KINGSTON – An Ulster County Recovery and Resilience Working Group has been formed by County Executive Patrick Ryan and Legislature Chairman David Donaldson.
The working group will establish high level priorities and goals to best use federal relief funds the county will receive, ensuring it emerges from the pandemic stronger and more equitable.
“Ulster County is committed to leveraging these once-in-a-generation direct relief funds to ensure that we come out the pandemic stronger and more resilient than before,” said Ryan. “In the coming weeks, we are looking forward to hearing from the public and working with the Legislature to establish a plan that will create a lasting impact on the lives of our residents.”
“We are looking forward to having a healthy and open dialogue on how we can use these funds that will best impact our community,” said Donaldson. “Our goal is to do something for Ulster County that will have a direct positive impact for a longtime.”
Public engagement sessions will also be established to hear directly from the community on potential investments.
The group anticipates a draft plan to be submitted to the legislature for review and approval in 90 days.
The working group will be made up of the following:
- David Donaldson, Chairman of the Ulster County Legislature
- Kenneth Ronk, Jr., Minority Leader, Ulster County Legislature
- Jonathan Heppner, Majority Leader, Ulster County Legislature
- Evelyn Wright, Deputy County Executive
- Burt Gulnick, Commissioner of Finance and Budget Director
- Christopher Kelly, Deputy Budget Director
On March 11, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act providing significant funding to state and local governments. Ulster County expects to receive $34.44 million. Towns, cities, and villages in the county will also be receiving direct aid from this act, estimated to be over $25 million.
