Minimum public comment on 2021 Dutchess budget

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POUGHKEEPSIE – The Dutchess County Legislature held a virtual public hearing on the proposed 2021 budget on Monday night.  A total of six county residents participated to express their opinion on the $501.8 million spending plan.

Historically the public hearing on the budget has drawn dozens of participants, speaking on a wide variety of funding initiatives ranging from funding for the SPCA to providing additional money for the arts.  Occasionally the annual meeting would last for hours and have an overflow crowd. 

Legislature Chairman Gregg Pulver said the low level of public comment is indicative of community support for the spending plan.

“The budget is certainly lean taking into consideration the effects of COVID on this year’s operations, so I think it does send a message that overall, the community is happy with the budget,” he said.

Chairman Gregg Pulver

On Monday night, the only topic was the expenditure of $200 million on the new jail, known as the Justice and Transition Center.  The meeting lasted less than 20 minutes.

All six speakers opposed the project.  Dr. Mona Kleinberg, a college professor specializing in public opinion, took the position of social change in denouncing the plan for the jail that is currently under construction.  “We’ll look back years from now and be ashamed that we spent $200 million on a jail,” she said.

Pulver did indicate that a few comments had been submitted via email and would be made part of the record.




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