The Catskill Chronicle

Given by Sullivan County Legislature Chairman Scott B. Samuelson on Thursday, May 23, 2013 at 5:00 p.m. at the Sullivan County Government Center in Monticello, NY

Good evening, and welcome to our 2013 State of the County Address. I would like to begin tonight by recognizing my fellow Legislators: Vice Chairman Gene Benson, Majority Leader Kathleen LaBuda, Minority Leader Alan Sorensen, District Three Legislator Kitty Vetter, District Four Legislator Jonathan Rouis, District Five Legislator Cindy Kurpil Gieger, District Six Legislator Cora Edwards and District Eight Legislator Ira Steingart. I would also like to recognize Acting County Manager Joshua Potosek.

I would like to offer a special thank you to the representatives of the Wurtsboro American Legion Post #1266, Mamakating VFW Post #4947, the Monticello American Legion #73 and the Liberty American Legion #109 for providing the color guard this evening and the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office for their ceremonial guard this evening.

The County ended 2012 with encouraging news. Sullivan County sales tax revenues had come in more than one million dollars greater than what had been anticipated in the 2012 operating budget. This and other cost saving measures that were implemented resulted in growth in the County’s fund balance. This year end result puts the County on the right path to achieving financial stability. While we welcomed this news, it was tempered by the fact that the County’s unemployment rate in January 2013 was above 11% and our property owners are struggling more and more every year to pay their tax bills. We must find a means to alleviate that burden. Make no mistake, we will continue to seek means of streamlining County operations and generate savings wherever possible, however, the only real option we have to provide substantial and lasting relief is to identify and solicit new revenue generating opportunities.

To read the entire 2013 State of the County Address, click this link.