POUGHKEEPSIE – The Dutchess County Legislature has held two public hearings on the 2023 county budget and the lawmakers will vote on it Thursday evening. Prior to voting on the spending plan, Republican members are expected to offer, and pass, a $25 million dollar amendment for improvements at Dutchess Stadium, a county park.
The original plan, which was scrapped, would have used federal COVID-19 ARPA funding.
Democratic Minority Leader Yvette Valdes-Smith says the planned amendment should have been announced prior to the public hearings on the budget. The minority leader told Mid-Hudson News, “This is not the transparency that our county residents deserve. This is a last-minute attempt to change the budget without input from the public.”
Legislature Chairman Gregg Pulver told Mid-Hudson News that the amendment, still being discussed by the Republican majority in the legislature, would save more than $11 million in bonding interest that would accompany the debt associated with paying for improvements at the stadium over time.
Suggested improvements include a new clubhouse at the stadium along with a conference center, new bathrooms, improved seating, and a new parking lot.
The Dutchess County Legislature will make their final decision on the 2023 county budget at their 7 p.m. meeting on Thursday, December 8, 2022, at the legislative chambers at 22 Market Street in Poughkeepsie.
