Potosek (file): “Meaningful
investments” in infrastructure,
public safety, economic
development
MONTICELLO – Sullivan County is getting a new jail, and the tax hit, at least for next year, won’t be as big as once feared. County Manager Joshua Potosek released his 2017 budget proposal late Friday afternoon, with a tax increase of less than five percent.
The county legislature will conduct a thorough review, including meeting with department heads, before voting on the budget in December.
The manager said his 2017 tentative budget covers the full cost of construction and eventual operation of the new county jail and sheriff’s administration building.
“What was years ago, feared to cost over $100 million dollars and a resulting tax increase in the double digits, now will require a 4.77 percent tax increase,” Potosek said. “Meaningful investments have also been included for infrastructure, economic development, public safety, organizational efficiency, and various quality of life issues while maintaining our fund balance levels well in excess of a level recommended by rating agencies and by our own Fund Balance Policy.”
Potosek said the recommended budget provides sufficient funding for road maintenance to address approximately 23 percent of county highways through paving or surface treatment. It also calls for investments in the county facilities that would result in reduced operational and maintenance costs as well as improved building security.
The county manager also has created the new Division of Environmental Sustainability, Beautification and Recreation. That would include the Office of Sustainable Energy and the Department of Parks, Recreation and Beautification. The proposal to include the two departments in the newly created division stems from the synergy that exists between the preservation of our environment and natural resources and the development of the County’s recreational opportunities.”
2017 Tentative Budget Fiscal Summary:
Total Budgetary Appropriations: $217,105,669
Property Tax Levy: $61,386,989
Includes $2,200,000 allowance for 2018 Debt Services for the new jail and Sheriff administrative building
Increase in Property Tax Rate: 4.77%
Increase in tax liability for $100,000 of assessment: $53.43 per year
Sales Tax Anticipation: $38.5 million
To view the 2017 Tentative Sullivan County Budget Detail please click here
