POUGHKEEPSIE – Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro released his 2017 annual report to the county legislature on Thursday reporting that the county’s finances “have turned a corner and are once again seeing growth,” In fact, he said the 2017 property tax levy and rate went down.
The county executive warned outside forces continue to challenge his administration’s efforts to control spending. The governor’s proposed state budget “does not offer significant mandate relief,” Molinaro said. Yet, “although there are many mandated programs and services that we have no control over, we are focused on driving down costs in the mandated areas where we have limited control including jail costs, child institution and foster care and Medicaid.”
Molinaro said the Dutchess County economy was stable in 2017 with unemployment at about four percent as seen before the recession; countywide assessed valuation up slightly for the second year; and the housing market was up.
He warned that “Although our fund balance remains stable, we must remain vigilant as there are many uncertainties ahead and 40 percent of county revenues are sensitive to economic changes.”
