Orange County's Health Department faces staffing challenges amid surging real estate applications

The Orange County Personnel and Compensation Meeting held on May 19, 2025, focused on addressing staffing challenges within the county's health department, particularly in relation to the increasing volume of real estate applications and inspections.

The meeting began with discussions on the current staffing levels and the impact of overtime on the department's ability to manage workload effectively. A representative highlighted that over the past few years, there has been a significant increase in applications, with a jump of over a hundred applications in just one year. In response to this surge, the county executive's office had previously approved 50 hours of overtime per week. However, the representative noted that this approach is becoming unsustainable as the demand continues to rise.

Legislators expressed their awareness of the ongoing delays in processing applications, which have been a common concern among constituents. The representative emphasized that the county is one of the fastest-growing in New York State, leading to an ongoing need for housing and related services. This growth is expected to persist, further straining the current resources.

The conversation also touched on the nature of the work performed by the health department's engineers. While most tasks are office-based, there are essential site visits required for inspections of over 500 water systems in the county. These visits are crucial for ensuring compliance and addressing issues such as water main breaks. The engineers also conduct soil tests for various projects, including subdivisions and septic systems, which necessitate on-site evaluations.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the pressing need for additional staffing to manage the increasing workload effectively. The discussions highlighted the challenges faced by the health department and the importance of addressing these issues to maintain service levels in the face of ongoing growth in Orange County. Further actions and follow-ups are expected as the county seeks to resolve these staffing and operational challenges.