Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Greene County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
9 issues in taxes budget with high priority
2027 County Budget Hearing Set
The county will hold its public hearing on the tentative 2027 budget October 28 at Catskill High School — your chance to weigh in before the budget is finalized.
Delinquent Property Taxes Rising
Collections on $10.5 million in delinquent taxes are running about $2 million behind last year, which the Treasurer attributes to economic stress — a warning sign for county and town finances.
Senior & Disability Property Tax Exemption Income Limits
The county is weighing an increase to the income cap for senior and disabled property tax exemptions — from $37,000 to $38,500 for a full 50% exemption, sliding up to $46,899.99. It's tied to the 3.6% Social Security cost-of-living bump so existing recipients don't lose their break. A public hearing is planned for December.
Proposed Hudson Valley Power Authority and Central Hudson electricity costs
Central Hudson is offering to fund utility feasibility studies for development sites like Cementon, saving the county those costs — though Legislator Hobart questioned whether letting the utility do the study is a conflict of interest. A formal MOU could come next month.
Cornell Cooperative Extension funding increase request
Extension wants its county appropriation raised from $244,090 to $309,900 — the first real bump in years. The money would mostly lift wages for educators earning $23–25 an hour who run 4-H, horticulture, and ag programs. Cut it and state matching funds shrink too; raise it and the state match stays flat.
Full tax exemption for seriously disabled veterans
The county is considering adopting a state-law option that wipes out county taxes and special district charges for seriously disabled veterans' primary homes. It would apply starting with the March 2027 assessment roll. Few veterans qualify — they must be rated permanently and totally disabled by the VA — so the fiscal impact is limited but real for other taxpayers.
Columbia-Greene Community College 2026-2027 operating budget
The college's $18.5 million budget is nearly break-even, with a small surplus and no use of fund balance — a turnaround after cumulative deficits of about $1.8 million since 2018. Greene County's sponsorship share drops by roughly $36,000 thanks to enrollment shifts, and the public can weigh in at an August 19 hearing before final adoption.
Federal SNAP Cost Shifts Under H.R. 1
Federal law will cut the federal share of SNAP administrative costs and add benefit cost-sharing starting in 2026-2027, potentially costing Greene County about $243,582 a year and forcing higher property taxes or service cuts. The Legislature voted 9-5 to demand a two-year delay and to ask New York State to make counties whole if Washington doesn't act.
Contractor accountability on construction projects
Legislator Mike Bulich criticized paying architects and engineers in full before major projects like the Justice Center are finished, and asked the county to consider holding back more money until work is completed.