ESOPUS – Ulster County Executive Patrick Ryan, Thursday, signed the county’s 2020 budget into law providing a quarter-of-one percent decrease in the tax levy.
The $342.28 million spending plan includes funding to continue the fight against opioid abuse, for renewable energy infrastructure, and prioritizing smart economic growth while reducing the burden on taxpayers.
“Our government is about priorities, this budget delivers on my ‘Big Five’ while keeping Ulster County affordable with the lowest tax levy in a decade,” Ryan said during a signing ceremony in Esopus.
County Legislature Chairwoman Tracey Bartels credited the partnership between Ryan and the lawmakers for delivering on new initiatives to serve county residents.
The spending plan includes Ryan’s Green New Deal, Green Careers Academy, additional funding for the Department of the Environment, a commitment to reach 100 percent renewable energy by 2030, additional funding for the sheriff’s office, implementing the multi-year CHASE grant in the Department of Health, establishing a Department of Economic Development, creating the county’s first-ever chief diversity officer and creating full-time youth bureau director and human rights commissioner positions.
