Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Greene County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
32 issues
Commissioner of Social Services contract-signing authority for 2027
The Legislature is asked to renew the Social Services Commissioner's standing authority to sign court-ordered and mandated contracts and MOUs without a separate vote on each one. It's a yearly formality that keeps the county in compliance with federal and state obligations.
2027 food and supplies procurement for senior services and Sheriff's Department
The county needs to buy food, paper goods and disposables for the Aging unit and the Sheriff's Department during 2027, which starts with a public bid advertisement. Bids will be opened and read publicly under state law.
County EMS service contract for 2027
Greene County EMS President Mark Evans was scheduled to brief the Finance Committee on the state of the county's ambulance service. Updates like this often cover staffing, funding, and response-time concerns that affect residents countywide.
Sheriff's Authority to Execute Mandated Contracts
The Legislature approved a contract for speech services for preschoolers with disabilities, required by state education law — with Bulich dissenting.
Rapid Hepatitis C testing capability
Public Health proposed buying a machine that can detect active Hepatitis C from a fingerstick in about an hour, letting patients get tested and linked to treatment in one visit. The $26,407 cost is covered entirely by a state grant.
Town of Halcott emergency medical funding
Windham's ambulance budget is jumping 21.5% next year and Ashland's 14.5%, driven by higher wages, insurance, and a new hire. Mountaintop towns are asking the county to keep or increase the ambulance assistance they received this year, and plan to apply for a state grant together.
Election Results
The 2026 midterm results are in for Greene County, but the source only flags that winners are set and there are county-level implications—not the details. If you care about local services, budgets, or representation, the real impact will depend on what the newly elected officials do next.
Public Health and Mental Health service agreements
The county's addiction treatment contractor is merging with the Addictions Care Center of Albany. Services continue unchanged under the Twin County name, and the committee advanced the contract transfer unanimously.
Agricultural District 124 Inclusion Requests
Property owners who want to join the county's Agricultural District can apply November 1 through November 30 — contact the county economic development office for help.
2027 STOP-DWI Plan
The county's annual plan for drunk-driving prevention and enforcement was up for committee review before going to the state. It underwrites local DUI patrols, education, and safety programs for the coming year.
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.
Calls for property tax levy reduction
Resident Joe Izzo argued the county's $102 million fund balance, $150 million in cumulative surpluses and growing sales tax mean the county should cut the levy, not just hold it flat — especially for seniors and fixed-income residents.
Greene County Transit Operating Agreement
County bus service keeps running: ARC Mid-Hudson won the only bid to operate the transit system and lease its vehicles, on a two-year deal starting January 1, 2027 with three possible one-year extensions.
2024 In Rem Tax Foreclosure Sales
The county is moving ahead with the 2024 tax foreclosure: owners get one last chance to redeem or repurchase their properties before the November 17 deadline, then the rest go to public auction.
Highway and Bridge Repairs Funded
The Route 67 culvert in Greenville will be repaired for up to $44,016.40 by Town and County Bridge and Rail.
2026 Equalization Rates for County Towns
The committee advanced resolution 356-26 setting the state-mandated equalization rates for all 14 towns — these rates let the state compare property values across towns and factor into school aid and tax calculations.
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.
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.
Greene County Office Building roof replacement
The county's main office building gets a long-overdue new roof, and reserves already set aside for exactly this purpose cover the full $741,839.69 price tag — no new taxes needed.
I Love NY tourism marketing funds
The county wants state tourism dollars to keep marketing Greene County as a destination — it will pledge up to $172,500 in matching funds for the 2027 round.
Capital OTB Revenue Legislation Support
The county wants the state to hand unclaimed OTB winnings and pari-mutuel taxes back to local counties instead of letting them sit with the Comptroller — worth an estimated $20,000-$40,000 a year to Greene County.
Coordinated Transportation Plan public hearing
The county updated its transit plan using over a hundred public survey responses, and you can weigh in at a hearing November 18 before it goes to the state.
Countywide HVAC procurement
The county is starting the process to buy HVAC products competitively — equipment, components, and related materials. Bids haven't been received yet; this vote just authorizes advertising for them.
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.
Veterans Memorial Expansion at Catskill Point
The county is expanding the veterans memorial at the Catskill Point with new pavers and hardscape, honoring local veterans past and present. It's funded almost entirely by endowment and donor paver money, so it costs taxpayers almost nothing beyond a small miscellaneous line transfer.
Senior and Veteran Services Funding
Three human services contracts were refreshed: homemaker/companion care for seniors gets a rate clarification, the senior shopping shuttle keeps running with added medical transport for veterans, and youth sports programs get nearly $24,000 in state money.
Greene County Transit future operations
ARC Mid-Hudson was the only bidder to keep operating the county's bus system, and the county just took delivery of ten new buses. The two-year deal starting January 2027 keeps service running countywide.
Windham Transfer Station improvements
The Hunter Transfer Station is way over capacity — usage grew more than six-fold since 2018. Rebuilding Windham with separated commercial and residential drop-offs will spread out the load and fix a notoriously cramped site.
Youth Sports and Recreation Funding
State funding of $23,664 is being divided among four local youth programs — Athens rec, Cairo summer sports, Durham swimming and Hunter's Mountain Top youth sports — keeping summer recreation and swim lessons going.
High-potency 7-OH (synthetic kratom) sale ban
7-OH is a synthetic compound derived from kratom that the FDA warned about in July 2026 and that the DEA considers an imminent hazard to public safety. The state Legislature passed a ban on selling products above 2% total alkaloids or 1 mg per serving, and the county is adding its voice urging the Governor to sign it.
NY Connects and HIICAP services for seniors and disabled residents
The Hearthstone Care contract now covers Level II personal care — help with bathing, dressing, toileting and walking — at $35 an hour, with an extra $2 an hour for the seven remote Mountain Top towns where help is hard to find.
Verizon Copper Landline Discontinuation
Verizon is pulling the plug on copper landlines, and lawmakers worry rural and elderly residents will lose phone service during power outages — fiber backups only last about eight hours, and storms here can knock out power for days. Legislator Legg wants the county to lead a protest, with letters going to the FCC and Public Service Commission. The county administrator plans to have a letter of protest on Tuesday's full board agenda.