Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino held her third State of the County Address on March 3.
Her address emphasized the county’s plans for navigating rising costs and how that affects the county budget, recruiting and retaining county workers, implementing artificial intelligence in county services, as well as combating both the EMS crisis and the housing crisis.
The speech focused on the county’s drive to “meet the moment,” Serino said, and “collaboratively,” referring to the 2025 government shutdown and the county’s response to the delay of SNAP food benefits alongside Dutchess Outreach, in addition to New York State Governor Kathy Hochul’s Office granting Dutchess $20 million to lead a childcare pilot program.
“Meeting people where they are, making government accessible and showing our neighbors that we see them, we value them, and we’re here to help — that is our goal every day,” Serino said. “Our work is about people, and it is the heart of why I do this job.”
Navigating rising costs: Effects to county budget
Serino said she hears county residents when they say, “it’s getting harder to afford to live here,” with rising costs, and county government is feeling the strain “just like everyone else.”
The total 2026 budget is over $653 million, yet the remaining, unassigned county fund balance is just under $90 million.
That nearly $90 million does not account for “the various financial actions taken last year and in the 2026 budget adoption,” Serino noted, including $9.6 million of appropriated funds during 2025 and $33.9 million to balance the 2026 adopted budget.
She noted the Dutchess County Legislature’s move to rely more on the fund balance to cover 2026 operating costs, such as maintaining the clothing sales tax exemption, will create “structural pressure” in 2027’s budget process, with a “large budget gap to close.”
Therefore, she noted, “having fiscal restraint” will be the new reality, as any new ongoing budget costs are considered.
However, Serino highlighted the county expects some “off-setting year-end savings for 2025,” but the official fund balance number will not be known until the 2025 Annual Financial Report is completed at the end of April.
“Our challenge is to balance these realities — to protect taxpayers while continuing to provide the essential services that keep this county running and our residents safe,” Serino said.
Regarding property taxes, which decreased for the 11th year in a row, according to the adopted county budget, property taxes decreased by 2.76%, with a property tax levy of $107 million — the total amount Dutchess plans to collect from property owners to fund the budget.
Serino noted that of the $107 million collected, only 10% funds go to the county government, and of that 10%, 70% is mandated by the state leaving 30% for essential services including the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office, the district attorney’s office and the drug taskforce, emergency response, as well as things like road maintenance and park upkeep.
Dutchess aims to recruit, retain county workers
Dutchess County’s unemployment rate is 3.2%.
However, county government is having a hard time recruiting and retaining staff, particularly for entry-level positions, with “too many applicants” not being able to accept the “low salaries being offered,” Serino said.
Thus, the county is finalizing an agreement with the union Civil Service Employees Association, or CSEA, in a multi-year contract aiming to provide fair cost-of-living adjustments for all CSEA employees — the lowest-paid workers will be given the largest percentage increases to wages.
This contract will require an estimated $12 million from the county fund balance in 2026 and will “significantly impact” the development of the 2027 county budget.
However, Serino said, “…having a stable and motivated workforce is a priority.”
This will be the county’s third contract, following agreements with the Dutchess County Police Benevolent Association and the Dutchess Staff Association.
Discussions with the Correction Officers union, DCSEA, have also now begun.
For current county job openings, see dutchess-portal.mycivilservice.com.
Implementing artificial intelligence in county services
“Artificial intelligence or AI can be a game changer for us, saving time and easing the burden on our limited staff,” Serino said.
Notably, the Department of Community and Family Services will integrate AI through EVA, which Serino described as an AI-powered call system, already “successfully used to safely and securely answer calls about temporary assistance benefits and guide people through the intake process.”
EVA can communicate in 65 languages and has the potential to save 12 to 15 minutes of time per call, to improve application completion efficiency and hopefully, client satisfaction, according to Serino.
A Dutchess County AI Committee will be created to develop a countywide AI policy, to ensure responsible use, and standards for ethics, security, accountability and transparency.
More information on how the county workforce, along with local municipalities, organizations and businesses can explore AI support can be found at the second Hudson Valley Artificial Intelligence Summit on April 9, hosted by the Office of Central and Information Services in partnership with Marist University.
Countering the EMS crisis, new healthcare programs
“As we all know, our state — and our nation — is facing an EMS crisis,” Serino said. “Volunteerism is declining, and communities that have long relied on volunteers are feeling the strain.”
She thanked those of Dutchess County who continue to step forward and give their time, including the Beacon Volunteer Ambulance Corps’ Youth Squad in attendance.
This program, in addition to the Pleasant Valley Fire District’s “Braveheart: Girls in Emergency Services Academy,” introduces high school students to EMS careers, providing training and mentorship.
For cardiac emergencies, the county is launching HeartSafe 2.0, a $100,000 investment to provide AEDs and training to local youth sports leagues and recreation programs, “allowing for immediate access to lifesaving tools when our communities gather,” Serino said.
Plus, New York State is now requiring counties to develop and maintain comprehensive EMS plans, and Serino noted the county will identify system vulnerabilities, offer solutions to improve prehospital care, and have discussions with Northwell Health leadership to see how they can be a part of the county’s planning.
Serino said there’s potential for Northwell to provide EMS resources for Dutchess County communities.
In Dutchess education, during fall 2025, Dutchess County BOCES introduced a two-year Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) program, giving high school students the ability to earn state certification at age 17.
Also during the fall 2025 semester, Dutchess Community College, through SUNY Reconnect, has been able to offer its “Emergency Medical Technician: Paramedic” program for adults ages 25 to 55 who have not already earned a college degree, for free.
To find the other DCC programs included in the SUNY Reconnect program for free college education for adults, visit sunydutchess.edu/about/facts/news/articles/dcc-suny-reconnect.html.
Check out dutchessny.gov/Departments/Emergency-Response/EMS-Matters.htm to find a hub on all the county is doing to address the EMS crisis, EMS career paths, information on when and when not to call an ambulance, along with prevention, safety and awareness tips.
Combating the housing crisis: Expanding affordable housing
Since the county’s Housing Trust Fund was established in 2022 — created to address accessibility challenges by supporting the development and preservation of affordable housing efforts — $14.3 million has been invested by the county.
$12.3 million of that has been used to create or preserve 370 affordable rental units and homes.
Serino announced the upcoming completion of three HTF projects in Beacon and the City of Poughkeepsie later in 2026, with 38 new or preserved housing opportunities, and 29 of which will be affordable.
Construction is underway for the 187-unit Wallace Campus Project, surrounded by Main Street, Catharine Street and Mill Street, which received an additional $110 million in state funding in December, following HTF funding in 2023. As well, the Locust Hill project in the Town of Rhinebeck, with 80 affordable units, has recently begun construction.
Additionally, the Powder House Road duplex project in Amenia is slated to break ground this year.
The third round of HTF applications will be launched in April, with a focus on small-scale projects that “blend naturally into the character” of county towns in villages, Serino said, like in rural areas.
Serino highlighted more affordable housing expansions and housing opportunities for residents:
Watch the State of the County Address
To see the entire 2026 Dutchess County State of the County address, visit dutchessny.gov/Departments/County-Executive/2026-State-of-the-County.htm.
“…No matter what comes our way, we will continue to act with fiscal responsibility, with purpose and with compassion,” Serino concluded. “The state of Dutchess County is strong — and we are working for you every single day.”
Nickie Hayes is Breaking & Trending News Reporter for the Poughkeepsie Journal. See her most recent articles here. Contact reporter Nickie Hayes: NHayes@poughkee.gannett.com, 845-863-3518 and @nickieehayess on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Dutchess will ‘meet the moment’, county exec says about rising costs, AI
Reporting by Nickie Hayes, Poughkeepsie Journal / Poughkeepsie Journal
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