Greene County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Greene County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
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.
2027 County Budget Hearing Set
The county's proposed 2027 budget keeps the property tax levy flat at $27.4 million for the eighth straight year, with nine towns seeing lower rates and five higher. The catch: it leans heavily on sales tax and reserves, which may not sustain the county past 2029-2030.
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.
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.
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.
Chargebacks Assessed to Towns
Towns are being billed their shares of printing and mailing 2026 tax bills ($25,639) and exemption notices ($10,624). Chairman Linger voted no on both, the lone dissent both times.
Full tax exemption for seriously disabled veterans
A proposed local law would fully exempt the primary residences of seriously disabled veterans from county taxes and special district charges. A public hearing is set for August 19, 2026.
Three-year contract agreement with UPSEU for county nurses
The county ratified its 2026-2028 agreement with the nurses union (UPSEU), which passed 12-2 with Bulich and Hobart opposed.
Property Tax Exemption for Surviving Spouses of Fallen Police Officers
Local Law 1 of 2026 exempts up to 50% of the assessed value of a fallen officer's surviving spouse's primary residence from county property taxes. It's a cost of sympathy for fallen officers' families, but since the state provides no reimbursement, the lost county revenue is absorbed by other taxpayers. Lawmakers also flagged plans to extend similar benefits to corrections officers once pending state bills are signed.
Surviving spouse tax exemption for fallen police officers
Greene County enacted Local Law 1 of 2026, cutting county property taxes by up to 50% for surviving spouses of officers killed in the line of duty who live in the county and haven't remarried.
County Administrator term extension
A resolution was on the agenda to extend County Administrator Shaun Groden's current term.
Contractor accountability on construction projects
Legislator Mike Bulich criticized paying architects and engineers in full before major projects like the Justice Center are finished, and asked the county to consider holding back more money until work is completed.
Capital OTB Revenue Legislation Support
The county endorsed state bills that would send unclaimed OTB winnings and pari-mutuel tax revenue to participating Capital Region counties — money that supports county services.