POUGHKEEPSIE – Dutchess County government’s financial picture is better than last year’s, but not as good as it was prior to the recession in 2007. That word came Thursday from county Budget Director Valerie Sommerville, who briefed the Budget and Finance Committee of the county legislature.
Sommerville told lawmakers the expected economic recovery has not been as rapid as anticipated.
“The reality is we are not seeing the economic that we had hoped for,” she said. “Our economy is still struggling. Sales tax revenue is down, our tax base continues to shrink, unemployment and public assistance caseloads remain high and foreclosures are up.”
Sommerville said if revenue sources do not improve, there could be cuts to optional county programs.
