While Dutchess County may start to reopen certain aspects of its economy in the next couple of weeks, it is looking to the federal government to provide financial stability to move forward.
The county is hoping to begin the process the week of May 19 since it has met most of the requirements set forth by the state, Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro said. The requirements include hospitalization rates, deaths, number of contact tracers and available beds in hospitals. The county is currently working on bringing up the number of contact tracers and on the reducing hospitalization rate.
Molinaro and Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz spoke on a conference call this morning organized by the New York State Association of Counties.
Molinaro said that the county is trending in a positive direction in regard to all seven requirements set forth by the state. Data provided by the county shows that there are 68 individuals hospitalized and 40 deaths related to COVID-19. The county currently has about 90 contract tracers.
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Dutchess county is part of the Mid-Hudson region, which includes most of downstate, in the state's plan to open up the economy regionally.
"I think it's more likely that that the region absent of Rockland and Westchester would start sooner," said Molinaro. The reopening would be done in increments starting with parts of manufacturing and construction.
However the opening could come as the county is considering cutting government jobs.
"This week we'll know a little bit more about sales tax receipts," Molinaro told the Journal. "It is absolutely a possibility that we would have to shrink the size of county government...how deep those cuts would be is dependent on whether or not the federal government and Congress has the political will and a sense of duty to provide aid to counties across the county.
Counties have been asking congress to push to have financial aid sent directly to the counties, bypassing the state. Counties may take a big hit as sales tax revenue continues to decrease and the shortfall that could come from property tax receipt.
"We obviously have to consider the fact that public may not have the capacity to pay certain bills," Molinaro said. "So where will they be on property tax receipts.... if you don't pay your town or school or village tax, the county still cuts a check to the towns or village. So we may lose the revenue from the taxpayer and still have to pay the expense to the municipality."
Saba Ali: SAli1@poughkeepsiejournal.com; 845-451-4518.
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Dutchess County looking to reopen by mid-May as it considers cutting county jobs - Poughkeepsie Journal
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