County Executive Jen Metzger Delivers 2026 State of the County Address

Published on February 18, 2026

Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger Delivers 2026 State of the County Address to a Packed House at Rosendale Theatre

Calls out Harmful Federal Policies; Highlights County Initiatives to Protect Public Safety, Improve Affordability and Advance Economic, Environmental, Public Health Priorities

KINGSTON, NY - Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger delivered her 2026 State of the County Address on Wednesday evening at the Rosendale Theatre, highlighting key County initiatives to improve affordability in housing, enhance mental health services, address environmental and public health hazards, and expand programs supporting local businesses, farms, and working families. In her address, the County Executive pointedly raised concerns about the conduct of federal immigration enforcement, tariffs, and federal spending cuts, and how these policies affect Ulster County.  

“The State of the County is strong, despite these unsteady times nationally, and we remain focused on what our residents need — housing that’s affordable, communities that are safe, a healthy environment and local economy, and services that support our residents’ well-being,” said Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger.

Among the initiatives highlighted in the address:

• Ensuring Accountability and Public Safety: County Executive Metzger announced that she will work with the Legislature, Sheriff, and District Attorney to establish a Countywide standard for all law enforcement operating in Ulster County — including federal agencies such as ICE. This sets a standard that officers remain unmasked, and that they display a visible badge with their name and ID number, consistent with practices already followed by local and County law enforcement.
  
  
• Property Taxes:
• • County Executive Metzger and the Legislature have kept property taxes flat, despite increased cost‑shifting from the federal government.
  • Proposed 10% Property Tax Exemption for Full‑Time Residents: County Executive Metzger announced that she is partnering with Senator Michelle Hinchey to introduce state legislation piloting a 10% property tax exemption for full‑time residents, shifting more responsibility to second‑home owners and helping stabilize housing costs for working families.
    
    

• Leading by example: County Executive Metzger negotiated new contracts with five unions that raised wages across the board this year, with additional increases for the lowest‑paid workers. For non‑union staff, the County Executive created the first-ever pay plan, establishing fair wages and clear pathways for advancement. The County Executive also created the County’s own 12-week Paid Family Leave Plan in 2025, allowing employees to bond with a newborn or adopted child without financial hardship.
  
  

• Housing: With County government support, Ulster County is adding close to 700 affordable homes -  
• • Three major affordable housing developments were completed this past year — Silver Gardens in Highland and Harmony Hall in New Paltz for seniors, and Golden Hill in Kingston for a mix of seniors and families.
  • The County’s Housing Action Fund, created in 2023, has supported 11 affordable housing projects for rent and home ownership around the County.
  • The Kingston Planning Board on Tuesday approved plans for the County’s first affordable housing cooperative on the County–owned Elizabeth Street property in Kingston.
  • The former Quality Inn will open as Willow Landing before the end of the year, providing permanent supportive housing for homeless individuals and families. This RUPCO project, supported by the County, will offer wraparound services including mental health care, job training, childcare, transportation, and community amenities like a commissary kitchen and indoor pool.
  • The County is investing $2 million to create small, community‑based shelters operated by nonprofit partners, offering stability and dignity while families transition to permanent housing. Additionally, the County is excited to partner with Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha and Senator Hinchey on a social housing pilot that they've proposed in the state budget.
    
    

• Transportation
• • Beginning March 1, UCAT will launch new Sunday service in Kingston, connecting Stony Run, Kingston Plaza, Midtown, the Rondout, and points in between.
  • Later this year, the County plans to roll out the first phase of the Route Optimization Plan, expanding service to Pine Hill and Port Ewen.
  • UCAT has increased paratransit service by over 50% to meet the demand for transportation to medical appointments, and will use federal funding to purchase two small buses and hire dedicated drivers for the Office for the Aging and Veterans Services Agency.
    
    

• Mobility for All
• • Snow Angels Program: A new volunteer initiative pairing high school students and community members with elderly or disabled neighbors to clear steps and walkways of snow and ensure safe mobility during winter.
  • Through the ThinkDIFFERENTLY Ulster County initiative, the County will conduct a full accessibility self‑evaluation of government operations this year to identify and begin to correct barriers to accessing programs, services, and facilities.
  • In addition, the County plans to launch a new voluntary accessibility certification program for businesses, recognizing establishments that meet accessibility and sensory‑friendly standards.
    
    
• Economic Development and Local Business Support
• • Two New Revolving Loan Funds to expand business access to low-cost capital
  • • A refreshed County loan fund will provide:

• • • A new Agricultural Revolving Loan Fund, administered in partnership with the Hudson Valley AgriBusiness Development Corporation, to support farm viability, climate resilience, and efficient energy and water use.
  • Main Street Forward: A $2 million investment to support strategic corridor planning and revitalization in downtowns and hamlets across the County. The program will support municipalities in developing corridor plans, and provide funding for projects that attract investment while preserving each community's unique character.
  • iPark: With the West Campus in default by National Resources, the County is pursuing legal steps to regain ownership and market the property for economic development aligned with County priorities.
  • • Additionally, the County is in active discussions with a local food and beverage company to locate a production facility on a County-owned property on the East Campus of the former IBM site.
    • The County is also exploring a cold storage facility to support local farms — identified as a top agricultural need.
  • Economic Futures Summit: This year, the County will convene an Economic Futures Summit to strengthen partnerships among educational institutions, workforce organizations, and employers in key sectors.
  • Reimagining SUNY Ulster: A joint County-College committee has been initiated by the County Executive to advise on investments in line with the space needs of today, and help ensure SUNY Ulster remains a vital community asset well into the future.
    
    
• Arts and Culture: Following completion of the County’s first Arts & Culture Master Plan, a new Arts & Culture Advisory Council is guiding implementation under County Arts, Culture, and Open Spaces Director Sarah Kramer‑Harrison.
• • 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution: County departments will coordinate Countywide programming with schools, museums, and cultural organizations.
  • 2026 World Cup: The County will publish a map of businesses hosting international‑themed events and will host a Countywide Youth Soccer Tournament in New Paltz this spring.
  • Ukrainian Sister Community: The County signed a Sister Community Agreement with the Chernivtsi Region in 2025, and has launched joint programming, beginning with a virtual agricultural forum that brought together farmers and agricultural experts from both countries.

• Protecting the Environment and Public Health
• • Climate Leadership - County Executive Metzger recently issued an Executive Order reaffirming Ulster County’s commitment to New York’s Climate Act and creating two new bodies to move the County’s work forward.
  • • A new Task Force will oversee the County’s recertification as a Silver-level Climate Smart Community; and a new Local Government Climate Action Partnership — a subcommittee of Ulster County Environmental Management Council — will support the climate work of local governments.
    • The County has reduced government emissions by nearly 30% since 2012 and will continue working toward an additional 55% reduction by 2050. Ongoing investments include rooftop solar, heat pumps, electric buses, fleet electrification, and major efficiency upgrades. Improved energy management in buildings has saved taxpayers more than half a million dollars. 
  • Air Quality and Water Protection
  • • In partnership with Bard College and JustAir, Ulster County will launch the first Countywide real‑time air quality monitoring system in New York State this spring.
    • The Department of Health will pilot a PFAS testing and mitigation program for private wells, offering free testing and grants for remediation.
  • Lead Poisoning Prevention - With a $4 million HUD grant, the County will inspect high‑risk rental units and fund remediation to protect children from lead exposure.
  • Community Health - Under Public Health Director Dr. Eve Walter, the County completed a model Community Health Assessment, providing accessible, interactive data by ZIP code, race, ethnicity, and gender to better target public health solutions.
  • Strengthening EMS - Ulster County developed the first Countywide EMS plan in New York State in 2025, investing $4.7 million to expand coverage and improve response times. Following Governor Hochul’s designation of EMS as an essential service, other counties are now looking to Ulster County’s plan as a model.
  • Transforming Mental Health Care
  • • In January, the County opened a 24/7 Crisis Support Center in partnership with People USA at the Ulster County Center for Well‑Being, ensuring compassionate, immediate care for residents of all ages.
    • Earlier this month, the County opened Children’s Way Counseling Center, also at the Center for Well-Being,  providing mental health services for children as young as five and their families, in partnership with the Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie.

The evening’s program included a ceremonial Posting of the Colors by the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard, the Pledge of Allegiance delivered by Victor Cueva of the Ulster Immigrant Defense Network, an invocation by Rabbi Jack Sherratt of Congregation Emanuel, and a poem by Ulster County Poet Laureate Mike Jurkovic. The Rosendale Improvement Association Brass Band and Social Club played as guests arrived. 

Recordings of the event will be available linked from the Ulster County Government and Executive’s Facebook pages and will be posted on the Ulster County Government website and Ulster County Executive YouTube channel.

The County Executive's address was offered in real-time Spanish language translation and American Sign Language interpretation, a practice that started in 2023 with County Executive Metzger’s first State of the County address.

A full transcript of the County Executive’s 2026 State of the County Address is attached — in English and in Spanish.