Dutchess County financial picture shows some improvement

Gasoline prices dictate consumer behavior, which during the summer months sometimes means the difference between a vacation and a “staycation.” The high cost of gasoline and home heating oil is also causing government leaders to think differently about our budgets via sales tax revenues. This month county leaders received a report on the close-out of 2010 finances, which were largely affected by higher-than-expected sales tax revenues. These favorable revenue reports, after many years of dismal reports, allowed us to move forward with consensus on projects requiring both spending and borrowing.After two years of revenue shortfalls and unanticipated expenditures for state mandates, 2010 was a year of conservative budgeting. We saw layoffs, department consolidations and program eliminations to keep our spending in check with anticipated revenue shortfalls that did not come. Instead, 2010 ended with total revenues of $436.7 million and total expenditures of $427.8 million for a positive difference of $8.9 million. As a result, we did not have to use the $12.6 million in general fund balance that was in the 2010 budget.Sales tax growth is approximately 8 percent higher than last year at this time. If sales tax growth continues at the current rate, we could realize an additional $5 million over the 2011 budget estimate.Despite optimistic revenue reports, the expense side is still worrisome. There was a $5.9 million increase in state mandated costs and a $5.2 million increase in employee benefits primarily for state pension and health insurance.The biggest 2010 expense was economic assistance to the poor administered by the Department of Social Services (31.7 percent), including $40.3 million for Medicaid. In this tough economy, social service clients have increased more than 57 percent since 2007. Food stamps are up 97 percent from December 2007. Medicaid is up 40 percent. Safety Net is up 22 percent. Temporary Assistance is up 39 percent. The county has little control over these state-mandated programs.General government support was the second highest expense (14.9 percent) followed by health (13.9 percent), but which together do not equal the cost of social services. Public safety came in fourth at 12.8 percent, followed by employee benefits (11.7 percent), including $38.3 million for employee health insurance and pension costs. Contrast these with the cost of debt service for issued bonds at 3.4 percent.Recognizing a profitable year grounded in prudent budgeting and perhaps a possible turn in the economy, in July the county Legislature moved forward with several long-standing needs including projects that heretofore had been placed on hold due to the sluggish economy. We passed bonds that together total more than $10 million dollars spread out over the life of the bonds. These include the construction of a new medical examiner’s office, upgrades to our county parks (which are seeing continued public use by those on staycations), highway vehicle purchases, energy upgrades and highway and bridge repairs. The Legislature scrutinized each bond, oversaw lengthy and vigorous debate but in the end passed each, many unanimously and all with bipartisan support.In this climate there is no pride in government spending or borrowing. However, there is some contentment to be had in recognizing when to move progress forward.Michael Kelsey represents Amenia, Washington, Stanford, Pleasant Valley and Millbrook in the County Legislature. Write him at KelseyESQ@yahoo.com.

Latest News

A scenic 32-mile loop through Litchfield County

Whenever I need to get a quick but scenic bicycle ride but don’t have time to organize a group ride that involves driving to a meeting point, I just turn right out of my driveway. That begins a 32-mile loop through some of the prettiest scenery in northern Litchfield County.

I ride south on Undermountain Road (Route 41 South) into Salisbury and turn right on Main Street (Route 44 West). If I’m meeting friends, we gather at the parking area on the west side of Salisbury Town Hall where parking is never a problem.

Keep ReadingShow less
Biking Ancramdale to Copake

This is a lovely ride that loops from Ancramdale north to Copake and back. At just over 23 miles and about 1,300 feet of elevation gain, it’s a perfect route for intermediate recreational riders and takes about two hours to complete. It’s entirely on quiet roads with little traffic, winding through rolling hills, open countryside, picturesque farms and several lakes.

Along the way, you’ll pass a couple of farmstands that are worth a quick visit. There is only one hill that might be described as steep, but it is quite short — probably less than a quarter-mile.

Keep ReadingShow less
Taking on Tanglewood

Aerial view of The Shed at Tanglewood in Lenox, Mass.

Provided

Now is the perfect time to plan ahead for symphonic music this summer at Tanglewood in Lenox, Massachusetts. Here are a few highlights from the classical programming.

Saturday, July 5: Shed Opening Night at 8 p.m. Andris Nelsons conducts the Boston Symphony Orchestra as Daniil Trifonov plays piano in an All-Rachmaninoff program. The Piano Concerto No. 3 was completed in 1909 and was written specifically to be debuted in the composer’s American tour, at another time of unrest and upheaval in Russia. Trifonev is well-equipped to take on what is considered among the most technically difficult piano pieces. This program also includes Symphonic Dances, a work encapsulating many ideas and much nostalgia.

Keep ReadingShow less
James H. Fox

SHARON — James H. Fox, resident of Sharon, passed away on May 30, 2025, at Vassar Brothers Hospital.

Born in New York, New York, to Herbert Fox and Margaret Moser, James grew up in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York. He spent his summers in Gaylordsville, Connecticut, where he developed a deep connection to the community.

Keep ReadingShow less