Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino presented her 2027 Executive Budget proposal, a $722 million spending plan that includes a 4.5 percent reduction in the property tax rate while avoiding layoffs and service cuts.
The budget addresses a gap of nearly $90 million between projected costs and revenues, according to the county. With an 8 percent growth in property assessments, the average county property tax rate will decrease to $2.02 per $1,000 in assessed value, down from $2.11 this year. The proposal keeps the overall spending increase to less than 1 percent, excluding costs from state mandates and federal programs.
The county faces growing pressure from state and federally mandated costs, which account for 70 percent of the budget. A change to the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program administrative cost formula will cost the county $1.8 million. To address the gap while maintaining services, the budget plan adjusts the county sales tax rate to 4 percent in June 2027, while keeping the sales tax exemption on clothing and footwear items under $110.
"Despite tremendous fiscal pressure from ever-increasing state and federal mandates and rapidly rising costs, we are delivering a 2027 budget that includes no cuts to services and no layoffs," Serino said.
The budget plan eliminates several vacant positions and adds only four essential positions, for a net reduction of four positions. Additionally, 14 positions will be held vacant in 2027. The budget uses $28.5 million in general fund balance to limit the impact on taxpayers, and the Community Benefit Fund created in 2024 will provide $3.75 million in key initiatives.
Key investments include a Community Paramedicine Program for in-home assessments, participation in New York State's $22 million "First 3" childcare pilot program targeting children ages 0-3, $3 million for the county Drug Task Force, $1 million for the Housing Trust Fund, three new street outreach positions for people experiencing homelessness, and construction of the HOPE Center emergency shelter. The budget also funds expanded support for older adults and veterans, including transportation and caregiver support, and supports free PFAS water testing through $1.5 million in state funding.