KINGSTON — Ulster County has seen a substantial increase in sales tax
collection for 2015, the state comptroller’s office confirmed.
The multi-million increase placed the county as one of the exceptions
among the 57 counties outside the City of New York, with collections up
over four percent from the previous year. A total of 30 counties experienced
losses, lowering the statewide growth average in local sales tax to 0.7
percent.
The final numbers from the state tax department showed Ulster County
as having the benefit of an unparalleled increase among Hudson Valley
counties. Neighboring Dutchess and Orange counties lagged behind some
three percent behind Ulster while Sullivan County trailed by over two
percent.
Ulster joined Saratoga, Hamilton and Steuben counties as one of only
four outside the metro area to experience increases above three percent.
Ulster County Comptroller Elliott Auerbach said the county’s increase
in sales tax revenue has a trickle-down effect on the towns, villages
and City of Kingston, which share in the gain. Those local governments
shae 14.5 percent of the revenue while the county retains 85.5 percent.
