Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger outlined an agenda focused on housing, affordability, public safety, and environmental and public health priorities during her 2026 State of the County address on Feb. 18, while also raising concerns about federal policies and their impact on local communities.
Speaking to a packed audience at the Rosendale Theatre, Metzger said the county remains focused on meeting residents’ needs despite what she described as “unsteady times nationally,” pointing to federal immigration enforcement, tariffs, and spending cuts as areas of concern.
“The State of the County is strong, despite these unsteady times nationally,” Metzger said. “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.”
Housing was a central focus of the address, with Metzger highlighting county-backed efforts expected to add close to 700 affordable homes. Projects completed over the past year include developments in Highland, New Paltz, and Kingston, with additional projects in progress, including an affordable housing cooperative planned for a county-owned property in Kingston and supportive housing at the former Quality Inn, expected to open as Willow Landing.
Shawangunk Journal editor Chris Rowley, who discussed the address with Radio Catskill’s Patricio Robayo, said Metzger’s emphasis on housing reflects a continued priority for the administration.
“There are a couple of things that jump out,” Rowley said. “But for a lot of people, everyone knows that Metzger is a hawk on getting more housing.”
While Rowley said the number of new units is significant, he noted the broader need remains.
“That’s a reasonable number,” he said. “Obviously we could use more, but that’s a reasonable number.”
Metzger also outlined efforts to address homelessness, including a $2 million investment to create small, community-based shelters operated by nonprofit partners to support families transitioning to permanent housing. The county is also pursuing a proposed social housing pilot with Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha and State Sen. Michelle Hinchey as part of the state budget.
Rowley said the issue of housing instability has far-reaching consequences.
“These families have been priced out of their rental apartments or they’ve lost their house, and they are now adrift,” he said. “That’s a terrible thing. It’s destabilizing for kids.”
“Homeless children are not going to do well in school,” Rowley added. “They may be in one place this week and in Kingston the next. Which school are they going to?”
Among the proposals drawing attention is a plan to create a 10% property tax exemption for full-time Ulster County residents. Metzger said she is working with Hinchey on legislation to pilot the exemption, which would shift more of the tax burden onto second-home owners and help stabilize housing costs for working families.
Rowley said the proposal is likely to generate mixed reactions.
“That is guaranteed to be popular with one group and not with another,” he said. “But that’s often the way it is with tax policy.”
He added that similar ideas could gain traction in other counties facing rising costs.
“Anything that offers a county a little bit more income… they’ll snatch at it,” Rowley said.
Metzger also highlighted efforts to maintain affordability more broadly, noting that county officials have kept property taxes flat despite rising costs. She pointed to new labor agreements with five unions that raised wages, along with the creation of the county’s first pay plan for non-union employees and a 12-week paid family leave program introduced in 2025.
Public safety was another focus of the address. Metzger said she will work with the Legislature, Sheriff, and District Attorney to establish a countywide standard for law enforcement operating in Ulster County, including federal agencies, requiring officers to be unmasked and display visible identification.
In transportation, Metzger announced that UCAT will launch new Sunday bus service in Kingston beginning March 1, connecting several parts of the city. The county also plans to expand service later this year and has increased paratransit service to meet demand for medical transportation, particularly for seniors and veterans.
The address also highlighted new initiatives aimed at improving mobility and accessibility, including a “Snow Angels” volunteer program to assist elderly and disabled residents during winter weather, and a countywide accessibility evaluation under the ThinkDIFFERENTLY initiative. The county also plans to launch a voluntary accessibility certification program for businesses.
Economic development efforts outlined in the speech include the creation of new revolving loan funds to support small businesses and farms, as well as a $2 million Main Street Forward program to support downtown revitalization projects. Metzger also said the county is pursuing the redevelopment of the former IBM site in Ulster and exploring opportunities such as a food and beverage production facility and cold storage to support local agriculture.
The county is also planning an Economic Futures Summit to strengthen partnerships between employers, educators, and workforce organizations, and has launched a joint committee to guide future investments at SUNY Ulster.
Metzger highlighted cultural initiatives as well, including implementation of the county’s first Arts and Culture Master Plan, programming tied to the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, and plans for a countywide youth soccer tournament connected to the 2026 World Cup. The county has also entered into a sister community agreement with the Chernivtsi region of Ukraine.
On environmental and public health issues, Metzger said the county is continuing efforts to reduce emissions, with a goal of cutting greenhouse gases by 55% by 2050. The county has already reduced emissions by nearly 30% since 2012, she said, through investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and fleet electrification.
New initiatives include a countywide real-time air quality monitoring system, developed in partnership with Bard College and JustAir, and a program to test private wells for PFAS contamination and fund remediation. The county is also using a $4 million federal grant to address lead exposure in housing.
In emergency services, Metzger pointed to the county’s investment of $4.7 million to strengthen emergency medical services and expand coverage. Ulster County developed its first countywide EMS plan in 2025, which she said is now being looked to as a model by other counties.
The county has also expanded mental health services, opening a 24/7 Crisis Support Center and a new counseling center for children and families at the Ulster County Center for Well-Being.
Rowley said the address included a wide range of initiatives, but their impact will depend on how they are implemented.
“There’s a lot here,” he said. “We’ll see how the legislature handles all that.”
Photo by: Ulster County