Orange County Adopts Nearly $1B Budget

GOSHEN – Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus released the following statement in response to the County Legislature adopting the 2025 Budget in the amount of $987,762,005 with a vote of 19-0 on December 5th. Legislators Mike Anagnostakis and Laurie Tautel were not present for Thursday’s vote.

“Once again, the Legislature has adopted my Budget with minimal adjustments,” Neuhaus said. “I appreciate that, year after year, the Legislature has voted in favor of my Budget with zero opposition. This is verification that the Legislative body working together with my administration are getting the job done right for the taxpayers of Orange County. This show of confidence also strengthens our position with entities such as S & P, who provides our bond rating. I am grateful for the cooperative relationship that I have with the Legislature, and I am eager to continue our positive forward momentum for Orange County.”

Chairwoman of the Orange County Legislature, Katie Bonelli, stated, “The 2025 budget will benefit our residents, as it lowers taxes while being fiscally responsible and delivering essential services. The Legislature will continue to work with the County Executive to maintain the positive direction of Orange County’s finances.”

The County Tax Rate is $2.142, which is lower than last year’s rate of $2.304. Orange County’s Tax Rate remains the County’s lowest since the 1960s. In addition, the Tax Levy also went down and stands at $120,638,634.

Additional highlights of the 2025 Budget include:
• The County Tax Rate will drop for the ninth consecutive year and remains within the New York State Tax Cap mandate.
• The County’s Property Tax Rate has gone down since 2015, and property values have increased 89 percent during that same time.
• The County will budget $7 million in 2025 for hotel occupancy tax.
• The County generated $309.0 million in sales tax YTD 2024 and is projected to generate $412.3 million in 2025.

Democratic Minority Leader Michael Paduch supported a proposal by Legislator James O’Donnell to reduce taxation by $1.5 million by using funds from the county’s over $200 million surplus fund.

Legislature Chairwoman Katie Bonelli said the budget was, in fact, reduced by $2 million.