Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Sullivan County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
17 issues with low priority
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.
Callicoon Riverside Park Trail, phase two
The Calicoon Park project has waited more than six months for federal environmental review. Because tree clearing is banned April 1 through November 1 to protect bats, the county hopes approval comes within a week so work can start.
Cornell Cooperative Extension Programs
Sullivan West's FFA program, which sent its first state champion to nationals, credited county Youth Bureau funding for making leadership programs affordable — and legislators offered to explore additional youth programming support.
New state law on employee personnel records
A law signed September 9 requires employers to give employees their personnel records within five business days at no cost and to notify them within ten days of adding negative material to their file. County officials said current practice already largely complies.
Reclassification of Social Services positions
Two Department of Social Services positions currently co-managed will be placed fully under Management and Budget. Officials say co-management creates conflicting goals and confusion for the employee.
Bail reform criticism
Chair Alvarez raised concerns from social media about repeat offenders being arrested repeatedly under the state's bail reform laws; the DA agreed bail reform 'is not working' but noted the most extreme scenario described hasn't happened in Sullivan County. The discussion echoed sentiment that county officials should push the state for changes.
County veterans cemetery operations
Burials in the county veterans cemetery hit 2,056 — up 27 since December 2025 — and a resolution amending burial eligibility was recently finalized with help from Legislator Kat Scott.
Climate Smart Communities recertification
The county's solar array and hydroelectric contracts saved over $216,000 in 2025 by locking in rates around 7 to 9.5 cents per kilowatt hour while grid prices run about 35 cents.
County vehicle fleet reduction
With Enterprise seeking 57 vehicle replacements, officials negotiated down to roughly 30-33, returned about 11 unused cars, and promised a full mileage report on the roughly 188-vehicle fleet so underused vehicles can be culled.
State emergency management and homeland security grants
The County Manager is authorized to apply for and accept two FY2025 state grants for emergency management and homeland security — free-ish federal/state money supporting preparedness.
Recognition of local Black trailblazers
The county formally honored Judge William Little and Debbie Mack, two Monticello natives who broke racial barriers in the courts and the postal service, with awards and proclamations at its first Juneteenth ceremony.
Disability Pride Month recognition
The county proclaimed July as Disability Pride Month and will fly the disability pride flag over the Government Center; advocates shared stories of county agencies collaborating on housing, employment and peer support.
Upper Delaware Council funding
The legislature added $2,000 to the Upper Delaware Council — which oversees the Delaware River with the DRBC, Park Service and Pennsylvania towns — for a litter sweep, following a $100,000 state line item secured by Assemblywoman Paula Kay.
County branding: hand sign vs. Woodstock heritage
A public commenter argued the county's new hand-sign branding abandons the Woodstock legacy that put Sullivan County on the map, and questioned the Visitors Association's contract deliverables and board structure.
Grand jury translator fees
A technical amendment to the fee resolution the grand jury uses to pay interpreters — a language cleanup, not a policy change.
County records storage crunch
Courthouse remodeling forced the Clerk's office to move hundreds of boxes of county records, some kept 50 years or forever. They're rebuilding shelving at the Liberty facility and pushing the state — which has been slow — to sign off on destroying records and to speed up digitization.
2026 Sullivan County Valedictorian Recognition
The legislature holds this special session every year to publicly honor the top graduating seniors from all seven county school districts. It's a chance for superintendents to thank legislators for supporting schools, and for families to see their kids celebrated at the county level.