Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Legislative Actions topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Ulster County Legislature approves Axon purchases, refers battery project review, sets tax‑exemption hearing and funds housing project
Summary
At its June 16 meeting the Ulster County Legislature approved budget and contract actions for Axon services, referred an environmental review of a proposed battery energy storage project to Ways and Means, set a July 14 public hearing on a state tax‑exemption for nonprofit homes (RPTL §457‑A), and approved a $700,000 housing action fund grant to the Kingston Housing Authority (vote 19–3).
The Ulster County Legislature took multiple formal actions June 16 after public testimony concluded.
Procurement and contract approvals: The body adopted Resolution 184 (amending the 2026 operating budget to pay for Axon services for the Ulster County Sheriff) and Resolution 185 (authorizing a contract with Axon Enterprise, Inc.); both were adopted on voice vote with 21 yes and one no (Legislator McCulla recorded as the lone no vote on each measure).
Environmental review and referral: Legislator Kovac successfully moved to refer Resolution 297 — a declaration of the county’s intent to act as lead agency under the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act for a proposed battery energy storage system (KCE New York 5 LLC) on county land at Paradis Lane in New Paltz — to the Ways and Means Committee so the county attorney can review easement and coordination questions. The referral passed 22–0.
Policy and public‑hearing scheduling: Resolution 310 sets a public hearing for July 14 on a proposed local law to opt the county into Real Property Tax Law §457‑A, which would permit a 50% county‑tax exemption for homes sold by nonprofit housing organizations (such as Habitat for Humanity) to income‑qualified buyers. The sponsor said the measure could help expand affordable homeownership when towns or school districts join the exemption.
Housing funding: Late Resolution 343 authorized execution of an agreement with the Kingston Housing Authority to provide $700,000 from the Housing Action Fund for a recommended project. The measure passed after debate; the final recorded vote was 19 in favor and 3 opposed. Supporters argued the funding is the missing piece that will create or preserve dozens of affordable units; opponents remained skeptical of the project’s financial assumptions.
Other business: The Legislature also adopted a bond resolution (315) authorizing up to $850,000 for elevator modernization at county buildings (vote 22–0). Several consent‑agenda items were adopted earlier in the meeting.
