Referred to:  The American Rescue Plan Act Special Committee (Chairman Criswell and Legislators Corcoran, Levine, Lopez, and Sperry), and The Ways and Means Committee (Chairman Gavaris and Legislators Cahill, Criswell, Roberts, and Ronk)

Chairman of the ARPA Special Committee, Peter J. Criswell, Deputy Chair Thomas Corcoran, Jr., and Legislators Fabiano, Levine, Maloney, Nolan, Petit and Stewart offer the following 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 awarded Ulster County for the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) in the amount of $34,491,474.00; and

            WHEREAS, the United States Department of Treasury has adopted a Final Rule for use of funds provided under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) that supports using ARPA funding to address economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and to lay the foundation for a strong and equitable recovery; and

            WHEREAS, regulations implemented by the United State Treasury Department in their published Final Rule (31 CFR Part 35, RIN 1505-AC77) includes making necessary investments in water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure; and

            WHEREAS, access to broadband is an eligible ARPA activity and recognized by multiple other grant programs such as ConnectAll in New York that focus on unserved and underserved areas that are generally geared to “wired” access to broadband; and

            WHEREAS, improving access to wireless broadband at public locations to allow for public internet access, including continuity during an emergency, is critical for the public to gather current information and maintain communication; and

            WHEREAS, it is the intention of this resolution to provide funding for broadband access to municipal and non-profit organizations, including libraries, community centers, designated emergence shelters, main streets, etc.; and

            WHEREAS, Ulster County will work cooperatively with the Ulster County Digital Commission, emergency services providers, and local elected officials to develop the criteria for funding eligibility; and

            WHEREAS, it is anticipated that individual project awards will be in between $700.00 and $7,000.00; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, the 2024 Ulster County Budget is hereby amended as follows:

  INCREASE                                 AMOUNT

AA-1310.1088-4600.4660             Misc. Contractual Expense          $130,000.00

(App. #)                                             (Broadband Infrastructure)

AA-1310.1088-3400.4095             Federal Aid, General Gov’t          $130.000.00

(Rev. #),

and move its adoption.

ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:

AYES:                        NOES:         

Passed by Committee: American Rescue Plan Act on _____________.

Passed by Committee: Ways and Means on _____________.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

$130,000.00 – ADDITIONAL 2024 APPROPRIATION DOLLARS

$130,000.00 – ADDITIONAL 2024 FEDERAL REVENUE DOLLARS