POUGHKEEPSIE, NY … Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino presented her 2026 State of the County Address yesterday to residents, County legislators and other elected leaders as well as community business and nonprofit partners in the Legislative Chambers in Poughkeepsie. The County Executive outlined many of her strategic priorities including affordable housing, childcare, EMS service, older adult fraud prevention and more, while emphasizing fiscal responsibility to be ready for unforeseen challenges and ensure County Government continues to provide the high-quality essential services that residents depend on.
Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino said, “The state of Dutchess County is strong. We are working for our neighbors every day…modernizing government, strengthening essential services, and investing in people with a wide range of priorities from childcare to housing to EMS and more. We are acting with fiscal responsibility and leading with compassion, planning with purpose for the future but ready to meet the moment when the unexpected arises.”
Among the key accomplishments and initiatives highlighted:
Increased Housing Investment
- Over $14 million invested in the Dutchess County Housing Trust Fund, with $12.3 million already committed to create or preserve 370 affordable homes, with several projects under construction or beginning construction this year.
- Launching a new Own-and-Rent Duplex Program, enabling residents to purchase or construct two-family homes, live in one unit and rent the other to build long-term financial stability and add to rental availability.
- Expanded home-repair support for low- and moderate-income residents through the Owner Occupied Property Rehabilitation Program, and through partnership with Rebuilding Together, funding for critical repairs, including roof replacements and boiler upgrades, to keep homes safe and prevent further strain on housing inventory.
Strengthening Emergency Medical Services
- Ensuring an ambulance is available to respond to every call with the County’s supplemental EMS coverage, which launched last year and responded to nearly 3,000 calls and transporting more than 800 patients in 2025.
- Awarded more than $330,000 through the Fly Car Grant Program to local fire departments, rescue squads and ambulance corps to purchase life-saving equipment that allow EMTs to begin patient care before an ambulance arrives.
- Strengthening EMS workforce development with support for youth mentorship programs and certification and degree programs at Dutchess BOCES and Dutchess Community College.
- Launching HeartSafe 2.0, a $100,000 initiative that provides automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and emergency training to local youth sports leagues and recreation programs.
Expanding Childcare Access
- Selected as one of three counties statewide by Gov. Kathy Hochul to receive over $20 million in proposed state funding for a pilot program expanding affordable childcare for infants and toddlers.
- Enhancing childcare workforce development through DAY ONE Early Learning Community and continued partnerships with the Child Care Council of Dutchess and Putnam and the Mid Hudson Discovery Museum to support in home childcare providers.
Government Efficiency
- Advancing modernization efforts across County government through enhanced technology systems: Lean Six Sigma training for staff across multiple departments and streamlined interdepartmental operations to improve service delivery.
- Establishing an AI Committee to ensure new technologies are used responsibly, securely, and transparently.
- Partnering with Marist University to again host the Hudson Valley Artificial Intelligence Summit on April 9, bringing together leaders to discuss how AI can help employees work smarter and improve community services.
Addressing Homelessness
- Utilizing the New York State $13 million grant to replace the aging, temporary emergency housing shelter (“PODS”) with a permanent Housing Support Center at 26 Oakley Street in Poughkeepsie to expand the model of comprehensive case management, mental health support, and substance use services that has helped nearly 80 people move toward stability, independence, and permanent housing in the last 16 months.
- Partnering with local municipalities who want to establish homeless beds in their community through the implementation of a $200,00 grant that the Legislature added to the 2026 budget.
Retaining and Supporting County Workforce
- Nearing completion of a multi year contract with the County’s largest employee union, the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA), that includes fair cost-of-living increases to all CSEA employees, with the largest percentage increases going to those who earn the least.
- Utilizing tools to recruit and retain employees including New York State’s Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide (HELPS) program and targeted outreach for opportunities such as the CDL training program in Public Works.
Caring for Older Adults and Veterans
- Protecting older adults with the launch of an Elder Justice Task Force, in partnership with the Dutchess County Sheriff’s and District Attorney’ Office, that will expand education, strengthen investigations into suspected fraud, and ensure that those who target seniors are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
- Continued expansion of the “Friendly Calls” program to reduce the isolation that often makes older adults vulnerable to fraud.
- Providing greater service accessibility for seniors and veterans through mobile outreach through the Office for Aging’s Ambassador and the Office of Veterans Affairs’ “Operation: Mobile Outreach” programs, connecting with seniors and veterans in their local communities for direct one-and-one assistance.
Full text and video of County Executive Serino’s 2026 State of the County Address is available on Dutchess County’s website, dutchessny.gov/2026SOTC.
