Referred to:  The Ways and Means Committee (Chairman Gavaris and Legislators Archer, Bartels, Haynes, Maio, Parete, Ronk, and Walter)

Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, John Gavaris, and Deputy Chair Kenneth J. Ronk, Jr. offer the following:

WHEREAS, this Resolution has been submitted at the request of the County Executive on behalf of the Department of Finance; and

WHEREAS, the United States Department of Treasury has notified Ulster County that funding for the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) is available in the amount of $34,491,474.00; and

WHEREAS, the purpose of the ARPA is to support urgent COVID-19 response efforts to continue to decrease spread of the virus and bring the pandemic under control; and

WHEREAS, the ARPA further seeks to replace lost public sector revenue to strengthen support for vital public services and help retain jobs; and

WHEREAS, the ARPA also seeks to support immediate economic stabilization for households and businesses; and

WHEREAS, the ARPA seeks to address systemic public health and economic challenges that have contributed to the unequal impact of the pandemic; and

WHEREAS, the Ulster County Legislature and County Executive set up the Recovery and Resilience Working Group to solicit public input on use of the ARPA funds and to develop a plan to use the funds to ensure Ulster County emerges from the pandemic stronger and more equitable; and

WHEREAS, the Working Group has prepared the Ulster County Recovery and Resilience Plan, a set of program priorities and funding targets, in response to this input; and

WHEREAS, the Recovery and Resilience Plan and the ARPA funding represent a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make transformative investments in our County infrastructure, mental health and care service capacity, economic development, workforce, and community; and

WHEREAS, the Ulster County public and the federal government alike expect us to use the ARPA funds in ways that are effective, transparent, and accountable; and

WHEREAS, the program development and capital spending levels substantially increase our typical annual program and capital spending; and         

WHEREAS, opportunities are anticipated to seek and secure additional federal and state funds for program priorities identified in the Plan; and

WHEREAS, typical administration costs for major grants range at least eight to fifteen percent, while the Recovery and Resilience Plan targets five percent for administration, including the positions laid out below; and

WHEREAS, these positions will sunset when funding is no longer available, unless determined otherwise by the Ulster County Legislature; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the 2021 Ulster County Budget is hereby amended as follows:

CREATE

POSITION #            TITLE                                                                       AMOUNT

13101500                  Director of Recovery and Resilience                    $126,373.00*

(PL#)                          (Full-Time)

* Annual Salary

Annual Benefits $65,335

(Salary to Year End – 8//23/2021 $45,998)

(Benefits to Year End – 8/23/2021 $23,781)

13101505                  Recovery and Resilience Project Manager           $ 79,875.00*

(PL#)                          (Full-Time)

* Annual Salary

Annual Benefits $41,306

(Salary to Year End – 8/23/2021 $29,074)

(Benefits to Year End – 8/23/2021 $15,031)

3101510                    Ast, to Director of Recovery and Resilience        $ 56,564.00*

(PL#)                          (Full-Time)

* Annual Salary

Annual Benefits $29,244

(Salary to Year End – 8/23/2021 $20,588)

(Benefits to Year End – 8/23/2021 $10,644)

INCREASE                                       AMOUNT                            

AA-1310-1079-1300-1300             Regular Pay                                       $ 95,660.00

(App.#)

AA-1310-1076-8000-8000             Retirement                                         $ 15,956.00

(App.#)

AA-1310-1079-8010-8010             Social Security                                 $   7,318.00

(App. #)

AA-1310-1076-8020-8035             Health Insurance                              $ 26,182.00

(App. #)

AA-1310-1079-3400-3489             Federal Aid, ARPA                          $145,116.00

(Rev.#),

and be it further

RESOLVED, that if funding for these positions is eliminated, the Commissioner of Finance shall, immediately upon discovery, send written notification to the Clerk of the Legislature, and the relevant Department Head shall attend the next regular meeting of the Ways and Means Committee to assist the Committee in review and evaluation for determination of the continuance of the positions,

and move its adoption.

ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:

AYES:                        NOES:      

Passed Committee: Ways and Means on _____________.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

$145,116.00 - ADDITIONAL 2021 APPROPRIATION DOLLARS

$145,116.00 - ADDITIONAL 2021 REVENUE DOLLARS