July 9, 2026 Ways & Means

The Ulster County Legislature's Ways & Means Committee met on July 9, 2026, addressing a range of procurement and budget-related matters. Key procurement discussions included approval of contract amendments and new contracts for various county departments such as the Sheriff, Public Works, and Social Services. Notably, the committee approved a $205,238 contract amendment with New York Communications Company and a $1.54 million contract amendment with New York State Technology Enterprise Corporation. The committee also authorized capital projects including a $6.6 million bond for the Ulster County pool upgrade, with $554,500 allocated from the decarbonization fund, and a cloud-based fuel management system upgrade for the Department of Public Works. Additionally, the committee approved intermunicipal agreements for public safety radio tower easements and overflow decedent storage. Budget amendments were made to accept various state and federal grants, including funds for immunization action plans and criminal justice response programs. The committee discussed a home rule request to impose a resident income tax surcharge on high-income residents, which passed 4-3 after debate on the need for further analysis and public engagement. A motion to postpone the purchase of highway salt was withdrawn after clarifications on supply needs and contract timing. The meeting also included a financial report highlighting sales tax revenue growth and concerns about fund management. Overall, the meeting focused heavily on contract approvals, capital project funding, and budget amendments impacting county operations and services.