Ulster County News

FROM: ULSTER COUNTY OFFICE

DATE: March 14, 2005 

Good evening Chairman Gerentine, Minority Leader Donaldson, distinguished Legislators, citizens of Ulster County, and members of the Press. I’d like to thank my Republican colleagues for electing me to a second term as the Majority Leader of the Ulster County Legislature. Again, I promise to uphold the responsibilities associated with this position.

Ulster County is a very special place and I don’t say that lightly. We’re ALL extremely fortunate to live here. I say ALL as a reminder. Ulster County has almost 200,000 residents and the Legislature serves all of them, regardless of party affiliation. We have an obligation to operate county government as efficiently as possible. This is a responsibility we all share.

Together, we must address the serious challenges facing Ulster County. Our challenges are related to the budget and spending, to efficient delivery of services and use of space, to major projects, economic development, and ultimately, to the way we govern ourselves. These challenges require the combined skills of every Legislator in this body.

We must have TRUE leadership - - the type of leadership that’s best measured during challenging times. It would be easy to be a leader if there were no pressing issues and if resources were unlimited, but that’s not reality. Leaders take on serious issues and don’t avoid them. With support from both sides of the aisle, we have been able to accomplish many things this past year and I look forward to working with both Republicans and Democrats in the year ahead.

At this time, I must express my sincere gratitude to County Administrator Art Smith, his staff, all department heads and County employees for their role in this year’s budget process. I would be remiss not to mention Chairperson Sue Cummings and the Ways and Means Committee for their commitment to reducing this year’s budget from its original proposal. Saving the taxpayers of Ulster County money should be a priority of this Legislature.

Last year I proposed a reduction of overtime expenses in the Highway Department. I am proud to announce that for 2004 we reduced our Highway Department’s overtime expenses by over $330,000. We are making progress, but we must do more. The cost of providing services to the public has risen. This County is growing everyday and the demands for services grow with it. Working together, we must become more proficient and resourceful to meet those challenges.

Having said all that, I’d like to offer some suggestions for next year’s budget. I believe we should implement a plan for an early budget review. We know the 2006 County budget process will be every bit as difficult as was the 2005 process. One good thing that came out of our recent process was a better understanding of the services we deliver. Without further delay, I would ask the County Administrator and his staff to project our next year’s budget scenario, based on our current knowledge of funding and revenue trends, so we can continue the exploratory process now, before we get rushed to do so later in the year. This would give our committees ample time to meet with department heads and to develop a full appreciation for the values of each service and to establish priorities.

I suggest that the Majority Leader and Minority Leader participate in department head meetings. We then could discuss the issues with our respective Caucuses. The Legislature should be more proactive in supporting the County employees. These employees are the backbone of what makes it all work. We must show our appreciation for their commitment when negotiating new contracts this year. These employees have the same needs as the private sector and deserve to be recognized for their loyal efforts.

I have had many opportunities to interact with most of our departments and agencies this past year. It has given me better insight of the role each department plays in the operations of our County. We have highly intelligent department heads and employees. We must provide them with ALL the tools they need to accomplish the results we expect from them. Communication and cooperation between the departments is essential. Without this, errors are made that cost time and money. We need more inter-departmental coordination in order to reduce redundancies. Updating of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) manual would be a great start. In some departments the forms we use are antiquated to say the least.

We should find the means to reduce spending by being more proficient in the way we operate. We must consolidate services when the opportunity allows us to do so and purchase equipment from suppliers that enable us to utilize the same service contracts, thereby cutting costs. Simultaneously, department heads with the cooperation of the unions, should create 40 hour positions as they become available through attrition of our County workforce while reducing expenses. Employees would receive an increase in salary; Management gets longer work days per employee, thus expanding possible service delivery. The County gets cost reductions in per person benefits package, sick/vacation day savings, and it reduces the need for office space, desks, computers and phones. This is a Win, Win, Win situation.

As I have suggested before, we must install Global Positioning Systems (GPS) in all County vehicles. Other counties, towns and the private sector utilize this system with positive results. These systems increase safety and enable us to better supervise and manage our fleet. The time and attendance system that was demonstrated here last year also provided us with an opportunity for proficiency and payroll cost savings. We must find the funding for this equipment. Other counties have demonstrated that these systems pay for themselves within the first year. It’s time to get into the 21^st century.

We must reform the way we provide funds for contract agencies. We should examine the plan that Dutchess County is utilizing. Let’s not reinvent the wheel when we can capitalize on the work they have already done. Many of these agencies provide essential services along with stimulating the economy. They create revenue for this County through the sales tax they generate. We must support these agencies, as they are essential to the quality of life here in Ulster County.

A major part of becoming more cost effective in delivering services is the way we utilize work space throughout the County. I think we can do a better job of property use and management. I am proud to be a member of the Space Committee, chaired by Legislator Wayne Harris. I urge this body to consider the proposals we’ll be offering in the months to come.

I’d like to see us relocate some of our County departments from locations that we are presently paying rent for, to County owned properties. 1 and 17 Pearl Street need to be liquidated and restored to the tax rolls. We have 4500 square feet vacant at the former Rent-A-Center, with seven Crime Victims employees still at 1 Pearl Street. The Rent-A-Center space could also fit Stop DWI and Alternative Sentencing which would be consolidated with Probation. This is practical, but not popular, and would give us room to expand a few offices. I understand we need storage, but the front vacancy of this building on Broadway surely has better options than as a warehouse. The Persen House should be committed to public use and possibly operated as a museum. This will put an idle building to use for residents and visitors to Ulster County to enjoy. I believe this is sound fiscal planning, and I look forward to your support.

The major projects our County is undertaking are important to every citizen. As we look for the completion of the Law Enforcement Center, we must stop the finger pointing and work together. From the beginning this was supported by Legislators from both sides of the aisle. This is an Ulster County project, not a Democratic or Republican project. We must learn from our mistakes and never let this happen again. The Law Enforcement Project Committee, with members from both parties, is working tirelessly to bring closure to this project. This committee’s work will conclude with an investigation of all parties responsible for the mismanagement, delays and cost overruns. As Chairman of this Committee, I pledge that those individuals will be held accountable. I suggest we appoint an oversight committee like this at the beginning of all future projects in order to help eliminate the problems we have experienced in the past.

This year, Ulster County will be undertaking the refurbishing of the Golden Hill Health Care Center. I have recently visited this facility with the Chairman of the Public Health Committee, Joe Roberti. It is my own personal opinion that this is one of our most treasured assets. All one needs to do is walk through the halls of that facility to notice the residents and the excellent care that is provided by the staff under the leadership of the Director, Sheree Cross. It is imperative that we examine all options for improvements to this facility in order to continue the quality of services we provide for our Ulster County seniors.

Ulster County Development Corporation’s (UCDC) role in Ulster County’s future is most important. We must continue to support UCDC in order to bring business to our region. The return on our investment that creates new job opportunities is well worth the funding we supply. In this past year alone, UCDC through its efforts has brought 68 million dollars into the County from outside investments. I am pleased to be working with UCDC in partnership with the County Planning Board on the development of a County-wide vision and strategy for economic development. The four basic components of the planning effort include county-wide community assessment, economic factor strategy, organizational strategies and consensus development and implementation plan.

We also have under formation, a plan for a business incubator to be located in Ulster County. The Hudson Valley Business and Technology Center for Innovation is a collaborative of businesses, economic development agencies, academia and the investment community to foster the growth and development of emerging, high-value businesses and technology developed firms within the Hudson Valley. There will be more news about this initiative in the near future with more details about the plans as they unfold.

This Legislature is an important ingredient in the mix and we must continue to actively participate in marketing Ulster County as a place for others to locate their businesses. We need to assist wherever possible to ensure that developers have the tools and information necessary to bring their projects to fruition. At the same time we must allow the review systems that are in place to do their jobs in protecting the environment and our natural resources. I believe our Planning Department, under the leadership of Dennis Doyle, and the D.E.C., among other agencies, has the ability to guide us in the proper direction. Economic development with good planning is essential for our economy.

The crisis in affordable housing has received the notoriety it deserves, but now we must take action. Economic development and housing are inextricably related, and it will take years to feel the economic benefits of the investments we make in housing today. Therefore, we cannot waste a moment but it will take collaboration among all the municipalities in Ulster County to address our housing needs, because no one municipality can bare the brunt of this problem. It will require leadership on the part of this Ulster County Legislature to promote such collaboration. This will necessitate that we address the Home Rule issue, which continues to divide us and impedes such collaboration.

Last year at this time, you may remember that I called for greater efforts for open government in this body, and to insure that the voting public had a better understanding of what we do. I’m sure almost everyone here will agree that whatever we achieved on this important topic, we can do better.

Just this morning, my volunteers and I completed an informal telephone survey of 100 Ulster County voters, scattered through the districts, with no regard for party affiliation. The survey consisted of 4 basic questions involving less than 2 minutes. Of those called only 32 were satisfied that they knew enough about what we do, how we spend their taxpayer dollars, what we propose to do on their behalf, or anything else pertinent to why we are here. To remedy this situation and to insure this is a truly non-partisan, bi-partisan effort, I invite Minority Leader David Donaldson, to join me in initiating a public information program to help educate our constituents and encourage more participation and feedback from them. If it appears that newsletters or other periodic reports are needed, we should move forward, with participation of both parties to make sure we present information in an objective, bi-partisan manner.

I’d like to thank the Ulster County Charter Committee for inviting me to SUNY New Paltz and giving me the opportunity to speak at its January meeting. I encourage every Legislator and members of the public to offer their comments to this Committee and look forward to the Committee’s findings. I believe such is our obligation as citizens of this County. We should strive to make improvements wherever possible. Together we can make a difference.

In closing, as I have said earlier, we have serious challenges ahead of us in 2005. Budget issues, cost effective operation and utilization of space, major projects, economic development and the way we govern ourselves are all top priorities of the moment. We owe it to the people of Ulster County to work together in a bi-partisan way to face these challenges. We must avoid getting bogged down in petty politics. The stakes are too high for that type of behavior. I look forward to working with everyone and I am confident that together we can meet the challenges that face our wonderful County.

Finally, I’d like to thank our local police agencies for their quick response to the incident at the Hudson Valley Mall and the daily protection they provide to our residents of Ulster County. As we pay homage to those men and women who serve this great Country of ours, I pray for their safe return to their loved ones. Thank you and may God bless all of you.

Michael Stock, Majority Leader