Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus released the following statement on Thursday, Dec. 7 in response to the County Legislature adopting the 2024 Budget in the amount $923,799,230 million with a vote of 18-0.

Legislators Michael Amo, Mike Anagnostakis and Joel Sierra were not present for Thursday’s vote.

“I applaud the County Legislature for approving my proposed budget with minor adjustments,” Neuhaus said. “I have enjoyed working collaboratively with Chairwoman of the Legislature Katie Bonelli and the Legislature on this budget, which lowers taxes and is fiscally responsible.”

 Added Bonelli: “The 2024 budget will benefit our residents, lowers taxes and maintains our essential services. We will continue to find innovative ways to work with the County Executive to strengthen Orange County’s finances.”

 The proposed tax rate in the 2024 budget is lower than it was both last year and in 2014, when Neuhaus took office. It remains the lowest tax rate in Orange County since the 1960s.

 Additional highlights of the 2024 budget include:

• The County tax rate will remain within the New York State Tax Cap mandate.
• Moody’s Investors Service, the financial services ratings company, noted that “the County benefits from ongoing economic expansion and tourism and its credit strengths include an expanding tax base and a sound financial position.”
• The County will budget $6.6 Million in 2024 for hotel occupancy tax. The County Executive has aggressively pursued initiatives focused on tourism and economic development.
• The County’s property Tax Rate has gone down 40 percent since 2014 and property values have increased 80.7 percent during that same time.
• The County will budget $396.5 million in sales tax in 2024.