“During my tenure as County Executive, Ulster County has consistently been recognized for its strong financial stewardship — earning a AA bond rating from S&P and being named one of the most fiscally sound counties by the New York State Comptroller’s Office, all while consistently keeping taxes flat and increasing vital services. In 2020, our team proactively identified an erroneous wire transfer to the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance as a duplicate payment of approximately $1 million in spring 2020, which was identified by the Finance Department within days. This issue was swiftly resolved, money was returned with interest, and there was no harm to Ulster County taxpayers. I want to thank the Ulster County Comptroller’s office for verifying the error was quickly corrected and there was no loss to the taxpayers, and I am fully confident in the findings,” Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan said.

“The Comptroller’s Office and Executive’s Office separately reviewed the transactions associated with the allegation and the related documentation and reached the same conclusion. We have determined that there was an overpayment of taxes to the State of New York, that when identified was rectified, and eventually refunded to the County with interest. There was no financial loss to the taxpayers because of the error,” Ulster County Comptroller March Gallagher said.

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