Democratic-Led County Legislature Accomplishment, January 2008

Democratic-Led County Legislature Accomplishments

January 2008 Report

 

Reforms and new initiatives were made

 with efficiency and accountability while remaining transparent.

 

 

Reforms in the County Government Operation

The completion of the federally-mandated MS4 requirements was accomplished at one-tenth the estimated cost. Instead of the projected $2.5 million, completion cost was only $250,000. 

 

The Public Works Department reduced three departments into one. Alternative Sentencing, Community Corrections and Probation were consolidated into one department.

 

Over the past two years the potential cost of County-employee health insurance was reduced by more than $4 million.  Most, if not all, doctors previously available in network will be available.

 

Over $1.3 million is being invested in information technology (desktops, routers, and servers.)

 

The first inmates entered the new Law Enforcement Center and inmates from other counties were boarded three months ahead of schedule.   

 

Economic Development

Over 65 volunteers were gathered to form the Ulster Tomorrow initiative which created various strategies and specific targeted actions.

Funding of Old King’s Highway shovel ready should reap benefits well into the next decade. 

 

The Solar Energy Consortium, with $200,000 of County-budgeted money and spearheaded by Congressman Hinchey, may be the best economic development investment Ulster County has ever made.

 

The Ulster County Development Corporation, our economic development agency, was provided with incentive funding.  The following projects were announced and committed:
Armor Dynamics (Kingston)

Blue Heaven Hosiery (Ellenville)

Events Unlimited (Saugerties)

Fala Technologies (Ulster)

Global Palate (Esopus)

Gym Stars (Saugerties)

Interstate Brands (Ulster)

Kingston Health Pavilion (Kingston)

Kirkland Hotel (Kingston)

Kosco (Saugerties)

LeFever House B&B (New Paltz)

Lloyd Park Commons Apartments (Kingston)

Medusa Gallery and Antiques (New Paltz)

Mobile Media (Ellenville)

Numrich Arms (Hurley)

Revenue Markets (Kerhonkson)

Sta-Dri (Saugerties)

Tischler Dental Center (Woodstock)

Woodland Ponds (New Paltz) 

 

On the Environmental Front

The long awaited Open Space Plan was created to secure funds to assure that farming remains vibrant in Ulster County and open space is protected for generations to come: The development rights of two farms  – the Davenport and Misner farms were acquired in the Town of Marbletown and funding was recently announced to preserve two more in the coming year – the Arrowhead and Domino farms in the Town of Rochester. 

 

The Department of Environment was created and the Recycling Law was revamped with incentives to assure compliance. 

 

Tourism and the Arts

The Ulster County Tourism's 2007 travel guide was honored as one of the best in the United States by the North American Travel Journalists Association, the premier association of writers, photographers and editors dedicated to travel and hospitality.  There have been an increasingly larger numbers of visitors to the site that browse for longer periods. 

 

Working with the towns this past year brought the start of installing all-weather, year-round tourism kiosks for the distribution of tourism information in various parts of the County, the first erected in Marlborough.

   

We created a dedicated fund for the Arts. We have one of the highest per capita of working artist in the nation.

 

Seeing the Big Picture on Our Little Screen

The Global Warming Advisory Committee was created to produce a comprehensive list of ideas created for publication this year that uses local suppliers and local common sense approaches to lessen our contribution to the problem.

 

The Local Re-Entry Task Force was created to work with parolees. 

 

The Blue Ribbon Health Care Advisory Panel helped address the concerns of the local hospital merger while working on its main charge to prepare for the changes in financing long term care.

 

The County Collaboration Council was established that began working with all the municipalities and school districts throughout Ulster County. 

 

Over the past two years spending was controlled which kept spending flat even though most obligations went up. The 2008 budget was kept under the inflationary rate.