Ulster County approves intermunicipal sponsorship funding for 250th‑anniversary programming

On July 9 the Ulster County Rules, Laws and Government Services Committee approved Resolution 390, authorizing the county legislature chair to enter intermunicipal agreements that distribute sponsorship funding for public programming and interpretive materials commemorating the 250th anniversary of American independence.

The resolution lists municipal awards totaling $12,875 (City of Kingston $3,500; Esopus $3,500; Wawarsing $2,500; Village of Ellenville $2,500; Woodstock $875). Deputy County Executive Amenta told the committee the county clerk ran a competitive process for nonprofit projects as well and that the total program award across municipal and nonprofit recipients was $49,700 of a $50,000 budgeted amount. Amenta recited nonprofit awardees, including the Rosendale Theatre, Cornell Cooperative Creative Arts Center, the D & H Canal Museum and others.

Legislator Collins asked that municipal awardees be listed in the resolution; after discussion the proposed amendment was withdrawn and members agreed the matter could be clarified at the Ways and Means committee if needed. Committee members supported moving the resolution forward while allowing members of Ways and Means to consider whether additional whereas language should be added.

The resolution passed by unanimous voice vote. Deputy County Executive Amenta said the awards were mostly small nonprofit grants and that intermunicipal agreements must come before the legislature because of the contract amounts. The committee asked that the clerk or a legislator highlight the nonprofit awards at the Ways and Means meeting.

Next steps: intermunicipal agreements will be executed and the county clerk or Ways and Means will provide additional detail on nonprofit awardees and budget reconciliation as requested by committee members.