{"id":2047145,"date":"2023-09-27T20:07:02","date_gmt":"2023-09-28T00:07:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/orange-county-executive-steve-neuhaus-proposes-923-million-budget-for-2024\/"},"modified":"2023-09-27T20:14:03","modified_gmt":"2023-09-28T00:14:03","slug":"orange-county-executive-steve-neuhaus-proposes-923-million-budget-for-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/orange-county-executive-steve-neuhaus-proposes-923-million-budget-for-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus suggests a $923 million budget for 2024."},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Forange-county-executive-steve-neuhaus-proposes-923-million-budget-for-2024%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2047145&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><blockquote>\n<h2>Orange County Executive Proposes\u2063 3% Budget Increase to Boost Economic Growth<\/h2>\n<p>Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus has unveiled his \u2062ambitious \u200cplan to raise the county budget \u200dby 3 percent to $923 million \u200bin 2024, all while keeping property taxes steady.\u200d This exciting proposal\u2063 was announced at a recent \u2063meeting\u2062 of \u200dthe Orange County Association of Towns,\u2062 Villages, and Cities, marking a decade of leadership for \u200bMr. Neuhaus.<\/p>\n<p>What&#8217;s \u2064the secret behind this stable property tax levy, despite potential challenges like inflation and growing state-mandated expenses? \u200dAccording to Mr. Neuhaus, it&#8217;s a winning combination of economic development and tourism. These\u2062 dual\u2063 forces have contributed to a growing tax base and a thriving\u200b sales tax, which in turn helps alleviate the burden\u2064 on property taxes.<\/p>\n<div class=\"shortcode\">\n<div class=\"border-comp-divider mb-4 mr-4 w-full max-w-[500px] border px-5 py-4 text-[16px] leading-[20px] text-[#262626] md:float-left\" id=\"in_article_related_stories\">\n<h2 class=\"mb-3 font-sans text-[16px] font-semibold uppercase leading-[19px] text-[#2F2F2F]\">Related Stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"mb-4 flex gap-2\">\n<div class=\"grow\">\n<div class=\"mb-1 line-clamp-2\">\n            <a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/woodbury-common-presents-expansion-plan-at-village-planning-board-5496932?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\"><\/p>\n<h3>Woodbury Common Presents Expansion Plan at Village Planning Board<\/h3>\n<p>            <\/a>\n          <\/div>\n<div class=\"text-comp-caption text-[14px] leading-[18px]\">9\/22\/2023<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"shrink-0 basis-[120px]\">\n          <a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/woodbury-common-presents-expansion-plan-at-village-planning-board-5496932?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\"><\/a>\n        <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"mb-4 flex gap-2\">\n<div class=\"grow\">\n<div class=\"mb-1 line-clamp-2\">\n            <a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/orange-county-economic-summit-highlights-tourism-and-film-industry-5492682?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\"><\/p>\n<h3>Orange County Economic \u200bSummit Highlights Tourism and Film Industry<\/h3>\n<p>            <\/a>\n          <\/div>\n<div class=\"text-comp-caption text-[14px] leading-[18px]\">9\/17\/2023<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"shrink-0 basis-[120px]\">\n          <a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/orange-county-economic-summit-highlights-tourism-and-film-industry-5492682?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\"><\/a>\n        <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&#8220;The combination of a \u200cgrowing tax base and a robust sales tax is the key,&#8221; Mr. Neuhaus explained to\u2063 The Epoch Times. \u2062&#8221;These two factors work hand in hand, allowing \u200bus to minimize the reliance on property taxes.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Under \u2062Mr. Neuhaus&#8217; leadership, the full market\u2062 value of taxable properties in Orange County has skyrocketed by nearly 80 percent since\u200b 2014. This growth\u2062 has\u200d contributed to\u2064 a significant decrease in property \u2064tax rates,\u200c which \u200bare currently at historic lows.<\/p>\n<p>Furthermore, sales tax revenue has\u200c surged\u2063 by almost half\u2063 over the past decade, projected to reach $390\u200d million in 2024. Hotel taxes have also more than doubled since 2014, surpassing $6 million annually.<\/p>\n<div class=\"post-figure\">\n<figure style=\"width:600px\" class=\"aligncenter\"><figcaption>The LEGOLAND New York \u2062Resort in Goshen, N.Y., on Oct. 22,\u2063 2022.(Samira Bouaou\/The Epoch Times)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"my-5\">\n<p>&#8220;Sales tax is generated by everybody that comes \u200din here,\u2064 not just the people that live here,&#8221; emphasized \u200dMr.\u200b Neuhaus during the budget presentation. \u200c&#8221;By having visitors contribute to our revenue, we can avoid burdening local families \u200dwith excessive property taxes.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2>Money In\u2063 and Money Out<\/h2>\n<p>Sales and hotel taxes will account for a significant portion of county revenue \u2063in 2024, representing 43 percent. State and federal aid will contribute 21 percent, \u200cwhile property taxes will make up 14 percent.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Human services, primarily \u2062assisting vulnerable populations, will be the largest expense function for the county\u200d in 2024, comprising 27 percent of the budget. Much of\u200d this expenditure will be covered by federal aid. Health services, including the operation of Valley\u2063 View nursing \u2062home, will be the second-largest expense at\u2063 approximately $166 million.<\/p>\n<p>Other significant budget initiatives include the establishment of \u200ba new Information Technology \u200ddepartment, the construction of a multi-purpose \u200bpavilion\u2063 at Orange County Arboretum, and \u2064the opening of a Department of Motor Vehicles office \u2064in Port Jervis.<\/p>\n<div class=\"post-figure\">\n<figure style=\"width:600px\" class=\"aligncenter\"><figcaption>Orange County\u200d Executive\u2062 Steve\u200c Neuhaus presents the 2024 budget at \u2064the Erie Hotel and\u200c Restaurant in Port Jervis, N.Y., on Sept.\u2064 26, 2023. (Cara Ding\/The Epoch Times)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Importantly, no funds from the rainy-day account will be utilized to balance the 2024 budget. This strategic decision ensures that the county\u2064 maintains financial stability and has sufficient resources\u200d to handle emergencies, as stated by Mr.\u2064 Neuhaus.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-5\">\n<p>&#8220;Having a strong fund balance provides financial \u200bstability and enhances \u200bcash\u200d flow \u2064management,&#8221;\u2064 he explained. &#8220;It gives us the confidence that we \u2064can overcome any negative circumstances that may arise.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2>Hedging\u200b Against State Mandates<\/h2>\n<p>One potential challenge\u2064 lies in new state mandates, which \u200doften\u2064 impose costs on \u2062local governments without providing adequate funding. Mr. Neuhaus cited indigent defense \u2064and Medicaid as examples of such \u200dmandates.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>In 2024, the county is estimated to spend over $6 million on indigent defense \u200band approximately $72 million on Medicaid. The \u2062burden of Medicaid\u2062 costs\u200d is exacerbated by a recent state \u2064decision to\u2062 withhold $10 million in federal reimbursements that were traditionally passed\u2063 through to Orange County.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-5\">\n<p>According to\u2064 a report by the Citizens Budget Commission, \u2063New York local governments bear one of the largest Medicaid burdens in the nation, with nearly 10 percent, or\u200c $8 billion, of total Medicaid\u200b costs covered by local governments in 2022.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Other state-mandated programs, including preschool education, child welfare, and safety net initiatives, \u2062will contribute to the county&#8217;s total state mandate \u2063costs of over\u2062 $168 million in 2024.<\/p>\n<p>Mr.\u200d Neuhaus also acknowledged the uncertainties and \u200drisks posed by\u2063 rising employee benefit \u200ccosts, economic conditions, and the state&#8217;s fiscal situation. To address these challenges, he emphasized the importance of \u2062economic development.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-5\">\n<h2>Economic\u2062 Development and Open Space<\/h2>\n<p>Mr. Neuhaus highlighted several exciting developments that are expected to drive sales tax growth, such as \u2062a new dinosaur park in Montgomery and the proposed expansion of Woodbury Common Premium Outlets.<\/p>\n<p>The dinosaur park is projected to attract 300,000\u200c visitors \u200cand generate $1.6 million\u200c in sales \u200ctax\u200d revenue in\u2064 its first year. The\u2063 Woodbury \u200cCommon expansion is also anticipated \u200dto bring\u200b in millions of new tax dollars annually, according to a recent planning board presentation.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Unlike\u200c neighboring counties\u200d where automobile sales dominate, clothing stores are the primary\u200d sales tax producers in Orange County, with Woodbury Common playing a significant role.<\/p>\n<div class=\"post-figure\">\n<figure style=\"width:600px\" class=\"aligncenter\"><figcaption>A \u2062rendering of new retail spaces at Woodbury Common Premium Outlets in \u200dCentral Valley, New \u200bYork. (Courtesy \u200bof Woodbury Common)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Additionally, the county is witnessing\u2062 the development of 27 new hotels across various stages\u200d of \u200cplanning\u200b and construction.<\/p>\n<p>While economic \u200dgrowth is crucial, Mr. Neuhaus \u200bemphasized the importance of\u2063 preserving \u2064open spaces to maintain \u200dthe\u2064 county&#8217;s \u2062quality of life. The county has committed funds to projects such as trail development, land preservation,\u2064 and protecting the watershed.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p> <\/p>\n<h2> What specific strategies \u200dhas Orange County implemented to attract new businesses and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-multi-trillion-dollar-spending-bills-will-reduce-inflation\/\" title=\"Biden: Multi-Trillion Dollar Spending Bills \u2018Will Reduce Inflation\u2019\">promote economic growth<\/a>?<\/h2>\n<p><span>  In the property\u2063 tax burden for residents. By focusing on economic development and\u2062 tourism, Orange County has been able to diversify its sources of revenue and minimize reliance on property taxes.<\/p>\n<p>The proposed\u2064 3 percent budget increase for 2024 will allocate funds\u2063 towards\u200c further boosting economic growth in the county. This increase will bring the total county budget to $923 million. However, what sets this proposal apart is \u2064that it aims to achieve this increase without burdening taxpayers with higher\u2062 property taxes.<\/p>\n<p>During his tenure as Orange County Executive, Mr. Neuhaus has prioritized economic development and tourism as key drivers \u200cof the county&#8217;s prosperity. By attracting new businesses,\u2062 promoting job creation, and investing\u2062 in \u2062infrastructure, Orange County has experienced significant economic growth. This growth has led to an expansion \u200cof the tax base and a thriving sales tax \u2062sector, which\u2062 in turn has contributed to a reduction in property tax burdens.<\/p>\n<p>The combination of a growing \u2062tax base \u200cand a robust sales \u2062tax has allowed Orange County to fund essential services and initiatives without excessively relying on property taxes.\u2064 This strategic approach to revenue generation has positioned the county as a model for sustainable economic growth.<\/p>\n<p>Under Mr. Neuhaus&#8217; leadership, the full market value of taxable properties in Orange County has witnessed an impressive 80 percent increase since 2014. This surge in property values\u2063 is a testament to the county&#8217;s success in attracting investment and fostering a favorable business environment. As a result, homeowners and businesses have \u200bbenefited from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/oakland-property-taxes-among-highest-in-california-residents-frustrated\/\" title=\"High property taxes in Oakland, California leave residents frustrated.\">lower \u200dproperty tax rates<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The proposed budget \u200cincrease will\u200b continue Orange County&#8217;s momentum by investing \u2064in key \u200bareas such as education, public safety,\u2064 and infrastructure development.\u2062 These investments will further enhance the county&#8217;s economic competitiveness and \u2063quality of life for its residents.<\/p>\n<p>Moreover, the 3 percent budget \u200bincrease demonstrates Mr.\u200b Neuhaus&#8217; commitment to responsible fiscal management. \u2064By keeping property \u2062taxes steady, the county government ensures that\u2062 residents and businesses can plan and\u2064 budget accordingly. This stability fosters confidence and encourages continued economic growth in the region.<\/p>\n<p>In conclusion, Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus has proposed a 3 percent budget increase to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/dhs-chief-mayorkas-strips-border-protections-from-u-s-graduates\/\" title=\"DHS Chief Mayorkas Strips Border Protections from U.S. Graduates\">boost economic growth<\/a> in the county. Through a strategic focus on economic \u2064development and tourism, Orange County has achieved a growing tax \u2064base\u200d and a thriving sales tax sector. This \u2063has allowed the county to reduce reliance on property taxes, benefiting residents and businesses alike. The proposed budget increase will support continued\u200d investments\u200d in key areas and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/orange-county-executive-steve-neuhaus-proposes-923-million-budget-for-2024\/\" title=\"Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus suggests a 3 million budget for 2024.\">maintain stable property tax rates<\/a>, ensuring a bright future for Orange County.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus plans to increase the county budget by 3% to $923 million in 2024. Despite this, he aims to maintain the property tax levy at its current level. Mr. Neuhaus presented his budget on Sept. 27 during a monthly meeting with the Orange County Association of Towns, Villages, and Cities, a tradition he has upheld since taking office.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":417,"featured_media":2047146,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[543],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2047145","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-epoch-times"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2047145","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/417"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2047145"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2047145\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2047146"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2047145"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2047145"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2047145"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}