July 14, 2026 Legislative Session

The Ulster County Legislature held its regular session on July 14, 2026, featuring extensive public hearings and discussions primarily focused on a proposed local law to authorize a resident income tax surcharge on high-income residents (Resolution 295). The legislature debated the home rule request to seek state approval for this tax, intended to address federal funding cuts impacting county services such as SNAP and Medicaid. The proposal sparked significant public input both in support and opposition, with concerns about economic impact, fairness, and the legislative process. After deliberation, the resolution passed 15 to 8, initiating the process to explore this new revenue option. Additionally, the legislature approved several procurement-related actions, including capital improvement projects such as the Olster County pool upgrades with an increased budget from $5 million to $11 million, and multiple contracts for public works totaling millions of dollars. Amendments to legislative rules regarding petition discharge thresholds were also discussed and adopted. The meeting concluded with acknowledgments of community service and announcements of upcoming sessions.