Sullivan County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Sullivan County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Cornell Cooperative Extension Programs
Cornell Cooperative Extension will update the committee on its local programs, which typically cover agriculture, youth development and family services.
I Love New York tourism matching funds application
The Visitor's Association wants to tap into New York State's matching-funds program for tourism promotion. State money means more marketing power for Sullivan County's tourism economy, but the county has to commit local matching dollars.
Youth Bureau funding contract dates
A resolution would change Youth Bureau Funding Program contract dates to run up to November 1, 2026. It's a housekeeping fix, but it affects when youth service providers get paid.
First Responder Mental Health Training
A proposed purchase order would bring in PF Volkmann & Associates to deliver critical incident stress management and suicide prevention training — a direct investment in the wellbeing of police, fire, EMS and dispatch personnel.
Jeffersonville Communication Tower Project
The committee will consider amending a 2020 resolution and signing a contract with DASNY for the capital project to build a communication tower in Jeffersonville — a piece of the county's emergency radio/communications network. Committee action is only a recommendation to the full Legislature.
Callicoon Riverside Park Trail, phase two
A contract modification with the Fisher Association would cover design, engineering, and permitting for the second phase of the Callicoon Riverside Park Trail. It's an early-stage step toward extending the riverside trail.
Election Administration Update
The Board of Elections will report to the committee, offering a look at how elections are being run and resourced in the county.
SUNY Sullivan Report
SUNY Sullivan will brief the committee, touching on the community college's operations and its role in the county.
Office for the Aging resolution amendments
Two resolutions would modify prior county resolutions (No. 444-25 from November 2025 and No. 323-26 from September 2026) sponsored by the Office for the Aging. The agenda doesn't spell out what the changes do.
County Purchasing Report (ID-8827)
Purchasing and Central Services will walk the committee through its November report, giving a window into how the county is buying goods and services.
Workforce development programs
The Division of Community Resources reports monthly on workforce development — training and job-placement efforts that connect residents to local employers.
Fire Loss Investigation and Community Risk Reduction Grant
The county wants to tap a three-year state grant program for fire investigation and community risk reduction work. Accepting the award could expand fire prevention and investigation capacity without local dollars.
Mortgage recording tax increase and IDA exemptions
The mortgage tax doubles to 50 cents per $100, but a commenter pushed for limits on Industrial Development Agency exemptions so new revenue isn't given away; legislators agreed to revisit the issue.
Fort Delaware Museum operations agreement
The committee will consider an agreement with The Delaware Company to keep Fort Delaware Museum of Colonial History running and to provide programming and events at Minisink Battleground Park. It's about keeping a historic site open and active for visitors and locals.
Contempt Ruling Over Adult Care Center Closure
A judge held Sullivan County in contempt over the way it closed its adult care center, a major legal setback for county government. The ruling matters because residents who depend on the facility are directly affected, and the county now faces more legal and political pressure over the closure.
Court Injunction Contempt Ruling
A judge has found Sullivan County in contempt for violating a court injunction, meaning the county is in serious legal trouble. The ruling could lead to fines or force changes in how county government operates.
Lawsuit Over Senior Home Closure
Sullivan County is facing a new lawsuit over how it handled the closure of a senior home. If you have aging relatives or care about county oversight, this is one to watch because it could expose gaps in how vulnerable residents were protected.
Broadband Expansion Update
Sullivan County is giving a public update on its broadband expansion in Narrowsburg on Nov. 5. If your home internet is spotty, this is a chance to hear what’s planned and when. The source doesn’t include funding or timeline details yet.
Substance abuse prevention and recovery housing
The county proclaimed October as Substance Abuse Prevention Month and honored Oxford House, whose peer-run recovery housing operates residences in Sullivan County.
Sales tax increase Home Rule request
The county wants Albany's permission to add a quarter percent to the sales tax. Supporters say the revenue could fund services and sheriff's salaries; critics call sales taxes the most regressive tax, hitting people with the least money hardest.
Sheriff's Office staffing crisis and contract dispute
Deputies say Sullivan County pays patrol officers roughly $30,000 less than neighboring Orange County agencies and lacks a 20-year retirement, driving experienced staff out. Union representatives warned 13 of 59 deputies may soon take the Orange County civil service test.
Human Rights Commission activity
The commission has received 21 complaints since April, sustained five (including discrimination and housing retaliation cases), and is working with HUD on Monticello Housing Authority tenant issues, plus planning community events for December and early 2027.
Opioid settlement fund spending
Settlement dollars will fund law enforcement software subscription renewals; the committee briefly weighed whether other uses would better serve the community's opioid response.
County investigation services spending oversight
Members clashed over an open-ended agreement for outside investigations, calling it a blank check, before capping one pending case at $50,000 and promising a deeper policy review next month — including how much has been spent and whether investigations should be in person.
Senior citizens and disabled veterans property tax exemptions
A proposed local law would give seriously disabled veterans a real property tax exemption, with a public hearing set for November 19 at 10:25 a.m.
Employee health insurance switch to self-insurance
The county spends about $43 million a year on employee health coverage, and its fully insured premium was poised to jump 36%. The self-insurance plan keeps the same benefits and networks but pays actual claims, with stop-loss protection above $150,000 per person and an aggregate cap at 125% of expected claims. Officials expect the change to moderate cost growth and unlock pharmacy rebates.
Measles outbreak and public health response
A commenter warned that Sullivan County's childhood MMR vaccination rate is among the state's lowest amid a regional measles outbreak and state emergency, and pressed for evening/weekend clinics and stronger public outreach.
Adult Care Center closure fallout
Residents sharply criticized the Legislature's October 1 vote to close the Sunset Lake care center, noting the census is now at zero after transfers, workers face unemployment, and the certificate of need has effectively been discarded. A retention-payment resolution for employees who voluntarily move on also passed 8-1.
Mobile Home Park Management
Sullivan County’s troubled mobile home park could soon get a temporary manager, a move that matters for residents living with bad conditions. If you care about housing oversight or live nearby, this is one to watch.