MidHudsonNews [dot] com is reporting Dutchess County lawmakers this week debated for nearly three hours before voting to adopt the county's 2019 budget totaling $502 million. The spending plan includes a 2.5 percent tax levy reduction, the fifth tax reduction for county residents in as many years. The debate leading up to the vote was over jail issues, including staffing and whether money should be included to fund more positions. Jail Administrator Mike Walters said putting money in the budget for 10 new positions could be a futile effort. He said it could take almost the full year to train a full-time candidate. The amendment to fund the jail positions failed as did several other amendments. Amendments approved by the legislators included more funding for non-profit agencies that work with the county. The final vote to adopt the budget was 19 "yes," five "no." The spending plan now goes back to County Executive Marcus Molinaro for any possible vetoes. Read the full story at MidHudsonNews [dot] com.