WURTSBORO -- Sullivan County Manager Josh Potosek has traveled to four different townships in December to present the County's $233,129,442 budget for 2020.

He was at the Town of Mama­kating during their most recent meeting.

As reported in the Democrat last month, the overall tax rate will increase 1.59 percent, staying below the two percent tax cap and below the average rate increase over the past four years.

Potosek told Mamakating Town board members that the county is “doing more without spending more,” and there would not be any layoffs, cuts to programs or services, nor any usage of surplus funds.

Potosek commented on Sullivan County's job growth and low unemployment rate by stating that “revenues [are continuing] to climb.” Sales taxes are projected to rise to $49,000,000; casino gaming revenue is expected to rise to $2,650,000, and room taxes (including Airbnbs) are budgeted for $1,800,000. The budget and its projects this year are to provide “initiatives designed to transform, sustain, build, and enhance” Sullivan County.

Potosek also presented the newest projects that Sullivan County is trying to implement. The county wants to expand Move Sullivan, the county's public bus service with two new buses costing $300,000. They hope to expand hours and routes at a cost of $150,000.

The bus service is meant to primarily help people get to work and has seen 700 riders per week, according to county officials. The bus service drew criticism from Nick Salomone, who asked if 700 riders was enough to justify the money being spent on transportation. Brenda Giraldi asked if there was a statistic or study done to show where transportation was needed the most. Potosek replied that there was a study, and the routes are a “bit different” but they are being loosely followed. Overall, the County is trying to support the routes and areas that will be most successful first before moving on to other areas.

Sullivan County will also be starting a Countywide Composting project. Currently, it is cost ineffective to move garbage that must be transported many miles away.

The county is hoping that by opening up free composting for residents to bring food scraps to all of the transfer stations, it will reduce the amount of waste that must be transported and will generate sellable compost.

Potosek noted that Ulster County already has this program up and running, and it has been successful for them. He hopes by this summer that bigger vendors, such as the casino or ShopRite, will be able to participate in the composting program to decrease waste, save money, and make a profit.

Potosek also addressed that $4.6 million dollars would be put in for road work and $2 million for work on 6 bridges.

The county also aims to build a “Homeless Intake & Processing Center,” upgrade HVAC and lighting in County buildings, and fix up the airport runway and taxiway.

The county is also planning to revamp popular environmental attractions. There are plans to improve the Delaware River access in Barryville and to improve the O&W Rail Trail while “restoring blighted properties.”

There is $300,000 to fund the Removing Unsafe Structures Program and $100,000 to “continue the success of the Sullivan County Land Bank.”

Potosek ended his presentation by reminding the town of Mamakating that the Division of Public Works finished the rebuilding of four bridges (Tempaloni Road near Spring Glen, CR 66 in Burlingham, and Pine Kill Road in Westbrookville) in Mamakating in 2019. In 2020, the D&H Canal will be a focus to bring in more tourism to Sullivan County.

His presentation was met with applause and questions about the proposed visitor center off exit 109.

Residents and members of the board wondered why the money nor the plans for the visitor center were mentioned. Potosek responded that regarding the visitor center, “nothing is definitive in the next 2 months.”

The county will not do anything until the new board comes in. Only the studies were done for the visitor center, but it is up to the new board to move forward if they choose to. Potosek said the center was “not done one way or another.”