Rockland County Executive Scott Vanderhoef delivered his 16th State of the County address Wednesday night, focusing heavily on the financial crisis and outlining a new economic plan.

"The state of Rockland County is in what I would call guarded condition," Vanderhoef said. "Our unemployment is high at 6.4 percent."

In an effort to help create jobs and preserve local businesses, Vanderhoef plans to form an economic development strategy group.

Although Vanderhoef did not touch on his other major proposal during his address, he is calling for an annual 3 percent cap on county property taxes. Vanderhoef says taxpayers should not have to bear the cost of rising state mandates, which currently make up 71 percent of Rockland's total budget.

"If we would take some of those mandates out, like potential Medicaid, take over certain kinds of pre-K intervention programs over a period of years," he said. "The counties could actually relieve the local property taxpayer and I think that's a necessity at this point."

Vanderhoef said county government has stopped spending and is focused on doing more with less.

The county executive also added that he plans to run for re-election this year, although he has yet to make a formal announcement.

For Rockland Executive Scott Vanderhoef?s annual State of the County address, go to your digital cable box and select iO Extra, Ch. 612.