County Executive and Legislature Form The Ulster County Recovery and Resilience Working Group

Posted May 25, 2021

The working group will establish high level priorities and goals to best utilize forthcoming federal relief funds, ensuring the County emerges from the pandemic stronger and more equitable

The Working Group will engage with the public directly to help inform investment priorities, and anticipates a draft plan to be submitted to the Legislature for review and approval within 90 days 

KINGSTON, NY  - Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan and Ulster County Legislative Chairman Dave Donaldson announce the formation of the Ulster County Recovery and Resilience Working Group. The working group will establish high level priorities and goals to best utilize forthcoming federal relief funds, ensuring the County emerges from the pandemic stronger and more equitable.

“Ulster County is committed to leveraging these once-in-a-generation direct relief funds to ensure that we come out the pandemic stronger and more resilient than before,” said County Executive Pat Ryan. “In the coming weeks, we are looking forward to hearing from the public and working with the Legislature to establish a plan that will create a lasting impact on the lives of our residents.”   

"We are looking forward to having a healthy and open dialogue on how we can use these funds that will best impact our community," said Legislative Chairman Dave Donaldson. “Our goal is to do something for Ulster County that will have a direct positive impact for a longtime.”

In addition, public engagement sessions will be established to hear directly from the community on potential investments. The group anticipates a draft plan to be submitted to the Legislature for review and approval in 90 days.

The Recovery and Resilience Working Group will be made up of the following:

  • David B. Donaldson, Chairman of the Ulster County Legislature 

  • Kenneth J. Ronk, Jr., Minority Leader, Ulster County Legislature

  • Jonathan R. Heppner, Majority Leader, Ulster County Legislature

  • Evelyn Wright, Deputy County Executive

  • Burt Gulnick, Commissioner of Finance and Budget Director

  • Christopher Kelly, Deputy Budget Director 

On March 11, 2021 President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act providing significant funding to state and local governments. Ulster County expects to receive $34.44 million. Towns, cities, and villages within the county will also be receiving direct aid from this Act, estimated to be in excess of $25 million.

 

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