Committee amends bridge funding, approves $1.65M contract for multiple superstructure repairs

The Ulster County Public Works and Capital Projects Committee on March 10 approved amendments to capital project financing for bridge repairs and immediately authorized a $1,649,000 construction contract with HDB Construction for multiple bridge superstructure repairs.

Committee members voted 3–2 to amend Resolution 108 to change the funding source for capital project 661 (bridge superstructure repairs) from bonding to the restricted bridge capital reserve and related interfund transfers. The committee then approved Resolution 109, the contract with HDB Construction, unanimously.

Resolution 108 would increase the appropriated restricted bridge capital reserve by $1,850,000 and route that funding into capital project 661 via interfund transfers rather than issuing serial bonds. Planning Director Doyle and Deputy Executive Laval described the reserve as established on Dec. 17, 2024, and set up to cover bridge work. Committee members debated whether the reserve currently holds sufficient money and whether the resolution’s draft language correctly describes the accounting path; some members said the resolution's wording implied a transfer from the general fund while others said it would draw from the restricted reserve.

Deputy Executive Laval explained the administrative practice: funds in the restricted reserve can be recorded as revenue and then moved by interfund transfer into the capital project for disposals in lieu of bonding. Planning Director Doyle said the structure was intended "to avoid bonding" for relatively small projects and instead use available county funds.

The committee also debated the policy decision to avoid bonds. One legislator framed the shift as a response to rising interest costs and the county's stronger fund balance: "Why have the taxpayers pay interest on a bond when we've got money sitting in the bank," a committee member said during debate.

After adopting the funding amendment, the committee approved Resolution 109, a $1,649,000 contract with HDB Construction for the Watson Hollow Bridge, High Falls Bridge, Kotzing Bridge, Saugerties Reservoir Bridge and related bridge work listed in the capital project. The motion to adopt the contract was moved by Legislator Donaldson and seconded by Legislator McCullough; the vote passed unanimously at the committee level.

The amendment vote (Resolution 108) was recorded 3–2. Legislator Litz and Legislator Kovacs voted no on the amendment and on final adoption; supporters said the amendment allowed the county to move forward without the interest costs of bonding and that technical fixes to the resolution's accounting text could be made before Ways and Means.

Committee members asked staff to review the resolution wording so the accounting entries accurately reflect the restricted reserve and the planned interfund transfers. The measures now proceed to the full Legislature for final approval; the construction contract approval will allow staff to proceed with contractor mobilization subject to any required post‑award processes.