KINGSTON – Discrepancies involving two separate grant projects in Kingston will be costing city taxpayers $125,000. The revelations were discussed Monday night at a Finance and Audit Committee meeting of the city council with city grants manager Kristen Wilson.
Two existing contracts with Greenman & Pedersen Inc (GPI), signed in 2014, have funding gaps not covered by grants. “I can’t find where that gap is supposed to come from,” Wilson told the committee.
One project, Broadway traffic signalization, costs $134,500 – but only $75,000 is available. The remaining $59,000 expected from the Ulster County Transportation Council was never applied for.
Another project, Broadway streetscape design, costs $315,000 – with a $66,000 gap.
“We have a resolution authorizing the contract in 2014 for $249,000; that’s the amount that was allotted in the NYSERDA grant that we have for that specific design,” Wilson said. “I don’t know where the difference was supposed to come from, and I have searched high and low.”
“We have to find money to pay for this, were on the hook,” noted Finance and Audit Chairman Douglas Koop.
“It’s too late to bond; I recommend taking from the fund balance,” suggested City Comptroller John Tuey.
“How did this happen, this is not light change, this is big old bucks,” note Ward 9 Alderwoman Debbie Brown.
“I wish I could answer that; this happened before my time,” Wilson replied.
“There was a breakdown. A contract was entered into for more than the grant would cover,” Tuey said.
“I will continue to seek where the funds are supposed to come from, with due diligence, and if that changes, I will let you all know immediately, but at this date I have not been able to find them,” Wilson said.
The committee voted to allocate the additional money from the city’s fund balance to cover the funding gap for the two contracts.
