The $411,974,090 adopted budget prioritizes infrastructure, housing, mental health, and climate with no increase to property tax or sales tax
KINGSTON, NY - Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger has signed the 2024 Ulster County Adopted Budget, a $411,974,090.00 spending plan that paves the way for exciting new investments in infrastructure, housing, climate, and mental health, among other priority areas proposed by the County Executive. Metzger was joined by Chair of the Ulster County Legislature Tracey Bartels and Budget Director Ken Juras for the signing in her office.
“I am proud to sign this budget, which keeps taxes flat for our residents and makes smart investments in County services, projects, and programs that will improve the quality of life here in Ulster County,” said Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger. “Heading into 2024, we will be able to rebuild our infrastructure, build new housing, combat the climate crisis, and so much more. I am honored to have been able to work in partnership with the Legislature to pass this budget, and I want to thank Chair of the Legislature Tracey Bartels and Chair of the Ways and Means Committee John Gavaris for their work and leadership in getting this responsible and forward-looking budget passed.”
“The 2024 budget addresses the most pressing needs of our residents while making smart investments for the future and keeping taxes flat,” said Chairwoman of the Ulster County Legislature Tracey Bartels. “With this budget, we have charted a course for a new process that is inclusive and collaborative and truly brings the Legislature into the budgeting process from the beginning. We are making significant investments in roads, bridges, housing, climate, and mental health and highlighting our commitment to strategic growth and improved services. I want to thank County Executive Jen Metzger and all the members of the County Legislature for together delivering the best possible for Ulster County residents.”
Background
The 2024 Operating Budget reflects a forward-thinking approach to addressing the diverse needs of the community and underscores the County's commitment to strategic investments in key areas that will foster growth, enhance infrastructure, and improve the overall quality of life for its residents. The Ulster County Legislature voted on Wednesday, December 6 to approve the 2024 Ulster County Operating Budget with an overwhelmingly bipartisan supermajority vote of 18 to 3 with two absences.
The 2024 Operating Budget, the first one prepared by Metzger since taking office, keeps property taxes and sales taxes flat and maintains a maximum fund balance as permitted by County policy, reserving 20% of operating expenditures in a “rainy day” fund to protect taxpayers from any economic uncertainty next year. The 2024 Operating Budget includes $17 million in mandated and required contractual spending, with the majority of that cost coming from just three mandated programs – Medicaid, Safety Net, and Early Intervention. With those required costs driving the increase, non-mandated expenses in the 2024 Executive Budget were limited to a less than 1.4% increase.
Recognizing the critical importance of robust infrastructure, nearly $20 million has been earmarked for comprehensive improvements to roads and bridges. This substantial investment not only ensures safer transportation but also contributes to the County's economic vitality.
Addressing the pressing issue of housing and homelessness, the budget funds a new office in the Department of Social Services (DSS) that will provide proactive, personalized assistance to clients who are experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity. Targeted assistance will be provided to residents to help them access available resources for emergency housing and support services, and connect to permanent housing options.
In the realm of mental health, the 2024 budget continues to prioritize the well-being of Ulster County's youth. The budget sustains funding for a successful pilot program initiated last year to provide extra mental health support to middle schools and makes a $3.8 million investment in a County Community Behavioral Health Center. This center will offer 24/7 crisis stabilization services, reinforcing the county's dedication to mental health care accessibility.
Recognizing the transformative power of education, the 2024 budget allocates $6.9 million in operating assistance for SUNY Ulster. This investment aims to ensure equitable access to higher education for all residents, fostering a skilled and empowered workforce for the future.
To expand access to vital services in the western part of the county, the budget earmarks $700,000 for Phase 1 improvements to the Trudy Resnick Farber Building in Ellenville. This strategic investment aims to transform the building into a community service hub, facilitating equitable access and enhancing the overall well-being of residents.
Moreover, the budget acknowledges the importance of sustainable practices by creating an Energy & Electrification Manager within the Department of Public Works. This key position will oversee energy improvement projects at county facilities, aligning Ulster County with environmentally conscious initiatives.
Recognizing the value of a skilled and empowered workforce, the budget establishes a robust training program for employees and introduces the Ulster County Leadership Academy. This academy will cater to emerging leaders within the county workforce, fostering professional development and ensuring the continuity of effective leadership.
The 2024 Operating Budget includes additional expected revenues from an increase in the occupancy tax, which is levied on hotel, motel, and short-term rental stays within the County. Earlier this year, the County Executive recommended to the County Legislature to increase the County’s occupancy tax from 2% to 4%, which is comparable to surrounding counties, and still lower than neighboring Dutchess County’s occupancy tax which is 5%. The 2024 Operating Budget seeks to dedicate 25% of annual revenues from the new occupancy tax to the Housing Action Fund, and 25% of annual revenues to the UCAT system.
The 2024 Executive Budget submitted in October included additional priorities of the County Executive that involve making improvements to County buildings and constructing new facilities to enhance public safety, increase public access to services, and decrease long-term operational costs while lowering emissions. These capital improvements include dedicating $18M to a Government Operations Center capital reserve fund that will cut bonding costs for the facility in half and creating a Decarbonization Capital Reserve fund to be used to transition County facilities away from expensive and climate-damaging fossil fuel systems like oil and gas. These new capital reserves are expected to be considered at the December 18 meeting of the County Legislature.
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Photo: County Executive Metzger signs the 2024 Budget with Chair of the Legislature Tracey Bartels and Budget Director Ken Juras
