Sullivan County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Sullivan County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
SUNY Sullivan Report
SUNY Sullivan will brief the committee, touching on the community college's operations and its role in the county.
Cornell Cooperative Extension Programs
Cornell Cooperative Extension will update the committee on its local programs, which typically cover agriculture, youth development and family services.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Senior Center Closure
Sullivan County officials voted to close the local senior center, and one lawmaker warns the building will just sit empty. If you or your family rely on the center, the closure hits you directly.
County Facility Closure Vote
Sullivan County lawmakers are holding a public vote on whether to shut down Sunset Lake Adult Care Center. If you know someone living there or rely on local senior care, this decision could hit close to home.
Broadband Expansion
Sullivan County is getting high-speed internet built out across the area, and officials are calling it 'completely transformational.' If you live or run a business there, this could mean faster connections, more remote-work options, and better access to online services.
County Care Center Closure Lawsuit
A judge says Sullivan County probably broke state law when it decided to shut down its care center. That means the closure could be paused or redone—and taxpayers could end up paying for the mess.
County Care Center Operations
A judge says the Sullivan County Care Center can’t close yet, so operations will continue while the legal fight plays out. If you have a loved one there—or work there—the next steps matter a lot.
Court Ruling on County Nursing Home Closure
A state Supreme Court judge has ordered Sullivan County’s nursing home to stay open for now, so the Care Center’s closure is on hold while the legal fight continues. That’s a big deal for residents, families, and staff who were facing uncertainty about where care would go.
Nursing Home Closure
A judge has temporarily blocked Sullivan County from closing its nursing home, so residents and families get a breather—but the fight over the facility’s future is still live. If you have a loved one in county care, expect uncertainty and more legal and political back-and-forth before anything is final.
Solar Energy Debate
Sullivan County’s solar debate isn’t just about panels—it’s about whether the Catskills grid can keep the lights on during extreme heat. That means your power bills and summer reliability are on the line.
Senior Care Center Closure
Sullivan County residents are fighting a plan to close a local senior care center. For families who depend on it for elder care, the closure could force them to scramble for alternatives farther away or pay more. The pushback signals this is becoming a local political issue.
Adult Care Center Closure
Sullivan County is closing its Adult Care Center, which is a big deal for families who depend on it for senior care. If you have an aging loved one, this could change where and how they get care.
County Nursing Home Closure
Sullivan County’s county-owned nursing home in Liberty is closing because it’s losing money. That’s a big deal for residents and families who depend on it for care—and for the workers whose jobs are tied to it.
SNAP policy impact on county costs
Sullivan County’s former health commissioner says upcoming SNAP changes will push more costs and work onto New York counties, including Sullivan. That could squeeze county budgets and slow down help for residents who depend on county services.
County Casino Financing
Sullivan County’s casino bet is still not paying off eight years in, and the county just borrowed $585 million to keep the project alive. That’s debt with real consequences for local budgets and taxpayers, so it’s worth watching how the county plans to cover it.
Solar Farm Opposition
A candidate for New York governor is publicly opposing a proposed solar farm in Forestburgh, turning the project into a local political flashpoint. That attention could influence how town and county officials handle approvals and related decisions.
County Grant Program Recognition
Sullivan County’s grant program just got top honors, which is basically a gold star for how local tax dollars are awarded to community projects. The recognition doesn’t hand out new money, but it signals the process is being noticed for doing things right.
Flooding
Heavy flooding is closing roads and hitting businesses across Sullivan County. If you're heading out, expect detours and check road conditions first.
Airport Services Contract
Sullivan County’s international airport is looking for a vendor to provide services for small private aircraft—basically general aviation. If you fly small planes or care about how county-owned property is managed, this contract is worth watching. The source doesn’t spell out the cost or full scope yet.