May 15, 2025 Ways & Means Committee

The Ulster County Legislature's Ways & Means Committee met on May 15, 2025, to discuss several budgetary and procurement matters. A significant portion of the meeting focused on the proposed budget for the local college, highlighting a projected enrollment increase and associated personnel additions, as well as rising costs in benefits, utilities, and insurance. The college's tuition adjustments and state funding uncertainties were also discussed. The committee reviewed various contract approvals, including a contract amendment to pay a vendor for prior work under a grant, and debated the costs and effectiveness of tourism marketing contracts, particularly the production and distribution of the county's travel guide. Questions were raised about the total costs, advertising revenue offsets, and the return on investment of these tourism expenditures. Additionally, updates were provided on sales tax revenues, cannabis tax collections, and capital improvement projects, including pool renovations and the Government Operations Center construction. Several resolutions related to contracts and budget allocations were moved, seconded, and carried during the meeting.