Referred to: The Law Enforcement and Public Safety Committee (Chairwoman Hansut and Legislators Clinton, Hewitt, Levine, Maloney, McCollough and Walls), and The Ways and Means Committee (Chairman Gavaris and Legislators Collins, Hansut, Kovacs, Nolan, Roberts, and Uchitelle)

Chairwoman of the Law Enforcement and Public Safety Committee, Gina Hansut, Deputy Chair Chris Hewitt, and Legislator Jason J. Kovacs offer the following:

WHEREAS, ​this resolution has been submitted at the request of the Ulster County Executive on behalf of the Department Of Emergency Communications/Emergency Management​; and 

WHEREAS, ​the Department of Emergency Services has worked collaboratively with anchor Emergency Medical Services agencies, who meet response standards, for the provision of an Emergency Medical Services System; and​ 

WHEREAS, as illustrated in the EMS Services Delivery Report Ulster County currently lacks adequate Emergency Medical Services support; and 

WHEREAS, the 2025-26 New York State Budget has proposed declaring Emergency Medical Services as an essential service, resulting in the establishment of Countywide taxing districts; and 

WHEREAS, if enacted, such changes would result in the need for additional modifications to the provision of EMS services throughout the County and this plan; and  

WHEREAS, in Ulster County approximately 65% of calls are dispatched as Advanced Life Support; and 

WHEREAS, Emergency Medical Service agencies have identified gaps in funding due to the cost of readiness; and  

WHEREAS, core anchor agencies have been providing Advanced Life Support services in their approved operating territory within the 95% of call response rate; and  

WHEREAS, several agencies provide effective Basic Life Support services within the 95% call response rate with the provision of mutual aid; and  

WHEREAS, in order to support Basic Life Support and Advanced Life Support Emergency Medical Services it is necessary to support the cost of readiness and to support the effective provision of Emergency Medical Services, herein defined at meeting the 95% call response rate; now, therefore be it  

RESOLVED, that the 2025 Ulster County Operating Budget is hereby amended as follows: 

and, be it further

RESOLVED, if Federal funding for County year 2025 and or 2026 is reduced to below 90% of budgeted anticipated revenues for the respective fiscal year the County shall evaluate the continuance of this program,        

and moves its adoption.

ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:

AYES:                    NOES:      

Passed Committee: Law Enforcement and Public Safety on ________________.

Passed Committee: Ways and Means on ________________.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

$4,532,000.00 – ADDITIONAL 2025 APPROPRIATIONS

$4,532,000.00 – ADDITIONAL 2025 APPROPRIATED FUND BALANCE