Orange County residents were asked to assess how important a variety of issues were for their community. The topics spanned from health care to taxes, from the local economy to public education, along with a host of other community services. Using a scale of 0 to 10 with 10 being a top priority and 0 being not a priority at all, residents evaluated the amount of focus they felt should be placed in each area.
In 2002, keeping businesses in the area was the highest priority for Orange County residents. This issue continues to be a major priority but now the number one concern in the county is making health care more affordable. Lowering health care costs was the number four issue five years ago.
As with residents of other parts of the Mid-Hudson Valley, Orange County residents are considerably more concerned about the tax burden than they were just five years ago. Reducing taxes is the number two concern in Orange County. Five years ago, this issue ranked tenth.
Residents of Orange County are concerned about a host of other issues, as well: public schools, services for senior citizens, the accessibility of health insurance, community safety, and jobs. The gap between the top issue and the eighth most important priority is just three-tenths of a point.
Orange County is one of only two counties where providing services for senior citizens is in the top tier of priorities.
