Referred to:  The Economic Development, Tourism, Housing, Planning and Transit Committee (Chairman Woltman and Legislators Archer, Delaune, Maio, James Maloney, Joseph Maloney, and Rodriguez), and The Ways and Means Committee (Chairwoman Archer and Legislators Gerentine, Maio, James Maloney, Joseph Maloney, Petit, and Rodriguez)

Legislator Joseph Maloney offers the following:

WHEREAS, chamber of commerce organizations are private networking institutions made up of private businesses that lobby and network for the business community; and

WHEREAS, it is appropriate for the Economic Development and Tourism Departments to use County funds for membership fees to such organizations; and

WHEREAS, there is little value in any other department within Ulster County government purchasing chamber of commerce memberships; and

WHEREAS, memberships to various chamber of commerce organizations have been historically paid for by various County departments using taxpayer funds; and

WHEREAS, limiting memberships to these organizations is in the best interest of the Ulster County taxpayers; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, effective January 1, 2020, memberships to any chamber of commerce organizations paid for with Ulster County funds shall be prohibited, with the exception of the Department of Tourism and the Office of Economic Development, where memberships to such organizations shall be allowable within budget appropriations; and, be it further

RESOLVED, the nothing shall preclude an Ulster County Elected Official from paying membership fees to a Chamber of Commerce organization with his or her personal funds,  

and move its adoption.

ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:

AYES:                        NOES:    

Passed Committee: Economic Development, Tourism, Housing, Planning and Transit on _____________.

Passed Committee: Ways and Means on _____________.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

$1,000.00- APPROXIMATE YEARLY SAVINGS IN COUNTY DOLLARS