County Executive Continues With Innovative Budgets That Protect Ulster County Taxpayers - This Year the 2015 Budget Ensures More Services than Ever Before, Especially For Those Most In Need - And An Unprecedented $10 Million Investment to Upgrade County Roads and Bridges

Kingston, NY – Today, County Executive Mike Hein delivered the Executive Budget for 2015 at a Department of Public Works Highway garage on Hurley Avenue in Kingston to highlight an unprecedented $10 million investment to restore and improve the County’s aging road and bridge infrastructure.  This year’s budget also provides a 1% property tax cut for Ulster County residents and recommends the establishment of a Tax Stabilization Reserve Fund to protect taxpayers now and in the future. The County Executive highlighted a New York State Comptroller’s Fiscal Stress Report that listed Ulster County as the #1 county in the region for fiscal stability. 

Initiatives of note are:  funding for enhanced services for domestic violence prevention, senior services, Veteran services and children services, as well as warming centers for those in need on our coldest winter nights.  The Budget also provides $120,000 to SUNY Ulster, virtually guaranteeing no tuition increase next year.

The 2015 Executive Budget also includes such major highlights as:

• A 1%  reduction in the property tax levy in 2015;
• A $1.67 million reduction in spending while protecting essential services;
• Establishment of a Tax Stabilization Reserve fund to protect taxpayers now and in the future;
• Establishment of an Infrastructure Investment Program to address $10 million in critical road and bridge improvements in 2015, known as “Building A Better Ulster County”;
• Funding for a job creation program to enhance the County’s vibrant workforce – $500,000 for a new “Career Ladder” pilot program and a recommended Apprenticeship Plan to provide opportunities for the next generation of high-skilled laborers;
• A proposal for a three year takeover of municipal costs related to the State mandated  Help America Vote Act (HAVA).

“My Administration’s primary objective is to deliver on my commitment to be both fiscally responsible and socially responsible by protecting the taxpayers of our great County, and we continue to accomplish that in this budget by providing a property tax cut while also providing enhanced funding for services for our residents most in need.  By putting a plan in place to shield taxpayers from unforeseen increases in county costs in the future, such as unfunded State mandates or natural disasters, while also taking multiple steps to help create living wage jobs and increase education and training opportunities for all, we continue with the tradition of innovative budgets that deliver results,” said County Executive Hein.  “I am pleased to announce that this year’s budget incorporates a $1.67 million reduction in spending while simultaneously protecting essential services for our citizens.  This budget also provides significant investments in our County’s infrastructure to address the issue of aging roads and bridges, as well as funding for job creation programs and improving access to educational opportunities.”

“It is so important to invest in Ulster County, its infrastructure, our people, and our future, all while protecting taxpayers” continued County Executive Hein.  “The County has seen a $25.5 million reduction in spending over the past two years while providing more essential services than ever before.  We continue to deliver on the promise of the Ulster County Charter by reforming government, increasing accountability and improving transparency.  By providing opportunities for job training and apprenticeships, it will not only benefit individuals and families, but the County as a whole.  The Career Ladder Program and the Apprenticeship Plan will help people obtain the skills they need to enter the workforce and succeed.”

“Building a Better Ulster County” Program

The 2015 Executive Budget funds the Infrastructure Investment Program to begin addressing the looming national crisis of an aging road and bridge infrastructure at the local level.  This program will restore and improve the County’s aging infrastructure and will be in addition to the County’s core capital program.

 Improving Access to the American Dream

1).  The 2015 Executive Budget builds on the County’s actions in 2014 and provides funding to ensure that tuition will not increase at the Ulster County Community College in 2015.

2).  To stimulate the County’s job market while ensuring our neediest residents are actively engaged and properly trained to compete in the employment market, the 2015 Budget provides funding for job creation programs:

• Career Ladder Program – This pilot program will be funded with $500,000 to assist current public assistance recipients in finding full-time, secure jobs with a career ladder for advancement by partnering them with a local business in the areas such as manufacturing, hospitality and the healthcare field.

• Apprenticeship Plan – In order to promote apprenticeship training in Ulster County, the County would require contractors repairing or constructing bridges in excess of $500,000 to have approved apprenticeship programs. 

Comprehensive Taxpayer Protection Plan

1).  Establishment of a Tax Stabilization Reserve Fund proposes a multi-year tax stabilization plan to protect county taxpayers from unforeseen increases in costs such as additional unfunded State mandates, a delay in the county’s sales tax legislation or natural disasters.

2).  The 2015 Executive Budget reduces the Property Tax Levy by $787,304 or one percent from 2014, while restoring the County fund balance to levels recommended by the State Comptroller.

3).   In order to help reduce the local tax burden placed on taxpayers from unfunded State Mandates, a three year takeover of municipal costs related to the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) will provide towns another opportunity to reduce taxes.  This is in addition to the $7 million provided to the Towns and City of Kingston through Safety Net relief.

Department Operations

The 2015 Executive Budget recommends a 2% increase for County union employees represented by the Civil Service Employee Association (CSEA), the New York State Teachers Union (NYSUT) and non-union represented employees for 2015 and 2016.  Upon ratification, this two year agreement, coupled with the current agreement with the correction workers, would mean that 95% of County union employees will have the security of a union contract as the County continues to provide high-quality services to County residents.

Jeanette Provenzano, Ulster County Legislator

“I applaud County Executive Hein’s 2015 Budget proposal, not only does it provide a 1% property tax cut in 2015 while delivering relief to Ulster County taxpayers in the future, it provides access to more services than ever before to people most in need in our community,” said Ulster County Legislator Jeanette Provenzano. 

 Donald Gregorius, Ulster County Legislator

“As the Democratic Majority Leader, I am proud to see the County Executive continue with a progressive agenda that is also financially responsible,” said Ulster County Legislator Donald Gregorius.

 Dr. Donald C. Katt, President of SUNY Ulster

“County Executive Hein appreciates the importance of education and I am pleased that the 2015 Budget will help our college students avoid any tuition increases next year,” said Dr. Donald C. Katt, President of SUNY Ulster.

 Jonathan Drapkin, President & CEO of Pattern for Progress

“County Executive Hein is on the leading edge of addressing a major national issue by planning and investing in the infrastructure of Ulster County,” said Jonathan Drapkin, President & CEO of Pattern for Progress. “There is an ever-increasing concern over the conditions of bridges and
roads in the Hudson Valley, Pattern's recent research showed there is a glaring need for better planning.  Infrastructure should be viewed as a public asset. However, many municipalities do not and have not done capital improvement planning. I commend Executive Hein for his forward planning which will have a positive effect on the County for years to come.”

 Matt Stoddard, Ironworkers Local Union #417

“Apprenticeships are key to ensuring that workers have the skills, knowledge and training needed in a competitive economy,” said Matt Stoddard of Ironworkers Local Union #417.   “County Executive Hein’s Apprenticeship program will benefit both local residents and businesses alike.  I appreciate his initiative for this program and his willingness to invest in upgrading the County’s infrastructure.”

 Wendy Ricks, Esq., President of the Ulster County Staff Association, a New York State United Teachers Union (NYSUT) affiliate

Wendy Ricks, Esq., President of the Ulster County Staff Association, a New York State United Teachers Union (NYSUT) affiliate states that“All our members appreciate the County Executive working with us to ensure that union employees are appropriately compensated and have the security of a union contract.   This allows the County to continue to provide necessary services to its citizens.”

 Lisa Berger, Director of the Ulster County Office of Employment and Training

“I’d like to thank County Executive Hein for being at the forefront of developing an innovative workforce development strategy,” said Lisa Berger, Director of the Ulster County Employment and Training.  “His new Career Ladders Program will allow our citizens to attain the skills and training needed to join the workforce and progress along a career ladder that will lead to long-term success and self-sustainability.  Executive Hein realizes that the citizens of this County want to contribute to their families’ well-being and he has created a program that will allow them to fully participate in expanding our vibrant workforce.”

For 2015 Executive Budget Documents please visit http://ulstercountyny.gov/budget/.