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Ulster County committee approves summer youth employment agreements after wage and funding debate
Summary
After extended debate over living‑wage requirements and the risk that higher pay could reduce youth placements, the committee authorized intermunicipal agreements for summer youth employment programs and related youth workforce initiatives; staff warned a potential federal funding pause could affect summer programming.
The Ulster County committee voted to authorize the chair to enter into intermunicipal agreements supporting the county's summer youth employment, youth employment, and Young Adult Employment programs, including work funded by Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
The decision followed extended discussion about compensation levels for youth employees and program capacity. Deputy Chair Litz pushed for flexibility to allow lower youth wages so the program can hire more young people; Litz said the living‑wage ordinance (discussed by committee members as $17.70) could limit placements if applied without exception. "I would much rather see a lower wage to them so we can employ more rather than a value that's much less," Deputy Chair Litz said, framing the tradeoff between wage level and number of placements.
Sharon, from the Office of Employment and Training, told members the department aims to equalize salaries across year‑round and summer youth programs and is targeting roughly $16.50 an hour across youth programs to maintain equity while maximizing slots. Sharon warned that a federal pause affecting TANF or related funding could impact the program's ability to fund summer slots beginning July 1, with an unclear effect on the number of youth served.
Legislators also discussed program design ideas such as connecting youth to recycling and event work, and noted the program's objectives include building sustained work experience (staff described summer placements as up to three months at 40 hours per week). After debate, members moved, seconded and approved the resolution authorizing the intermunicipal agreements.
County staff said they will monitor federal guidance and return with any necessary adjustments; the committee did not attach a wage exception to the resolution at this meeting.
