Referred to: The Health, Human Services and Housing Committee (Chairman Uchitelle and Legislators Collins, Corcoran, Harmon, Kitchen, Lopez, and McCollough), The Law Enforcement and Public Safety Committee (Chairwoman Hansut and Legislators Hewitt, Maloney, McCollough and Walls), and the Ways and Means Committee (Chairman Gavaris and Legislators Collins, Hansut, Kovacs, Nolan, and Roberts)

Chairwoman of the Law Enforcement and Public Safety Committee, Gina Hansut and Deputy Chair Chris Hewitt offer the following:

WHEREAS, the establishment of the Ulster County Center for Well Being, servesas a comprehensive hub that houses the Department of Mental Health and community support programs on-site; and

WHEREAS, Resolution No. 424 dated October 19, 2021 established a policy for Ulster County to have a Crisis Stabilization Center to be located at the Ulster County Center for Well-Being, recommendedto operate 24 hours/day, 7 days per week, with sufficient staffing including administrative staff, credentialed alcohol and substance use counselors (CASAC), social workers, and/or otherwise licensed counselor, case managers, and certified recovery peer advocates (CPRA); and

WHEREAS, with Crisis Centers often serving vulnerable populations, including individuals experiencing mental health crises, substance use issues, or domestic violence situations, necessitating appropriate security measures to ensure their safety and protection is vital; and

WHEREAS, with priority given to ensuring the safety and well-being of individuals accessing the Ulster County Crisis Center’s services it is essential there is a visible security presence at the Ulster County Center for Well-Being to assist in creating a safe and secure environment for both staff and clients, reducing the risk of violence, harm, or disruption to services; and

WHEREAS, collaborating with the Sheriff's Department to provide security on site offers access to trained law enforcement personnel with expertise in crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques and enhances collaboration in crisis response, improving access to resources for both providers and law enforcement and building community trust and engagement, while reducing stigma; and

WHEREAS, the presence of these officers can help mitigate potential conflicts, provide reassurance to clients and staff, and facilitate prompt response to emergencies or incidents that may arise at the Center for Well-Being; and

WHEREAS, Resolution No. 181 dated April 16, 2024 amended the 2024 Ulster County Budget to provide funding for security staff at 368 Broadway; and

WHEREAS, the Sheriff is experiencing difficulties in hiring part-time security staff, and hereby recommends the hiring of full-time staff for such purpose; and

WHEREAS, in order to hire full-time staff, it is necessary to convert existing less-than-half-time positions to full-time positions; and

WHEREAS, these full time position will start on approximately October 1^st of 2024 requiring a net reduction to the 2024 county Budget; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Mental Health and the Sheriff’s Office request to enter into a interdepartmental agreement to cover the period of October 1, 2024 to December 31, 2025; and  

WHEREAS, the Legislature anticipates that the 2025 Recommended Budget shall utilize ARPA Funds in the amount of $288,264.00 to offset the cost of the interdepartmental agreement for security staff at 368 Broadway; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the 2024 Ulster County Budget is hereby amended as follows to create the following positions effective October 1, 2024:

CREATE

and, be it further

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

DECREASE                                   AMOUNT

AA.3110.1815-1400.1400            Part Time Pay                                     $237,748.00   (App. #) 

AA.3110.1815-8010.8010            Social Security                                      $ 17,960.00  (App. #)                                                                                        

AA.3110.1815-8000.8000             Retirement                                       $ 36,318.00 (App. #)                                                                                         

AA.3110.1815-8020.8035             Health Insurance                                $      56.00   (App. #)                                                                                                

AA.4310.2290-4750.4795            Intra-County Charges                         $288,264.00

 (App. #)                                                                                          

AA.4310.2290-3400.4095            Federal Aid, ARPA                         $288,264.00 (Rev. #)

AA.3110.1815-3600.2802            Inter-Departmental Revenue              $288,264.00

(Rev. #)                                                                                           

INCREASE                                      AMOUNT

AA.3110.1815-1300.1300            Regular Pay                                        $  2,990.00   (App. #)                                                                                          

AA.3110.1815-8020.8055            Optical                                                  $ 103.00

(App. #)                                                                                       

AA.3110.1815-8020.8020             Dental                                                  $ 725.00

(App. #),                                                                                               

and move its adoption.

ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:

AYES:                       NOES:      

Passed Committee: Health, Human Services and Housing on ________________.

Passed Committee: Law Enforcement and Public Safety on ________________.

Passed Committee: Ways and Means on ________________.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

$  89,926.00 – 2024 BUDGETED APPROPRIATION DOLLARS FOR

                      SALARIES AND BENEFITS (OCTOBER 1ST – DECEMBER 31ST)

$288,264.00 – DECREASE TO PREVIOUSLY AUTHORIZED 2024 COUNTY

BUDGETARY APPROPRIATIONS

$288,264.00 – DECREASE TO PREVIOUSLY AUTHORIZED 2024 FEDERAL

AID, AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT

$288,264.00 – 2025 ANTICIPATED COUNTY BUDGETARY

APPROPRIATIONS

$288,264.00 – 2025 ANTICIPATED FEDERAL AID, AMERICAN RESCUE

PLAN ACT