Sullivan County meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

County committees advance resolutions on airport, budget, and health services

Sullivan County's Public Works Committee voted unanimously (7-0) on August 13 to recommend seven resolutions to the full Legislature, covering airport fencing, pavement marking, solid waste fee changes, guide rail work, leachate disposal, and two FAA grant applications for airport apron rehabilitation. The recommendations will go to the County Legislature for action at its August 20 meeting.

Public Works Committee

The committee advanced all seven items without denial or tabling. These include a modification agreement with Seneca Pavement Marking for additional pavement marking, an agreement with Ketcham Fencing for airport security fencing and gate operators, an amendment to Solid Waste Management Rules delaying a price increase to January 1, 2027, a modification agreement with Phelps Guide Rail for County Road 56 work, an amendment to a leachate disposal agreement with TAM Enterprises, and two FAA ACIP grant applications for airport apron rehabilitation. All votes were 7-0.

Management & Budget Committee

The Management & Budget Committee voted 5-0 to advance three resolutions to the Legislature: adding $15,000 to Resolution No. 382-23, apportioning the 2026 2nd Quarter Mortgage Tax, and modifying the 2026 Budget. The committee also received updates from the Division of Management & Budget, County Treasurer, and Real Property Tax Services, and discussed the daycare situation, but made no decisions on those items.

Health & Human Services Committee

The Health and Human Services Committee voted 4-0 to advance two resolutions: one authorizing the County Manager to execute agreements for access to State and Federal Public Health Systems, and another authorizing a contract with CHE Senior Psychological Services. The committee also received monthly reports from Social Services and Public Health and heard public comments.

Human Resources Committee

The Human Resources Committee voted 5-0 to advance two resolutions: one to reclassify a position in the Department of Planning, and another to authorize participation in the SUNY Sullivan Federal Work-Study Program. The committee also heard an update from the Division of Human Resources and public comments.

County Legislature (August 20)

The County Legislature met on August 20, but minutes have not yet been published. The agenda included a public hearing on the SUNY Sullivan (SCCC) 2026-2027 operating budget, with a presentation by college president Dr. David Potash, and a resolution to approve the budget. Other agenda items included a vote on the 2026-2027 community college budget, a modification to an agreement with Alta Planning and Design, Inc. for $98,950 for O&W Rail Trail engineering, a stipend for District Attorney Office employees for discovery reform programs, an amendment to Solid Waste Management Rules to delay a price increase to January 1, 2027, and authorization for security fencing at Sullivan County International Airport with Ketcham Fencing, Inc.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are scheduled in the next 14 days.

Sullivan County committees weigh lease, rail trail contract, and grant applications

Sullivan County officials met Aug. 6 for a series of committee meetings and public hearings. Proposals on the table included a 10-year lease for a private school in Thompson, a $98,950 engineering contract for the O&W Rail Trail, and a grant application for fire special operations teams. No final decisions were made; minutes have not yet been published, so all actions remain pending.

County Legislature

The Legislature held two public hearings and a special meeting. A hearing on Agricultural District #4 took comments on the district's boundaries and the 2026 Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board report. A second hearing addressed a proposed local law to amend Local Law 1 of 1992 regarding flow control. The special meeting included several resolutions: denying a request to correct the 2026 tax roll for the Town of Mamakating, authorizing a perpetual easement for broadband infrastructure in the Town of Rockland, ratifying a memorandum of agreement with the New York Nurses Association, and appointing two members to the Charter Review Commission.

Economic Development Committee

The committee voted on three resolutions. One would modify an agreement with the Workforce Development Board for One Stop Operator services. Another would accept a NYSDOL grant for the NYSCION program. The third would authorize a 10-year lease with HR Strawberry LLC for a private school building in Thompson. The committee also received monthly reports from the Division of Community Resources and the Industrial Development Agency.

Planning and Community Resources Committee

A resolution to modify an agreement with Alta Planning and Design, Inc. would add $98,950 for engineering and design work on the Sullivan O&W Rail Trail in Parksville, to meet New York State Department of Transportation requirements. The committee also received monthly reports from the Division of Community Development and the Planning Division.

Public Safety and Law Enforcement Committee

The committee considered resolutions to apply for DASNY/SAM funding for the Bureau of Fire Special Operations Teams, to amend Resolution 269-13 on the pay rate for the Emergency Services Training Center Facilitator, and to authorize a stipend for District Attorney office employees for NYS discovery reform programs. Reports were received from the Deputy Commissioner, Probation, and other agencies.

Other Committees

The Government Services Committee heard routine reports from Purchasing & Central Services, the Board of Elections, the County Clerk, SUNY Sullivan, and Cornell Cooperative Extension. No resolutions were listed. The Veterans Committee received commander's reports from veterans service organizations and a director's report from the Veterans Service Agency, followed by discussion and public comment.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days based on available data.

Sullivan County committees approve $35K environmental contract, 2026 budget modification, and flow control investigation

Sullivan County committees met on July 16, 2026, and advanced a series of resolutions covering environmental services, a 2026 budget modification, an investigation into flow control ordinance violations, and several human services agreements. The most consequential decisions now head to the full County Legislature for final action.

Public Works Committee

The Public Works Committee approved two resolutions. The first authorizes the County Manager to enter a contract with Optima Environmental Services, Inc. for up to $35,000 for services at various county facilities (ID 18492). The second engages an investigator to look into violations of the county's Flow Control Ordinance (ID 18481). Both motions carried with votes from Chairman Perrello and Legislators Ward, McPhillips, Salomone, and Scott. Vice Chairman McPhillips and Legislator Alvarez were absent.

The committee later reconvened at 12:52 p.m. — with Matt McPhillips selected to lead the recessed session — and adjourned two minutes later at 12:54 p.m. to await legal advice from counsel. No substantive decisions were recorded in that session.

Management & Budget Committee

The Management & Budget Committee approved five resolutions, all by unanimous 4-0 votes, to be forwarded to the County Legislature meeting on July 21, 2026. The resolutions cover:

• Executive modification agreements with the NYS Office of Indigent Legal Services, Sullivan Legal Aid Panel, and Sullivan County Conflict Legal Aid, Inc.
• Correction of the 2026 tax roll for the Town of Thompson, Tax Map #110.-3-44
• An intermunicipal agreement with the Town of Thompson for IT services and Laserfiche document management
• Repurchase of properties listed on Schedule A
• Modification of the 2026 budget

All five motions were moved by Vice Chairman Matt McPhillips and seconded by District 9 Legislator Terry Blosser-Bernardo.

Health & Human Services Committee

The Health & Human Services Committee voted unanimously (3-0) to approve four resolutions:

• An agreement for Summer Youth Employment Services, to be sent to the County Legislature on July 20, 2026
• Agreements for Residential Respite Preventive Services, to be sent on July 21, 2026
• Agreements for the provision of professional services, to be sent on July 21, 2026
• A modification of the agreement with e-psychiatry for telemedicine psychiatric care, to be sent on July 21, 2026

No other actions were taken by this committee.

Human Resources Committee

The Human Resources Committee voted to table the resolution that would abolish, create, and modify certain positions within the Sullivan County Department of Public Health. The motion was made by Vice Chair Brian McPhillips, seconded by District 5 Legislator Catherine Scott, and carried with votes from Chairwoman Amanda Ward, Vice Chair McPhillips, District 9 Legislator Terry Blosser-Bernardo, and District 5 Legislator Catherine Scott. No vote was taken on resolutions to reclassify public works positions or to prohibit recording devices. The meeting adjourned at 9:44 a.m.

Items on the July 21 Agenda (Not Yet Decided)

The Sullivan County Executive Committee and County Legislature were scheduled to meet on July 21, 2026. Minutes have not yet been published, so outcomes are not confirmed. Items listed on those agendas include:

• A resolution to modify the 2026 budget (ID 18512)
• Authorization of the Optima Environmental Services contract up to $35,000 (ID 18492)
• Authorization to apply for and accept the FY 2025 Emergency Management Performance Grant Program award and the FY 2025 Homeland Security Grant Program award from NY State DHSES (IDs 18465 and 18466)
• Extension of the Senior Care EMS contract (ID 18506)
• A public hearing on Agricultural District 4 parcel inclusion set for August 6, 2026 (ID 18507)
• Award of RFP #R-26-16 to Accessibility Innovations Inc. for a digital accessibility assessment (ID 18524)
• A budget hearing for the SCCC 2026-2027 budget

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days. Readers should check the county's official calendar for any newly scheduled sessions.

Sullivan County committees advance cemetery rules, jail services, and grant applications ahead of July 21 Legislature meeting

Sullivan County's legislative committees held a round of meetings on July 9, 2026, moving several resolutions to the full County Legislature for its July 21 session. The most notable actions included approving a law firm engagement letter, advancing jail medical services, and authorizing grant applications for emergency management and homeland security.

County Legislature approves Harris Beach Murtha engagement

The County Legislature approved an engagement letter with the law firm Harris Beach Murtha, Murtha & Scott LLP by a 6–2 vote. A separate motion to untable a resolution regarding a centralized arraignment part failed due to a lack of a second, leaving that resolution tabled.

Public Safety committee advances three resolutions

The Public Safety and Law Enforcement Committee carried three resolutions to the County Legislature, each by a 4–0 vote:

• Extending Prime Care Services for the Sullivan County Jail.
• Accepting the FY2025 Emergency Management Performance Grant.
• Accepting the FY2025 Homeland Security Grant Program award.

All three are scheduled for consideration at the July 21 Legislature meeting.

Planning committee approves County Plan funding and Youth Bureau extensions

The Planning and Community Resources Committee approved two resolutions, both by 4–0 votes:

• Resolution #1 authorizes an application for funding to write a County Comprehensive Plan.
• Resolution #2 authorizes extending certain 2025 Youth Bureau contracts through December 31, 2026.

Both resolutions will be forwarded to the County Legislature on July 21, 2026.

Veterans Committee amends cemetery rules

The Veterans Committee moved to amend the rules for operation of the Sullivan County Veteran's Cemetery. The motion was made by District 5 Legislator Catherine Scott, seconded by Chairman Luis Alvarez, and carried by Chairman Alvarez, Vice Chairman Salomone, District 5 Legislator Scott, and District 1 Legislator McPhillips. The amendment will be presented to the County Legislature on July 21, 2026.

Other committees hold updates without votes

The Government Services Committee received departmental updates from Purchasing and Central Services, the Board of Elections, the County Clerk, SUNY Sullivan, and Cornell Cooperative Extension. No resolutions were presented or voted upon.

The Economic Development Committee received monthly updates from the SCVA, Division of Community Resources, IDA, Chamber of Commerce, Foundation, and Partnership for Economic Development. No resolutions were presented, though the session included several public comments.

Public Works Committee reconvenes and adjourns

The Public Works Committee reconvened at 12:52 p.m. on July 16, 2026, after several members were absent, with Matt McPhillips selected to lead the recessed session. The committee adjourned at 12:54 p.m. to await legal advice from counsel. No substantive decisions or votes were recorded.

Coming up

July 21 — Executive Committee: Will consider amending Resolution No. 304-23, extending the Senior Care EMS contract, setting public hearings for Agricultural District 4 parcel inclusion (scheduled for August 6, 2026) and a flow-control local law, awarding a contract to Accessibility Innovations Inc. for a digital accessibility assessment, and a budget hearing for the SCCC 2026–2027 budget.

July 21 — County Legislature: Will vote on modifying the 2026 budget, authorizing a contract with Optima Environmental Services, Inc. (92–94 Stewart Ave., Newburgh, NY 12550) not to exceed $35,000, applying for FY2025 Emergency Management Performance Grant and Homeland Security Grant Program awards, engaging an investigator for flow control ordinance violations, and extending Youth Bureau contracts through December 31, 2026.

Several July 16 committee meetings — Human Resources, Management & Budget, Public Works, and Health & Human Services — appear as agenda-only items with minutes not yet published. Those agendas included staffing changes, a recording device policy, 2026 budget modifications, tax roll corrections, and service agreements for youth employment and telemedicine.