For More Information Contact:
Colleen Pillus
845-486-2000
Email: cpillus@dutchessny.gov
Poughkeepsie…Dutchess County Executive Marcus J. Molinaro reminds residents that there is still time to share their input about funding for county programs and services in the 2014 county budget in the county’s online survey. The survey is available at the County’s website dutchessny.gov and is open until this Friday, October 11th. This year’s survey includes a new section titled “Help Us Balance the Budget,” where residents can suggest revenue and expense decisions they feel are necessary for the 2014 budget.
County Executive Molinaro said, “Dutchess County Government continues to face tough fiscal challenges from economic stagnancy, rising costs and underfunded state mandates. We are grateful to all of the residents who have completed our online survey and shared their feedback to help make our final decisions in the development of the 2014 county budget and continue the multi-year transformation of county government. For those who have not yet had a chance to take the survey, please do so soon! It only takes a few minutes and we appreciate your input.”
The goal of the budget survey is to give county residents an opportunity to create a balanced budget, to become informed about the origin of county revenue (sales tax, state & federal aid, property tax and other revenues) and to show how money is spent with a breakdown of mandated and optional programs and services. The survey is designed to help county officials learn what residents want and need. Additionally, it serves as an educational tool for the residents about county government programs and how tax dollars are being spent. Input from residents is very valuable because it allows the county to understand what the priorities should be for the 2014 budget.
The results will be reviewed and utilized for final decisions concerning the 2014 budget which will be released by November 1st. For those who do not have internet access or would prefer to complete a paper survey, hard copies will be available in both English and Spanish by request at the Dutchess County Budget Office in the County Office Building at 22 Market Street in Poughkeepsie or at the Dutchess County Department of Motor Vehicle offices in Poughkeepsie, Beacon, Millbrook, Pawling and Wappinger. Special thanks to Hudson River Housing for helping translate the survey into Spanish. Paper survey responses should be delivered or mailed to the Dutchess County Budget Office at 22 Market Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601.
The budget survey is just one of several public outreach efforts to get feedback and input from residents about what their priorities are and how they would like to see decisions made. Town hall forums about the 2014 county budget and other county issues are being held throughout the county. Two forums have already been held in Beacon and in Dover. The third town hall forum will be held on Tuesday, October 22nd at 6pm at Rhinebeck Town Hall located at 80 East Market Street in Rhinebeck.
