Not all legislators have been on board with the work it took to get us to this point of stability, however. Some do not agree with a zero tax increase, unprecedented and debt-free investment in infrastructure, and public safety approach. On December 8, 2022 Ms. Rajsz voted no on the adoption of the budget because “it doesn’t raise taxes enough.” Mr. Perello was absent for the budget vote and Mr. Alvarez also voted no. This lack of support for the Budget while accepting the praise that comes with this legislature’s financial accomplishments is troubling to say the least. 

Spending within our limits and continued financial prudence is the way forward for a prosperous Sullivan County. It is key to creating a Sullivan County where our children can stay and raise their families, and where growth is possible. The path here has not been absent of conflict, but as my good friend Danny Brey says “ you gotta break some eggs to make a good omelet.”