Neuhaus, a Republican, says the county’s property tax rate is at its lowest in more than 50 years, and the county’s debt is at its lowest in 12 years. Speaking at the county Emergency Services Center in Goshen, Neuhaus credits that for rising sales tax revenue — something he warns could be impacted by the Trump Administration’s tariffs, and fears of a recession.
Furthermore, Neuhaus warns some of the county’s programs and nonprofits could lose funding, as the federal government works to cut spending nationwide. He urges residents not to worry, however. He says Orange County has a fund balance of more than $180 million, and he’s met with nonprofits in recent weeks to consider if the county can plug any potential gaps.
"Depending on what they offer the county, we will do what we can to make sure that they’re OK, and to also make sure that the services they provide the community are still being given," says Neuhaus. "Whether it’s the food bank, whether it’s Fearless, whether it’s all the other nonprofits we deal with.”
For the past year, Neuhaus says his biggest focuses have been public safety and open space. The county cut the ribbon on a new $23 million medical examiner’s office last year near the Emergency Services Center. It also drew fire departments from across the state to battle the Jennings Creek Fire by Greenwood Lake. A state parks employee was killed, and Neuhaus says more than 5,000 acres were burned.
Neuhaus also praised the Sheriff’s Office and its drug task force, which he says dismantled the largest illegal gun trafficking ring in county history last year. More than 20 people were arrested.
Neuhaus says his biggest fear as county executive is the potential for a mass shooting. He says the county now has more than 60 security deputies in 27 school buildings across the county. He says they’re using American Rescue Plan Act funds to boost cell signal at some Orange County schools, and digitally scanning others to update building maps for first responders.
He also says 10 school districts have signed up for the county’s Bus Patrol Stop Arm Program, with another six districts expected to join in May. The program equips school buses with cameras and tickets drivers who fail to stop for buses dropping off students. Neuhaus says the program has caught more than 15,000 violations so far.
“These are your kids and grandkids [at risk]," says Neuhaus. "I don’t think people are maliciously on a tirade trying to run over people — they’re just not paying attention. You know, distracted drivers. So, when you get this ticket in the mail, 98 percent of them don’t repeat it. And that, to me, is worth it.”
Orange County worked closely with groups like the Open Space Institute and the Orange County Land Trust to preserve thousands of acres of land last year, including Sugar Loaf Mountain in Chester , which Neuhaus says the county will soon open as a public park.
“People are proud and happy that it’s been saved," he notes. "Someone stopped me yesterday at the Goshen Diner, asking me, ‘When can we use it?’ We’re opening it up now. We’re starting to open up trails and make sure that they stay where they need to and don’t intrude on people’s private property. But we’re going to do this all over the county…This is important stuff, because they’re not making more open space, and as you know, it’s at significant threat for development.”
Other projects Neuhaus is working on: he still wants to turn the abandoned Camp LaGuardia site into a park, instead of the various proposals it has received for housing, hotels, and “glamping” over the years. He says the county also plans to buy and renovate the old Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center, as it works to boost its local film industry.
Neuhaus says Orange County is homing in on film and technology companies, in hopes it can convince them to invest locally. He plans to host business leaders from Taiwan in the coming weeks.
“They need to get a lot of their assets out of there. They’re going to invest heavily in our country," says Neuhaus. "I don’t care what Joe Biden or Donald Trump said: Joe Biden had the CHIPS Act, Trump says he doesn’t like the CHIP Act. He’s gonna be forced to do his own CHIPS Act, put his own stamp on it. I don’t care: it’s a big industry, and it’s not going anywhere but here in the United States.”
