Ulster County Legislature Votes

Legislator Gary Bischoff, Chairman of the Efficiency, Reform and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee said, “This is a historic moment in Ulster County,” and Legislator Jeanette Provenzano, Majority Leader stated, “This is the most important vote I have every participated in as a member of the Legislature.”
The Chairman of the Ulster County Legislature, David B. Donaldson stated, “It is exciting to be a part of this reform. Efficiency and reform goes hand and hand with a full time Executive that is elected by the voters of the entire County and has the authority and responsibility as the Chief Executive to oversee the day to day operation. It also creates clear checks and balances because the Legislature will continue to hold the “power of the purse” and will have enhanced powers in establishing policy. There will be a new level of accountability and efficiency never before seen in Ulster County government.”
Legislator Glenn Noonan, Minority Leader stated, “This Charter is very important to the future of the County and I am happy to be able to send the referendum to the voters.”
The proposed County Charter was more than two years in the making. A Charter Commission of eleven (11) members from the community (including past Chairmen of the Legislature) held meetings in towns around the County during the past year to discuss various options. The Efficiency, Reform and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee held numerous meetings with various interested groups and individuals to review proposals and suggested changes in the draft document.
A significant component of government reform being proposed by the Charter is the implementation of a County Executive. The proposed Charter reform would fully take effect January 1, 2009, after the election of the first full-time County Executive in the November 2008 election. The County Executive will be elected county-wide by a popular vote of the registered voters in Ulster County. The first election will be for a term of three (3) years with the next election occurring in 2011 for a full four (4) year term. While Legislators will still be elected every two years, the number of Legislators will be reduced in the election of 2011 to twenty-three (23) Legislators representing single member districts.
At present there are thirty-three (33) elected Legislators that in turn elect a part-time Chairman from the Legislative body that serves both the Chairman of the Legislature and the Chief Executive Officer, a tall task for anyone much less someone part-time.
The Charter also proposes an elected County Comptroller to replace the elected Treasurer. As part of the concept of checks and balances, the Comptroller will have enhanced powers, from that of the present treasurer, to overseeing the County finances much the same as the State comptroller does for New York State.
Copies of the Charter are in all the libraries in Ulster County, all Town and City Clerk’s offices, and are available online at the County website http://www.co.ulster.ny.us/charter.html.
Chairman Donaldson, a high school government teacher, encourages all high schools to take advantage of this unique opportunity to use this document in their participation in government courses.
Questions can be directed to the Ulster County Legislative Office at (845) 340-3900.