POUGHKEEPSIE – Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino presented her 2026 county budget Wednesday, saying the $651 million spending plan is all about putting people first. The budget is 3.3 percent higher than the county’s 2025 budget of $630 million.

The fiscal plan includes no cuts in services and no layoffs, with spending up by 1.8 percent.

The county executive said the budget is all about the people of the county.

“Every dollar in this budget is spent with purpose, and every purpose comes back to people. Because behind every policy, every program, and every dollar – there is a person – a family, a neighbor, an employee – whose life we touch and we try to make better,” she said.

Serino said the property tax levy will stay below the state tax cap.

To control costs, the budget eliminate

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