Monticello, NY – Via an 8-1 vote today, legislators approved the 2025 Sullivan County Budget. District 9 Legislator Terry Blosser-Bernardo was opposed.
The $303 million budget comes with a 2.5% tax levy increase to cover general cost increases and the new EMS fly car system but does not propose incurring new debt.
“I’m relieved the budget passed; however, there were some departments that were not treated fairly,” said Legislature Chair Nadia Rajsz. “It included a 5% raise for most management/confidential employees, and I’m hoping we address our union employees in the coming year at least with a comparable increase, as they are tremendously underpaid.”
“We still have work to do that will continue throughout the year to address various concerns raised by employees and the public,” agreed District 1 Legislator Matthew McPhillips. “But I’m proud of the work we’ve accomplished in funding the new EMS fly cars, and I look forward to continuing to improve the County in 2025.”
“This Legislature, though new, deeply understands the obstacles and challenges faced every day by our citizens, and we’re listening to how they want us to proceed,” noted District 3 Legislator Brian McPhillips. “We are maintaining and improving services without significantly impacting taxpayers, and we aim to continue improving this County in the years to come.”
“It’s a good budget,” added District 4 Legislator Nick Salomone. “We stayed under the property tax cap, so I’m happy.”
“As a first-year legislator, I found this process interesting, to say the least,” said District 5 Legislator Catherine Scott. “I’m looking forward to tackling the budget a bit earlier next year.”
“I’m very happy with the money we’ve earmarked for the EMS fly cars,” remarked District 6 Legislator Luis Alvarez. “I’ve been the foremost advocate of this new system, and it’s already been a lifesaving success.”
“I’m glad the budget passed, but I think there are challenging times ahead,” explained District 7 Legislator Joe Perrello. “This Legislature is going to have to pay close attention to our finances in the months and years ahead, in order to avoid overburdening taxpayers.”
“The 2025 Budget we passed today does right by the people we serve and the phenomenal staff we employ,” said District 8 Legislator Amanda Ward. “We’re holding the line where we should, increasing services where we can, and providing raises as we’re able. I’m proud to be a part of this process for the very first time, and I look forward to working with my legislative colleagues and the public to follow through on the initiatives in this budget.”
Highlights of the Adopted 2025 County Budget include:
- $21.6 million for road and bridgework throughout the County, to be achieved without going into debt by bonding
- $2.7 million to continue the already-successful EMS fly car system throughout the County
- $2 million for a Housing Trust Fund to address the housing crisis in the County, plus $250,000 to supplement a State program that provides local renters with first/last months’ rent and security deposits to ease the emergency housing crunch
- $2 million to provide for the design and renovation of County office spaces, including the Liberty campus and the County Courthouse in Monticello
- $500,000 for the Sullivan Promise Scholarship Program, which provides up to two full years of tuition-free attendance at SUNY Sullivan for local high school graduates
- $494,000 to offer to eligible community nonprofits via a restored Discretionary Funding Program
- $350,000 for legislators to use towards tourism event promotion
- $300,000 for the Youth Bureau to fund local organizations serving youth and their families
- $250,000 to develop a water resource map, to fully understand our water resources and where infrastructure should and should not be placed
- $65,000 to continue the popular local workforce development partnership with BOCES, whereby area residents can learn skills like welding, car repair and construction trades, at no cost to them
New positions include an additional investigator in the District Attorney’s Office, another dispatcher at the 911 Center, a grantwriter, a health & wellness coordinator in the Public Safety Division, three Social Services caseworkers, two Social Services aides, and several instructors for both the Bureau of Fire and the Bureau of EMS.
Full details of the adopted budget will be made available at www.sullivanny.us (look for “Sullivan County 2025 Adopted Budget” tab in the lefthand margin).
