Ulster County legislators approved an update to the Ulster County Area Transit (UCAT) substance‑abuse policy and established Capital Project No. 732 to purchase rolling stock, including two hybrid buses, to support fleet electrification and replacement needs.

A staff speaker described the policy update as an administrative change to UCAT's substance‑abuse rules: "This policy just updates our safe our substance abuse scholarship that Stacy has right now. It puts in all of the new legal, everything on hold that we can go by," the staff member said. The update was approved by voice vote.

On the rolling stock capital project, officials said the total project cost is $2,082,562. Federal reimbursements account for $1,666,058 and New York State reimbursements account for $208,257, leaving a county share of approximately 10 percent, roughly $200,000–$208,000. The project will add two hybrid buses to cover routes that currently require non‑electric vehicles and support the fleet replacement schedule as the county advances electrification goals.

Legislators asked questions about timing of reimbursements and whether funds would be disbursed before or after procurement; staff said most of the reimbursement funding is already in place. One legislator said converting vehicles quickly is preferable for safety and operations. The capital project resolution passed by voice vote.

Why this matters: the capital project enables UCAT to replace aging vehicles and move toward electrification where feasible; updating the substance‑abuse policy ensures UCAT's rules align with current legal requirements.

Next steps: staff will execute the capital project and proceed with procurement consistent with reimbursement requirements.