Health and Mental Health Committee Meeting - Budget Hearings - 10/27/26 @2pm

The Orange County, New York Health and Mental Health Committee held 2027 budget hearings on October 27, 2026. The committee approved the health department and medical examiner budget sections after discussion of staffing, service levels, and reductions to consulting and laboratory-related lines. The Health Department reported that an RFP would be issued for preschool and early-intervention transportation services. Members also discussed a removed early-intervention service-coordinator position; staff said current staffing could cover caseloads and agreed to return if service needs increase. The Medical Examiner’s Office described its existing transportation contracting arrangement, which followed a county bid process, and said current spending was below budget. No new transportation contract award or vendor selection was reported.

Capital and other spending items included ongoing improvements to the 1887 building—painting, carpeting, stairwells, and bathrooms—and a $70,000 bond request for dietary-service equipment, with items such as a hand-washing sink, storage racks, and a mixer on the replacement watch list. The committee also reviewed mental-health budget changes tied to discontinued grant support and a state-aid RFP currently in a blackout period; the department said it may seek to restore funding after the process concludes. Valley View described using about $12 million of surplus to balance its budget and said future capital projects and expenses are being considered for bonding. Budget sections received committee approval; no specific vendor awards were identified.