Referred to: The Economic Development, Planning, Education, Employment, Arts and Agriculture Committee (Chairwoman Sperry and Legislators Clinton, Corcoran, Hewitt, Litts, Stewart and Walls), The Public Works, Capital Projects and Transportation Committee (Chair Nolan and Legislators Donaldson, Kovacs, Litts, and McCollough), and The Ways and Means Committee (Chairman Gavaris and Legislators Collins, Hansut, Kovacs, Nolan, and Roberts)

Legislator Chris Hewitt offers the following:

WHEREAS, an amendment was approved with the adoption of the 2024 Ulster County Budget to fund a Parks Director position within the Department of Public Works for the second half of the 2024 calendar year; and

          WHEREAS, said position remains vacant, creating a vacancy savings of $28,000.00 to date; and            

WHEREAS, legislation has been introduced within the County Legislature considering the use of hemp insulation in certain Ulster County capital construction projects; and

WHEREAS, hemp cultivation is changing the face of agriculture and creating significant new economic opportunities; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Economic Development is in need of assistance attracting experts to our area to explore the potentials of industrial hemp, to identify local nonprofits that can support industrial hemp, and to empower farmers to come to the table from the outset of the local industrial hemp movement; and

WHEREAS, the Ulster County Legislature, as the appropriating body, believes it is appropriate and beneficial to reallocate the Parks Director vacancy savings for a new designated purpose in furtherance of funding new potential economic development strategies, without causing the need to raise 2024 spending or increasing the 2024 budget;now, therefore, be it

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

DECREASE                                AMOUNT

AA.1490.1181-1300.1300             Regular Pay                                  $ 28,000.00

(App. #),      

INCREASE                                 AMOUNT

AA.8021.3405-4300.4505             Professional Services Other Fees    $ 28,000.00

(App. #),

and, be it further     

          RESOLVED, the Director of Economic Development shall report to the Economic Development, Planning, Education, Employment, Arts and Agriculture Committee within 60 days of adoption of this Resolution with an implementation plan to effectuate the appropriation as adopted by the Legislature,

and moves its adoption.

ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:

AYES:                    NOES:      

Passed Committee: Economic Development, Planning, Education, Employment, Arts and Agriculture on ________________.

Passed Committee: Public Works, Capital Projects and Transportation on ________________.

Passed Committee: Ways and Means on ________________.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

$28,000.00 – 2024 PREVIOUSLY AUTHORIZED APPROPRIATIONS

$         0.00 – ADDITIONAL COUNTY FUNDING