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.