Committee approves ARPA reallocation, retiree health funding, DA salary increase and new Human Rights manager position

During the April 13 meeting the Budget, Capital and Personnel Committee voted unanimously on a package of budget and personnel resolutions.

Key outcomes: - ARPA funding reallocation (ID 13995): administration moved remaining ARPA funds from closed projects to pre‑2025 contracts to avoid returning money to the state; the committee approved the reallocation unanimously and staff said a future resolution would propose placing $1,500,000 into a contingency reserve for a crisis‑stabilization unit.

- Funding to cover retiree health insurance changes: HR explained audit‑required plan changes for retirees not eligible for Medicare and requested funding to reimburse the consortium for additional costs; members agreed to a friendly amendment limiting funding to calendar 2026 and approved the resolution unanimously.

- District attorney salary increase (ID 14006): members approved a statutory salary increase for the DA that follows state law indexing to judicial pay.

- Creation of a Human Rights Program Manager position (ID 13986): the committee approved creating the new position and setting salary/grade for recruitment; staff confirmed the item is in the 2026 budget and administration supports hiring.

- NYSAC resolutions: the committee adopted three NYSAC proposals urging state action on (1) improving distribution of adult‑use cannabis sales‑tax proceeds, (2) amending New York’s in REM foreclosure law to relieve counties of rising foreclosure costs, and (3) preserving the county Medicaid cap while providing counties resources to implement federal safety‑net changes.

All motions were moved, seconded and passed unanimously in committee. Each item will proceed to further legislative review where required.