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The Greene County Legislature has unveiled a new budget proposal for the fiscal year 2025, with no increase in the overall tax levy. The proposed budget, totaling $161 million, was presented to the public on October 28, 2024, and is expected to cover increased expenses such as personnel costs, retirements, and maintenance agreements.
According to the budget, overall expenses will increase by 3.85%. This includes a $2.6 million increase in personnel costs, a $1 million increase in retirement costs, and a $1 million increase in maintenance agreements, contracts, and utilities combined. The budget also offsets a $43.5 million in sales tax revenue, which is about $2.5 million more than last year.
As reported by NEWS10, the budget projects a total tax levy of $27,404,370, but the county will only spend a total of $27,309,370. The remaining $95,000 is collected from a small district, Bataviakill.
If the budget is adopted, taxpayers in 11 of the 14 towns will see their county tax rate decrease, due to the state-set equalization rate. However, three towns, Catskill, Ashland, and New Baltimore, will see an increase.
The final approval of the budget is not expected for a few more weeks. The Greene County Legislature will meet again to discuss the budget and its implications for the county's residents and services.