The main business of this session was the approval of the 2025 budget. Five amendments to the budget prepared County Executive Sue Serino were offered by both Republican and Democratic legislators, and each amendment was approved unanimously. Members from both parties expressed appreciation to both Ms. Serino (who was present) for her open-minded and collaborative approach to the budget development process, as well as to the Budget Office, the Budget and Finance committee, and commissioners of the various executive agencies for their, help, responsiveness and transparency. Democratic legislators pointed out that the level of collaboration and cooperation was unlike prior years under prior administrations when they had had no voice.
The five amendments were:
- An increase of $50,000 (from $72,800 to $122,800) to the Office of Veterans Affairs Department’s professional services line in order to provide on demand transportation services for veterans;
- An increase of $75,000 for the Department of Planning & Development’s Division of Solid Waste Management for a zero-waste consultant to conduct a solid waste study to identify opportunities and implementation strategies for waste reduction and to explore alternative technologies for disposal, as well as opportunities for jobs and economic growth in the waste, diversion and reuse sector;
- $50,000 for the Department of Community and Family Services to contract with a vendor for a community health worker;
- A $100,000 increase for the Department of Planning & Development Community Benefit Fund to develop a competitive grant program to fund infrastructure projects of nonprofit organizations that provide services to the homeless such as soup kitchens and food pantries;
- An $100,000 increase to the Office of Veterans Affairs’ Community Benefit Fund for a Competitive Grant Program.
Additionally, Legislator Chris Drago – District 19 – obtained a commitment from the County Executive to continue to work with legislators on a regionalized plan for EMS, a concept the Legislature has been studying since 2017. Ms. Serino agreed to report on progress at the end of the first quarter of 2025. Legislator Drago emphasized that he’d like updates to include “what more we could be doing, as well as providing more detail and more detailed timelines on what was in the presentation last Thursday, which, while there were timelines in there for supplemental and for a potential tax on towns, there are other things that were just discussed and I’d like to see details on what we’re going to deliver and when.”
The budget was approved, with 23 legislators voting yes, and 2 no.
In addition to the budget, 19 resolutions (## 185-186, 199-215) on the consent agenda were approved unanimously. These involved (1) authorizing the issuance of an aggregate $1 million serial bonds to pay the cost of the purchase of various motor vehicles for the sheriff’s office, the amendment of funding under the Trade Adjustment Act, the payment of 2023 unencumbered vouchers from 2024 funds for the Department of Mental Health, and the amendment of the 2024 adopted county budget as it pertains to the Department of Mental Health; (2) reappointments to the Dutchess County Board of Health, District three Fish and Wildlife Management Board;, the Cornell Cooperative Extension Association Board of Directors, and the Dutchess County Planning Board; (3) declaring Dutchess County lead agency and adoption of determination of no significant adverse environmental impact in connection with the Department of Public Works a Sidewalk Improvement Project Village of Milton and town of Northeast; (4) confirming the reappointment of Ian Cylinders as counsel to the Dutchess County Legislature; (5) establishing the dates of the 2025 Organizational Meeting and regular monthly meetings for 2025; (6) amending the 2024 adopted county budget as it pertains to the Board of Elections, and the sheriff’s office; (7) authorizing a condemnation proceeding for an acquisition and temporary easement of real property in connection with the replacement of Bridge W 30 Burbank Road over Unnamed Creek in the Town of Washington, and the acquisition by way of donation from the Northeast Community Council Inc in connection with the Harlem Valley Rail Trail in the town of Northeast, Village of Milton; (8) authorizing payment of 2022 invoice from 2024 funds as it pertains to the Department of Finance and amendment to the 2024 county budget related to capital projects.
Majority Leader Houston requested – and obtained – unanimous consent on a resolution to “adjust the permanent rules so that [legislators] received local laws via email as well as laid on desk.”
One member of the public, Laurie Sandow, addressed the Legislature. To enhance notice to the public as to county business and public hearings, she urged the author a resolution requiring the county to dedicate a page to its website that would include every public notice that is transmitted for publication to the Poughkeepsie Journal, notice of every bid requested, and every press release. She also pointed to flaws and insufficiencies in the “Dutchess Delivery” system. In addition, she encouraged the Legislature to institute a countywide “311” system that would provide access to non-emergency services, and thereby provide data showing repeated questions and complaints while simultaneously freeing up 911 to urgent matters. In addition, she expressed disappointment at recent County bus route modifications without having held public meetings that clearly identified the hardships created by the modifications. Finally, she noted that December 10 is International Human Rights Day and pointed to the role that Eleanor Roosevelt played as the first chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights.
At the conclusion of the meeting, condolences were offered to Legislator Brennan Kearney on the passing of her father, and to the family and friends of Deputy Sheriff Nicholas Gasparre.