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

Chairwoman of the Economic Development, Planning, Education, Employment, Arts and Agriculture Committee, Megan Sperry, and Deputy Chair Herbert Litts, III offer the following:

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Consolidated Laws of New York, Education Law Article 5, Part II, Libraries, §256, Contracts: any authority named in section two hundred fifty-five may, individually or jointly with another municipal or district body or tribal government which authorities include County governments, grant money for the support of the cost of maintaining or the cost of any capital improvements to or expenditure for one or more: free association libraries, provided such libraries are registered by the regents; public libraries, provided such libraries are registered by the regents; and cooperative library systems approved by the commissioner; and

WHEREAS, the Ulster County Legislature appropriated the sum of One Hundred and Two Thousand, Four Hundred Dollars ($102,400.00) in the 2024 Ulster County Budget for the Mid-Hudson Library System, which was distributed as agreed to by the majority of libraries in Ulster County; and

WHEREAS, the Mid-Hudson Library System has requested a total appropriation for 2025 of $120,600.00; and

WHEREAS, the majority of libraries have agreed to the proposed distribution of such funds as follows or equivalent resources:

                                                                                    2024 – App.   |  2025 – Req.

·      

OverDrive eContent                              $ 10,000.00  |  $ 10,000.00

·      

Niche Academy                                     $   4,200.00  |          ---

·      

Kanopy                                                $ 35,000.00  |  $ 46,000.00

·      

Recite Me                                             $ 11,600.00  |  $   8,850.00

·      

Craft & Hobby                                      $   2,500.00  |  $   3,000.00

·      

LibraryAware                                       $   2,300.00  |  $   2,300.00

·      

Reference Resources                             $ 14,000.00  |          ---

·      

Resource Publicity and Support              $   8,000.00  |  $   8,000.00

·      

Museum Passes                                     $ 11,800.00  |  $ 16,000.00

·      

Foundation Center                                 $   3,000.00  |  $   3,000.00

·      

LibCal                                                           ---      |  $ 14,000.00

·      

Major Daily Newspapers                               ---      |  $   5,700.00

·      

Universal Class                                              ---      |  $   3,750.00

2024 – App.   |  2025 – Req.

Total                                $ 102,400.00 |  $ 120,600.00;

now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the Ulster County Commissioner of Finance is hereby authorized and directed to pay to the Mid-Hudson Library System the sum of One Hundred Two Thousand Four Hundred Dollars ($102,400) for the Ulster County Libraries Program; and, be it further

RESOLVED, that the said Mid-Hudson Library System shall render a verified account of disbursements, including a list of the distribution; and, be it further

RESOLVED, that the Comptroller and/or any and all officers of the County of Ulster, their agents and representatives, shall be allowed full access upon reasonable notice and at reasonable times to view the books, papers, records and premises of the Mid-Hudson Library System during the period that this resolution is in effect for the purpose of ascertaining the manner in which the above sum of money is being used or applied; and, be it further

RESOLVED, that no County money shall be paid to the Mid-Hudson Library System until a memorandum of receipt, signed by the Director or Business Manager, agreeing to comply with the terms of this Resolution, is delivered to the Legislative Financial Analyst and the County Commissioner of Finance,

and move its adoption.   

ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:

AYES:                     NOES:      

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

Passed Committee: Ways and Means ________________.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

$ 102,400.00 |  $ 120,600.00 – 2025 BUDGETED APPROPRIATIONS