Neuhaus highlights economic growth in State of the County Address

“Economic development is thriving, new parks and quality of life projects are in the works, and Orange County’s future looks brighter than ever,” County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus said during his 2024 State of the County Address. Neuhaus delivered the address on two consecutive nights: first at the county’s Emergency Services Center auditorium in Goshen and then  at the Orange County Chamber of Commerce meeting at Woodbury Common Premium Outlets.

“Once again, five out of five labor contracts are agreed upon and signed, taxes are lower, and our financials are the strongest they’ve ever been,” Neuhaus said. “We’ve proven the importance of investing in public safety and emergency preparedness, which I will continue to do, and land preservation will remain one of my top priorities.”

Neuhaus pointed out that the bond rating agency Standard & Poors upgraded Orange County’s financial bond rating to AA+, the highest rating that S&P has given to counties in New York state. He said that the rating reflects the strength of the county’s financial reserves and that it has a large tax base that continues to expand. Neuhaus said that the county’s government workforce is smaller but more efficient than it was 10 years ago. Orange County’s 2024 budget came in at $923.8 million. The 2023 budget was $897.6 million.

Neuhaus said that during 2023 the county’s Department of Public Works resurfaced more than 25 miles of county roads and reconstructed or rehabilitated nine county bridges and culverts. He said that the county’s tourism and film industries continue to show significant growth and the county’s Tourism Department will be focusing on promoting sports tourism. He said that the county is investing in communication upgrades in schools to help first responder communication systems work more effectively.

“My family and I feel the pinch at the grocery store just like many residents, and it is a reminder of the importance of focusing on our objectives: lower taxes, smaller government, and less debt,” Neuhaus said. “These three fundamental principles will continue to put us in a position to invest in our infrastructure, to pursue economic development, and to preserve valuable open space. I’m excited about the positive direction of our county.”