With a unanimous vote, the Ulster County Legislature approved a local law to ensure any changes or amendments to a county contract will be submitted to the County Legislature for approval.

“Until this local law, after a contract was approved by the Legislature, we never saw it again, despite changes and updates,” noted Legislator and law co-sponsor Carl Belfiglio.  “We might approve the purchase of one service and actually pay for another without the proper checks and balances.”

With newly adopted Local Law #10 of 2015, a contract would come back to the Ulster County Legislature for review if the change order is for a capital project and the change amount is for 20% or more of the contract total or if a non-capital project, non-pass-through contract exceeds $50,000 during the term of the contract.  In addition, with this local law, the Director of Purchasing will provide a monthly report of all contracts, change orders and amendments executed for the month.

“In another bi-partisan action, the Ulster County Legislature stepped up it’s role in providing the required oversight of County finances,” stated Minority Leader and law co-sponsor Ken Ronk, Jr.

In returning the local law unsigned, County Executive Michael Hein acquiesced to the Legislature in it’s role and function as the policy making body for the County.  The local law takes affect immediately upon filing with the New York State Secretary of State.

“With the law now enacted, the Ulster County Legislature has prevented any County Executive from creating loopholes that would keep contract amendments under the radar,” concluded Legislator Belfiglio. "I thank my fellow Legislators for helping to put necessary financial controls in place to protect the taxpayer.”