State of Emergency Declaration

A State of Emergency is hereby declared in the County of Sullivan effective at 1:00PM on May 18, 2023.

This State of Emergency has been declared due to the fact that the County of Sullivan is currently experiencing a severe housing crisis. The County of Sullivan’s housing stock significantly limits its ability to provide temporary, permanent and emergency housing for the citizens of Sullivan County and the clients of Sullivan County’s local social services district. The County of Sullivan is not capable of receiving clients from other local services districts, including New York City, and providing housing to those individuals.

The imminent arrival of New York City’s local social services district’s clients to the County of Sullivan for the purpose of seeking housing has created this State of Emergency and this situation threatens the public health and the public safety.

This State of Emergency will remain in effect for thirty (30) days or until rescinded by a subsequent order.

As the Chief Executive of the County of Sullivan, I, Joshua A. Potosek, exercise the authority given me under Section 24 of the New York State Executive Law, to preserve the public health and safety and hereby render all required and available assistance vital to the security, well-being, and health of the citizens of this Municipality.

I hereby direct all departments and agencies of the County of Sullivan to take whatever steps necessary to protect life, health, and property, public infrastructure, and provide such emergency assistance deemed necessary.

Date: May 18, 2023
_________________________________
Joshua A. Potosek, M.B.A.
Manager, County of Sullivan

Local State of Emergency Order

On May 18, 2023, the Sullivan County Manager proclaimed a State of Emergency for the County of Sullivan because its public safety is at risk due to the imminent danger of the number of social services clients from of another county entering Sullivan County.

This State of Emergency will remain in effect for five (5) days or until rescinded by a subsequent order. The County Manager exercises the authority given under Section 24 of the New York State Executive Law, to preserve the public health and safety and hereby render all required and available assistance vital to the security, well-being, and health of the citizens of this municipality. The County Manager hereby directs all departments to take steps necessary to protect life, health, and property, public infrastructure, and provide such emergency assistance deemed necessary.

Accordingly, it is hereby ordered:

Section 1. Prohibition that burdens the County of Sullivan:

A. No municipality may make contracts with persons, businesses, or entities within the County of Sullivan to house social services clients from another county for any length of time without the express consent of the County Manager.

B. No hotel, motel, or owner of a multiple dwelling in the County of Sullivan is permitted to contract with another municipality other than the County of Sullivan for the purpose of providing housing to social services clients from another county without a license from the County of Sullivan.

Section 2. Penalties:

A. The Sullivan County Sheriff is authorized to issue appearance tickets for any violation of this Order for the penalty prescribe by New York State Executive Law § 24(5).

Section 3. Notification:

A. Notification to persons, businesses, and entities affected by this Order shall be provided by publication the official newspaper of the County of Sullivan Legislature as well as publication by the Sullivan County Communications Director.

Date: May 18, 2023
_________________________________
Joshua A. Potosek, M.B.A.
Manager, County of Sullivan