Public Hearing on the Proposed 2026 Budget & Proposed 2026 2031 Capital Program

The Ulster County Legislature held a public hearing on April 14, 2026, to discuss the proposed 2026 budget and the 2026-2031 capital program. No public speakers were initially signed up, but the hearing remained open for comments. A legislator raised concerns about the accessibility and transparency of the digital budget, noting difficulties in navigating and searching the document. The legislator also questioned several proposed salary increases within the budget, including raises for the budget office and county attorney, and expressed concerns about potential nepotism and lack of parity in departmental pay raises. Additionally, the legislator emphasized the importance of maintaining and enhancing the county's data and technology capabilities, especially in light of challenges with federal census data availability. The hearing concluded without further public comment and was adjourned by motion and vote.