Hein: “… fiscally responsible as well as socially responsible…”
KINGSTON – Ulster County Executive Michael
Hein’s proposed 2016 county budget carries a 1.1 percent property
tax cut, cuts county spending by $4.5 million over last year and includes
no reduction in services or layoffs.
The spending plan also includes a continuation of his “Building
a Better Ulster County” infrastructure program with an additional
$15 million, for a two-year investment of $30 million.
It includes a county-wide fire training center and 911 emergency technology
upgrade; funding to fight heroin addiction; continue funding for the “Career
Ladder” job creation program; and expand the Meals on Wheels program.
“Last year I made a promise to the hardworking men and women of
Ulster County to lower their property taxes; and so, for 2016, Ulster
County property taxes are going down – again, and by almost $1 million,”
Hein said. “This budget continues my administration’s commitment
to being both fiscally responsible as well as socially responsible and
we have accomplished this in an era of complex fiscal stressors that have
severely challenged all local governments.”
County Legislature Chairman John Parete thanked Hein “for
supporting the work of the legislature’s Ulster Coalition Against
Narcotics by recognizing and funding the coalition’s recommendation
for an ombudsman.
We will continue the coalition’s good work with legislation coming
before the legislature this month and with this budgetary partnership
with the executive, we will continue to make progress on this very serious
health issue affecting Ulster County families.”
