Trash hauling, shared services and a proposed high-earner surcharge discussed

Budget pressures and solid-waste policy came up as candidates discussed how the county can protect essential services without raising property taxes.

Drake noted the county depends heavily on sales and mortgage taxes tied to tourism and warned that shipping trash to out-of-county landfills can be costly over time. Nolan described past efforts to site a landfill in Ulster County she opposed and advocated for a regional shared-services model (GUS) to limit waste shipping. She also said county leaders are considering a possible surcharge on some of the highest income earners as a way to avoid raising property taxes; she said it could not be enacted this year but merits discussion next year.