MONTICELLO – The Sullivan County Legislature is taking more time to work on the proposed 2026 budget. A public hearing, the second of two, was held last Tuesday night and the legislature was set to vote on the budget on Thursday. 

But Legislature Chair Nadia Rajsz proposed postponing the vote “to further discuss” the proposed budget. The other legislators agreed and passed a resolution to hold the budget vote on Thursday, December 18 during their full board meeting.

Rajsz said she agreed with residents who spoke during the public hearing that the proposed 9.1 percent property tax increase is too high. “We will cut the fat,” she said. 

According to Sullivan County Director of Communication Dan Hust changes are anticipated. 

“However, legislators have not yet finished their review, so specifics are not yet available,” he said. 

County Manager Josh Potosek presented the $305 million tentative budget in October and said the increase is due to rising, inflation-fueled costs and a decline in sales tax revenue, estimated to be $5 million less than projected.

During the public hearing last Tuesday night, resident Janet Lybolt said the increase is “not doable for most residents in this county.” 

Legislators have until December 20 to adopt the budget, which would go into effect on January 1.