November 5, 2025 Special Informational Meeting of the Legislature Budget Consultant Presentation

The Ulster County Legislature held a special informational meeting on November 5, 2025, featuring a budget consultant presentation focused on the review and analysis of the 2026 executive budget. The consultants from Capital Markets Advisers discussed key budget components including revenue sources such as sales tax, real property taxes, state and federal aid, and the new short-term rental tax. They highlighted concerns about the county's reliance on volatile revenue streams like sales tax and the increasing appropriation of fund balance, which is a one-time revenue source, to cover recurring expenses. The presentation also covered expenditure trends, staffing levels, debt management, and the capital improvement plan, noting the need for better oversight and realistic planning of capital projects. Legislators engaged with the consultants on benchmarking tax levy increases and fund balance usage compared to other counties, and discussed the potential for in-house management of capital projects rather than hiring consultants. The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn after addressing these budgetary and fiscal management issues.