ORANGE COUNTY, N.Y.—At the annual State of the County address on April 23, Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus touted a well-improved fiscal condition under his helm, highlighting a growing tax base and lowered tax levy, a fattened rainy-day fund, and less county debt.
He attributed much of the financial success to his pro-economic development policy, which he said has attracted new businesses, created new jobs, and buttressed local spending.
“When [our businesses] are successful, and when our community is successful, they are able to pay for things, and our sales tax goes up, [which] allows us to give property tax relief,” Neuhaus told a crowd in an auditorium at the county emergency services building in Goshen….