Lawmakers shift $25 million from fund balance to Dutchess Stadium for improvements

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POUGHKEEPSIE – The Republican majority of the Dutchess County Legislature approved moving $25 million from the general fund balance to the capital projects plan for improvements to Dutchess Stadium, a county park.

The idea was presented at a previous meeting and the GOP majority pulled the resolution to do additional research.  According to the legislature’s, Budget, Finance, and Personnel Committee Chairman Michael Polasek, the analysis indicated that if the $25 million in stadium upgrades were paid through bonds, the taxpayers would bear an additional $11 million due to interest payments.

Minority Leader Yvette Valdes-Smith represents the area where the stadium is located. The Democrat pointed out that the stadium is not accessible to the people living across the street due to a lack of crosswalks.  “This is an appropriation without justification,” the legislature’s top Democrat said.

The Democrats in the legislature criticized the amendment offered by Legislator William Truitt (R-Hyde Park) due to the timing.  They argued that the financially substantial investment was kept secret by the Republican majority until after the two public hearings on the budget had already taken place.

In defending his amendment, Truitt told the attendees that supporting the Hudson Valley Renegades is important.  He claims that his parents couldn’t afford to take him to his first professional baseball game until he was 10 years old because they couldn’t afford it.  He noted that the Renegades have consistently provided Dutchess residents with a low-cost alternative to major league baseball games.

The projects, including a new clubhouse and conference hall, are slated to begin in March of 2023 and be completed prior to the start of the 2024 season.

The amendment passed by a vote of 17 in favor and six opposed, with two lawmakers, Democrat Giancarlo Llaverias and Republican Joey Cavaccini absent from the meeting.  Randy Johnson, a Democrat representing a portion of the City of Poughkeepsie, voted in favor of the amendment.




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