KINGSTON, N.Y. — Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger on Wednesday unveiled a spending plan for 2026 that increases spending by 3.5% and adds 10 new positions to county government, but still holds the line on the amount to be raised by taxes.

Metzger told those gathered in the legislative chambers of the County Office Building for the budget announcement that as the county braces for anticipated cuts in federal funding, the $491.5 million proposed spending plan will provide targeted investments in programs and services on which the county’s residents rely.

Although the extent of that impact is still unknown, she said, “What we do know is that the federal budget law that was passed in July pushes federal costs down to states and counties.

“That budget also makes deep cuts in the social sa

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