POUGHKEEPSIE – Dutchess
County lawmakers Thursday night adopted the county’s 2016 budget
of $456 million following a three hour session.
The spending plan, which comes in under the state’s tax cap, lowers
property taxes for residents.
The session was spent on legislators’ proposing amendments with
Democrat Joel Tyner offering 50 over a two-hour period. Most of those
failed.
Legislature Chairman Robert Rolison said the budget is a well thought
out document.
County Executive Marcus Molinaro was appreciative the legislative approval
was bi-partisan.
“We have provided the largest tax levy reduction in 16 years, the
largest tax rate reduction in eight years. We are expanding our expanding
our services to respond to domestic violence, child abuse and child neglect,
and to provide for assistance to seniors and veterans,” he said.
The vote was 19 to 4 with the dissenters being minority party Democrats.
