POUGHKEEPSIE – The Dutchess County Legislature’s Budget, Finance, and Personnel Committee adopted amendments to the 2022 Executive Budget on Wednesday and voted to advance the budget to the entire legislature for further consideration. A public hearing on the tentative budget will be held on November 29 at 7 p.m. and the vote to adopt the final budget will be held on December 2 at 7 p.m.
One major change is a newly created grant program similar to the successful Municipal Innovation Grant program. The Fire & Rescue grant opportunity will identify service gap areas, specifically training and equipment, and help fill those needs. The amendment was made by Legislature Chairman Gregg Pulver. “This brand new grant opportunity will go a long way to equip and replenish our paid and volunteer firefighter force. As a life member of the Pine Plains Fire Department, I know the sacrifices that come from this demanding field, and we need to provide for those who put their lives on the line for us. These grants will go a long way towards increasing public safety.”
Legislator Mike Polasek offered an amendment to increase funding earmarked for the MHA Dutchess “Housing, Employment, Reintegration, and Outreach” program, known as HERO. The $50,000 amendment will bring the county’s support of the program to $275,000. Polasek encouraged his colleagues to support the change. “If we can help veterans before they become homeless it saves them from emotional and financial turmoil,” he said. “The HERO program deserves to be funded completely so our veterans receive the benefits they deserve.”
A new grant for “Special Needs Tourism” will cover mobility upgrades, ADA bathrooms, sensory areas, staff training to accommodate those with special needs, and other initiatives. This change was also made by Polasek. “Everyone, regardless of ability, should be able to explore Dutchess County and experience its unique tourism destinations. Because many of our destinations are historic and/or outdoors they can often be difficult to access for those with mobility issues.”
The approved amendments made by the committee are listed below:
- $1 million in additional funding for Fire & Rescue Grant, $3 million total
- $1 million in additional funding for Agency Partnership Grant (APG), $4.5 million total
- $1 million in additional funding for Municipal Innovation Grant (MIG), $4.5 million total
- $500,000 in additional funding for Learn, Play, Create (LPC) Grant, $1 million total
- $50,000 in additional funding for Mental Health America’s (MHA) HERO program, $275,000 total
- $50,000 in new funding for Special Needs Tourism Grant
