Orange County Legislature approves $2.4M fire‑training building and a package of jail and public‑safety upgrades

Orange County lawmakers on Thursday authorized a package of capital projects that includes a $2.4 million Fire Training Technical Rescue Building and a series of equipment and security upgrades at the county jail and sheriff's facilities.

The Legislature approved a bond resolution to build the Fire Training Technical Rescue Building in the Town of Goshen, which sponsors said will provide a training site and equipment storage for a 150‑member volunteer technical rescue team that responds countywide. Lawmakers also approved separate bond resolutions to replace worn security systems and equipment at the county jail, buy body‑worn cameras and supporting systems, acquire kitchen equipment and washers/dryers, install perimeter lighting and cameras, and purchase a small steel pole barn for the sheriff's department.

Supporters said the projects address worn or outdated infrastructure and supply critical equipment for public safety. "This building is going to house a specialized team ... They do high angle rope rescue, trench rescue, and they do it in support of all the local volunteer fire departments," Legislator Kevin Hines told colleagues before the vote. Legislators repeatedly described many of the jail items as replacement or end‑of‑life needs.

Roll calls recorded unanimous support on the major measures. The Fire Training Technical Rescue Building bond passed on a roll call of 17 ayes. Separate roll‑call votes showed 17 ayes for each of the listed jail and sheriff bond resolutions authorizing issuances ranging from $50,000 for a pole barn to $1.2 million for body cameras and related equipment. Several motions were called as two‑thirds bond resolutions per the county practice for capital borrowing.

The body framed the spending as maintenance and public‑safety investment rather than service expansions. "These are just things that need to be replaced ... because they've been worn out," Majority Leader Ben said during discussion of jail security upgrades.

The bond package also included a $1.5 million fleet replacement authorization for heavy Department of Public Works equipment; that resolution anticipated $1.0 million from the State of New York and authorized $500,000 in county borrowing to finance the balance, and passed by roll call vote.

No amendments or conditions were recorded in the meeting minutes. The resolutions set appropriation amounts and authorized the county to issue bonds; implementation details such as procurement timelines, vendor selection, and project schedules were not discussed during the legislative session.

Lawmakers did not attach additional reporting requirements to the votes during the meeting. The projects now proceed to the administrative steps required by county finance and procurement.

The county did not announce anticipated completion dates during the meeting; project timelines will be determined during design and procurement phases.