Hey, Orange County! Last week, my staff and I put the finishing touches on the State of the County address, which I delivered on April 23. I’ll start with that, but there’s so much more going on around the county that I’m excited to share with you as well.
I delivered the State of the County address to a packed auditorium at the Emergency Services Center on April 23. The address highlighted the work of the county’s departments, including Finance, Community Development, DPW, Parks, County Attorney, Human Resources, Tourism, Emergency Services, and many more.
I am so proud of my administration—from our great part-time and full-time county employees to department heads and deputies—for their continued dedication and hard work on behalf of Orange County residents. I am happy and proud to say that the Orange County government is a well-oiled machine, running efficiently and on all cylinders.
During my address, I spoke about the many positive developments in the county that protect taxpayer dollars and contribute to our positive fiscal ratings. We have continued to simultaneously reduce the county property tax rate, lower county debt, and share sales tax revenues with our municipalities. This combination keeps our financial rating as one of the highest in New York state, and, per the state’s Comptroller’s Office, our fiscal stress score remains at zero. Our unemployment rate is lower than those of both the federal and state governments, and our tax base continues to grow. We’re moving full speed ahead in a positive direction!
I had an amazing opportunity to meet and see some truly inspiring people. There’s a distinct and special relationship that Orange County, the Orange County Land Trust, and our conservation partners locally share with The Explorers Club. The passion to explore and protect the environment is alive and well! Stay tuned, there’s more to come regarding our conservation efforts.
Speaking of great encounters, I ran into Chef Robert Irvine, truly a full-circle moment! We first met six years ago in April 2019 in Iraq during his USO tour to support the troops. Fast forward to the present, we recreated our original photo, swapped challenge coins, and shared our continued appreciation for the armed forces. It’s always inspiring to see celebrities take time to support those who serve. Great seeing you again, Chef!
I also have some exciting news about the Maple Avenue School in Chester—it is now officially owned by Orange County. Many thanks to the Chester Union Free School District for working with us to make this happen. We have exciting plans for this building that will bring real benefits to our residents. Once again, I ask that you please stay tuned.
Switching gears to the international front, I’m thrilled to announce that Orange County has officially entered a sister city partnership with Kaohsiung City, Taiwan. This agreement will strengthen ties through smart city innovation, economic and tech collaboration, and cultural and educational exchange. As your county executive, I’m proud to build global connections that create new opportunities and growth for our county.
Another point of pride: At this year’s New York State Information Technology Leadership Awards held recently in Albany, two outstanding members of the Orange County IT Department—Karen Norrell and William O’Connor—were honored for their leadership and contributions to technology. We are incredibly proud of their achievements and grateful for their dedication to serving our community. Congratulations, Karen and William!
And last but certainly not least, on April 24, we celebrated Administrative Professionals Day, where we honored the incredible individuals who keep the Orange County government running smoothly every single day. From Social Services to Mental Health, Health, Aging, Probation, and the Youth Bureau, and every great department in between, the hard work, dedication, and attention to detail of the county’s administrative professionals are noticed and appreciated!
Enjoy the beautiful spring weather! I hope to see you soon, around the county!
