MidHudsonNews [dot] com is reporting Ulster County Executive Patrick Ryan October 1, unveiled the county's 2021 $333.8 million budget, which lowers spending 2.6 percent from the current year spending plan and avoids layoffs without a tax increase. “I think we got the balance right,” said Ryan. “We’ve reduced overall spending. We did it with no tax increases and no layoffs, and we are continuing to invest in those key areas of rebuilding a more equitable economy and taking care of each other at a moment of need.” The budget reduces spending $2 million for social services and $1.23 million for the sheriff’s office. Mental health services will get a $540,000 increase to $13.7 million, including $900,000 for mobile mental health services. Public health spending will increase $140,000 to $7.9 million, and including $670,000 for opioid use prevention. The county will spend $48.5 million on infrastructure, and $5.3 million for economic development. Ryan said the county has a healthy un-appropriated fund balance that can keep the county’s finances stable through 2022. “We have that financial flexibility. We are maintaining a level of operations that I think we can maintain through a continued bumpy road if that’s what comes,” he said. Read the full story at midhudsonnews[dot] com.