The Dutchess County Legislature voted unanimously Monday, April 13 to temporarily cap how much county sales tax is collected on gasoline and highway diesel, approving a measure supporters said would offer modest relief for consumers as fuel prices climb. County lawmakers have said the change is expected to take effect June 1, pending approval from the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.
Under the resolution, Dutchess County would temporarily limit its 3.75% local sales tax on gasoline and highway diesel to the first $3 of a gallon’s price, so the county’s share would no longer rise when fuel costs more than $3 a gallon. The change would take effect June 1, 2026, and expire Dec. 1, 2026.
Because fuel taxes are built into the posted pump price, motorists would not see a separate discount at checkout. Any relief would instead appear in a slightly lower per-gallon price.
According to AAA, the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in Dutchess County on April 16 was $4.125. At that price, the county’s 3.75% share works out to about 15.5 cents a gallon. Under the temporary cap, that amount would be limited to 11.25 cents a gallon — a savings of about 4.2 cents per gallon, or roughly 63 cents on a 15-gallon fill-up. If prices were to rise to $5 a gallon, the savings on a 15-gallon purchase would increase to about $1.13; at $6 a gallon, to about $1.69.
“This resolution is particularly important for our farmers, who are seeing operational costs increase by 25% or more, creating significant financial strain during this critical planting season,” said Legislator Eric Alexander, D-25, who represents Amenia, Washington, Pleasant Valley, and the Village of Millbrook.
“One of the many unfortunate results from this needless war in the Middle East is high gas prices, and it doesn’t make sense for the county to get a windfall of taxes from that,” said Legislator Chris Drago, D-19, who represents constituents in Stanford, Pine Plains, Milan, North East, Millerton, and a portion of Red Hook. “Although only a modest savings at the pump, every bit helps during times like these.”