Warren County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 14 unanimously approved a $207,000,000 budget for 2025, continuing several years of property tax rate reductions while committing additional money to road repairs, storm recovery and tourism-related infrastructure.

The budget, passed by voice vote, follows steps the county took in 2024 to allocate roughly $8 million for storm damage repairs and an earlier increase in road maintenance funding. Chair of the board reported the county will prioritize nearly $8 million in local tax revenue for infrastructure to support tourism and outdoor recreation, and will continue investments in broadband, workforce development and public transportation.

The budget vote continues a multi-year trend of slight property-tax rate reductions, officials said. County officials also highlighted that an earlier 2024 allocation of about $8 million addressed storm damage from 2023 and that separate allocations totaling several million dollars were directed to paving, culvert upgrades and other road work.

Officials said public transportation continues through a contract with the Capital District Transportation Authority; the county contributes 0.25% of mortgage recording tax to that service. The board noted an increase in funds to SUNY Adirondack to address state-directed costs and that recent labor contracts increased employee wages by about $1.7 million for 2025; several full-time positions were eliminated and some were added, officials said.

Tourism and economic development were cited as major revenue drivers. The board said tourism represents roughly one-third of the county economy and cited Lake George waterfront projects funded in part by the state’s downtown revitalization program and investments by the Olympic Regional Development Authority as reasons for a projected tourism revenue increase.

Chairman Garrity told supervisors the county exceeded the state property-tax cap for the first time, recording a 0.62% increase driven largely by higher costs for state-mandated services and retirement expenses. Officials said the county’s bond rating remains at double-A with a minimum outstanding debt figure noted in the presentation.

The county also said it will release a comprehensive plan, Warren County 2040, in March; a draft of the plan and an outdoor recreation economy strategic plan were uploaded to the county’s planning website on Jan. 14, the board was told.

Officials listed other accomplishments from 2024, including restoring a senior transportation program; completing a countywide assessment of about 1,500 culverts and bridges; obligating the county's ARPA allocation in full; achieving a clean audit for the 22nd consecutive year; and managing a large influx of visitors during the eclipse without major incidents.

The board identified priorities for 2025 as maximizing infrastructure investment to support tourism and outdoor recreation, expanding broadband and cell coverage in rural areas, supporting workforce and youth development programs, addressing gaps in emergency medical services and senior care, and continuing efforts to grow the health-care and technology sectors.

The board concluded the discussion with thanks to staff and committees for delivering the budget and for their work on these priorities.