$141 Million County Budget To Remain Under Tax Cap - Public Hearing Nov. 25th, Boukai Questions County Communication, Sheriff's Department Recognized

By Mary A. Crisafulli

DELHI - After canceling the public hearing to override the state-mandated tax cap, Delaware County Supervisors presented the 2026 tentative budget of $141,582,809, a $11,979,882 increase over the 2025 adopted budget. The proposed tax levy increase is set at approximately 3.5%, which is within the allowable growth, according to Budget Director Arthur Merrill.

Merrill commented on the usage of sales tax, as it is a point of contention. He noted that the budget now allocates 25% of its resources to the solid waste budget. While this was not new, Merrill said it had not been previously directly outlined. He noted that if the county receives $32 million in sales tax, nearly $8 million would go to solid waste. This was agreed upon in the 60s when sales tax was first initiated, he said.

Sales tax revenue sharing has been under discussion among the finance committee for roughly two years now, following a request from the Delaware County Mayors Association. Mayors of the 19 villages believe shared funds could help sustain their municipalities.

Sales tax sharing is not outlined in the tentative budget. The budget includes an estimated $29 million in sales tax revenues. The county has received $21,814,050 in sales tax for 2025 as of Oct. 9th.

A public hearing on the proposed budget is set Wednesday, Nov. 25, at 1 p.m. at the County Office Building, 111 Main Street, Delhi.

Boukai On Communication

In another discussion, Delhi Supervisor Maya Boukai asked supervisors, who are members of the legislative committee, why they had failed to report a vote on public comments at the last meeting.

Several residents and Boukai have requested that the board consider adding a "privilege of the floor" period at each supervisor's meeting. The request was put to the legislative committee. At the Oct. 2 committee meeting, the issue was voted down.

On October 22, Boukai requested a discussion regarding the issue, which Board Chair Tina Molè explained is being discussed in committees and is the protocol for such discussions. Boukai was curious why committee members did not chime in to explain that the topic had already been voted down at the time of her request.

Roxbury Supervisor Allen Hinkley, who chairs the committee, said the discussion and vote were outlined in the committee minutes, which are available to the public.

Boukai said this is one of the concerns the public has with communication.

Walton Supervisor Joe Cetta asked if this should be discussed at a legislative committee meeting instead. The meeting ended shortly thereafter.

Sheriffs Recognized

At the beginning of the meeting, Sheriff Craig DuMond accepted the department's accreditation from the Civil Division. The honor was presented by NYS Sheriffs' Association Executive Director Peter Kehoe. The accreditation indicates that the department meets or exceeds standards in 112 areas, including administrative, training, and operational standards, said Kehoe.

Other Business

Supervisors paid monthly bills totalling $3,267,477.

A budget transfer of $600,000 was approved to move from the preventative Delaware Opportunities fund to the Family Assistance program, which serves families with young children.

The county was awarded a $300,000 Community Block Grant through the NYS Office of Community Renewal. Funds will be used towards an existing microenterprise business.

Supervisors agreed to oversee a grant application for $143,636, which was awarded by the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation to maintain snowmobile trails.

Supervisors transferred $100,000 from the contingency fund to cover professional attorney fees. An additional $96,902 was transferred from the contingency fund to cover psychiatric care fees for inmates deemed incapacitated from participating in their own criminal defense.