Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Montgomery County, New York public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
9 issues in public safety
Child protective caseload crisis
DSS ranks last in the state for caseworker caseloads — some veterans carry 50-60 cases against a 15-case standard — and 65% of cases are overdue. The department is asking for caseworker assistant positions to free up caseworkers.
New homeless shelter in Amsterdam
The county renewed contracts for the Catholic Charities warming center ($197K) and IPH's Danielle's House ($185K), providing 18 emergency shelter beds during Code Blue cold-weather alerts — both fully state-funded.
County EMS service growth and staffing
If you're transported by county EMS, the bill to your insurance goes up starting September 1. The county says higher rates offset the real cost of running ambulance service.
Section 730 mental health restoration costs
Counties must pay for court-ordered psychiatric placement of inmates found incompetent to stand trial — $1,571 a day at Marcy, with five cases now and an estimated $2.6 million exposure for 2026. Staff are pursuing alternatives and NYSAC-backed legislation to cap costs.
New radio tower and 911 dispatch upgrades
Over $1.1 million in state grants will fund a new emergency communications tower in the Town of Amsterdam and new 911 dispatch software — all at no cost to county taxpayers.
EMS billing rate increase
The county is updating its EMS billing rates to reflect current charges, with the effect on the 2027 budget expected to be positive but impossible to guarantee since it depends on call types and insurance reimbursement.
District Attorney staffing crisis
The DA's office is down to three ADAs with about two years of experience each handling serious felonies. A new position requiring five-plus years of experience would be funded within the existing budget plus recurring discovery grant money.
School resource officer contracts for 2026-27
Four school districts and FMCC will pay the full cost — about $360,000 — to keep sheriff's deputies in their schools next year.
Utility easement at public safety facility
The county grants Niagara Mohawk and Frontier an easement to maintain the service line to the public safety tower, for $1,000.