Schenectady County Legislature approves homeland-security grants, audit contract and range of administrative resolutions

The Schenectady County Legislature on Jan. 6 approved a package of resolutions that included acceptance of a $172,000 grant from the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services for a domestic terrorism prevention program, budget amendments moving state homeland-security and emergency-management funds for equipment and cybersecurity, and a three-year independent audit contract with UHY LLP.

Rory Fullman, identified in the meeting as the county manager, told legislators the $172,000 award supports the county’s Threat Assessment Management Team and would help expand monthly meetings and pay for part-time coordination staff. "I'm here for the sheriff's department to ask for authorization to accept the $172,000 as well as authorization to sign a multi year agreement with state homeland security," Fullman said.

The legislature also approved a separate set of budget changes tied to state homeland-security programs and the federal Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG). Mark Levelette explained that the county received an award letter in November and needs amendments because the funds were not included in the current year’s budget. Levelette said the county plans to move $92,000 from the State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) into 2025 to acquire an all-terrain Argo vehicle and trailer and to allocate about $30,000 for IT work related to cybersecurity and election security. He said the county also plans to move $60,642 into EMPG for salary and equipment maintenance. "We are looking to acquire an all terrain ... Argo vehicle," Levelette said, describing the purchase as a response capacity need following a recent brush fire.

Julie McDonald, introduced at the meeting as the county auditor, presented the recommendation to renew independent audit services with UHY LLP after a competitive request for…