OC Legislature's Ways and Means Committee Meeting 7/28/26 @ 4pm

The Orange County New York Legislature's Ways and Means Committee met on July 28, 2026, to review and discuss the proposed budget for Orange Community College for fiscal year 2026-2027. The discussion focused extensively on the college's revenue sources, including tuition increases, state aid, county contributions, and service fees, as well as expense categories such as personnel costs, contractual services, utilities, and fringe benefits. The committee reviewed detailed budget exhibits and projections, noting a proposed tuition increase of $180 and a 5% projected increase in full-time student enrollment. The county's funding request increased by approximately $390,000 (6%), and the college aimed to maintain salary savings through managing vacancies and turnover. The committee also discussed the state's underfunding relative to its expected share and the impact on students bearing a larger portion of costs. The budget proposal was accepted by the committee following a motion and vote. Additionally, the committee received an audit report for the county's 2025 fiscal year, which included a clean opinion and highlighted variances in revenues and expenditures, particularly related to federal and state aid and transfers to capital projects. The audit emphasized the importance of monitoring fund balances and budget variances for future fiscal planning.