We are getting close to adopting the long awaited WHISTLE BLOWER protection that will afford county employees safe passage when it comes to raising questionable practices.
From MIDHUDSONNEWS.COM
http://www.midhudsonnews.com/News/2009/August09/25/UCL_whistle-25Aug09.html
Ulster whistleblower proposal nears full legislative vote
KINGSTON – The Human Development and Personnel Committee has given its nod to whistleblower legislation proposed for Ulster County government employees and there is one more committee that must approve it before it can be placed on the floor for a full legislative vote.
The Administrative Services Committee has already approved it and Human Development Committee Chairman Donald Gregorius Monday said he believes it has stood up to several tests.
“We have honed it down as fine as we can do. It’s been through the county attorney and the legislative attorney and we hope to have it in place for a vote in the September meeting,” he said.
The Laws and Rules Committee is the final step before the full vote.
The whistleblower law idea stems from a proposal by County Comptroller Elliott Auerbach.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
http://www.midhudsonnews.com/News/2009/August09/24/UC_cell_use-24Aug09.html
Ulster County starts study of employee cell phone use (midhudsonnews.com)
KINGSTON – The Ulster County Legislature has begun its look into county employee use of cell phones following an audit by County Comptroller Elliott Auerbach found the county spent $200,000 on cell phone bills last year.
County Legislature Administrative Services Committee Chairwoman Jeanette Provenzano said her committee is exploring options to reduce spending.
“We are looking forward to whatever policy changes that we can make to tighten up the information so we know who is using the cell phones, making sure we know who has them by name and what the use is for,” she said.
The cost of the usage last year was 40 percent above 2007, Auerbach found. He said, in some cases, cell phone plans were the “Cadillac” plans.
Ulster County starts study of employee cell phone use (midhudsonnews.com)
KINGSTON – The Ulster County Legislature has begun its look into county employee use of cell phones following an audit by County Comptroller Elliott Auerbach found the county spent $200,000 on cell phone bills last year.
County Legislature Administrative Services Committee Chairwoman Jeanette Provenzano said her committee is exploring options to reduce spending.
“We are looking forward to whatever policy changes that we can make to tighten up the information so we know who is using the cell phones, making sure we know who has them by name and what the use is for,” she said.
The cost of the usage last year was 40 percent above 2007, Auerbach found. He said, in some cases, cell phone plans were the “Cadillac” plans.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Comptroller Elliott Auerbach presenting a check for over $61,000.00 to Town of Wawarsing Supervisor Ed Jennings at Thursday evening's Town Board meeting. Looking on are Town Clerk Jane Eck and Councilmen Terry Houck, Tom Geelan and John Gavaris.
KINGSTON, NY (August 20, 2009)…Comptroller Elliott Auerbach personally delivers a check for $61,486.90 to Town of Wawarsing Officials on Thursday evening, August 20, 2009. The check represents monies owed to the Town from a 2007 PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAXES (PILOT) from the Nevele Grande Hotel.
Auerbach uncovered the money during an examination of payments made to the County which revealed that $24,341.88 was owed to Wawarsing’s General Fund and $37,145.02 was owed to their Highway Fund.
The Comptroller continues to pursue over $600,000.00 owed by the Nevele to Ulster County, the Town of Wawarsing, the Village of Ellenville, the Ellenville Central School District and the Ellenville Library.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Thursday, August 13, 2009
UNPAID NEVELE GRANDE TAXES AND FEES COLLECTION EFFORT
Comptroller Leads Collaboration to Secure Tax Dollars
KINGSTON, NY (August 12, 2009)… Ulster County Comptroller Elliott Auerbach has led the effort to protect taxpayers of the County, the Town of Wawarsing, the Ellenville School District, the Ellenville Public Library and the Village of Ellenville and to recoup funds owed by the owners of the recently closed NEVELE GRANDE RESORT.
“Ulster County residents are on the hook for nearly one-half million dollars for taxes and fees owed by the Nevele” said Auerbach. “This is a financial burden to the three municipalities and the two districts. Each entity is at risk and I felt it was best to launch a coordinated effort, with the help of Ulster County Attorney Bea Havranek and County Executive Michael Hein so that the county, the town, the village, the library and the school could take whatever legal steps are necessary to ensure collection.”
Comptroller Auerbach explained that Ulster County taxpayers, through the Ulster County Industrial Development Agency UCIDA (Industrial Development Agency), have already aided the resort’s owners by providing a “payment in lieu of taxes” or PILOT agreement to reduce their tax burden. “Our UCIDA has provided healthy incentives and tax-breaks to assist the NEVELE GRANDE to evolve into a premier tourist destination” said Auerbach, “It is unfortunate the Nevele must go to auction,” said the Comptroller, “but the people of Ulster County must be made whole.”
“I see this as a valuable opportunity to collect revenues at a time when government sorely needs it,” said Auerbach, “at the same time, we look forward to the possibilities new ownership can bring to restore vitality to this time-honored resort.”
The chart below outlines funds owed by the Nevele to Ulster County taxing jurisdictions:
Payment In Lieu Of Taxes Agreement
2009 2008
Ulster County $56,318363 $46,122.89
T Wawarsing General $28,816.43 $26,834.22
T Wawarsing
Highway $44,215.88 $38,478.87
Interest &Penalty $15,974.80 $19,315.57
TOTAL $145,325.77 $93,606.22*
*$37,145.32 paid on 05/30/2008
Other Jurisdictions
Ulster Co. Occupancy Tax $50,000.00**
Ellenville Central School Dist. $255,695.74***
Ellenville Public Library $9402.97***
Village of Ellenville Water $155,480.36****
**Estimate
***Provided by Ellenville School District
****Provided by Village of Ellenville
Comptroller Leads Collaboration to Secure Tax Dollars
KINGSTON, NY (August 12, 2009)… Ulster County Comptroller Elliott Auerbach has led the effort to protect taxpayers of the County, the Town of Wawarsing, the Ellenville School District, the Ellenville Public Library and the Village of Ellenville and to recoup funds owed by the owners of the recently closed NEVELE GRANDE RESORT.
“Ulster County residents are on the hook for nearly one-half million dollars for taxes and fees owed by the Nevele” said Auerbach. “This is a financial burden to the three municipalities and the two districts. Each entity is at risk and I felt it was best to launch a coordinated effort, with the help of Ulster County Attorney Bea Havranek and County Executive Michael Hein so that the county, the town, the village, the library and the school could take whatever legal steps are necessary to ensure collection.”
Comptroller Auerbach explained that Ulster County taxpayers, through the Ulster County Industrial Development Agency UCIDA (Industrial Development Agency), have already aided the resort’s owners by providing a “payment in lieu of taxes” or PILOT agreement to reduce their tax burden. “Our UCIDA has provided healthy incentives and tax-breaks to assist the NEVELE GRANDE to evolve into a premier tourist destination” said Auerbach, “It is unfortunate the Nevele must go to auction,” said the Comptroller, “but the people of Ulster County must be made whole.”
“I see this as a valuable opportunity to collect revenues at a time when government sorely needs it,” said Auerbach, “at the same time, we look forward to the possibilities new ownership can bring to restore vitality to this time-honored resort.”
The chart below outlines funds owed by the Nevele to Ulster County taxing jurisdictions:
Payment In Lieu Of Taxes Agreement
2009 2008
Ulster County $56,318363 $46,122.89
T Wawarsing General $28,816.43 $26,834.22
T Wawarsing
Highway $44,215.88 $38,478.87
Interest &Penalty $15,974.80 $19,315.57
TOTAL $145,325.77 $93,606.22*
*$37,145.32 paid on 05/30/2008
Other Jurisdictions
Ulster Co. Occupancy Tax $50,000.00**
Ellenville Central School Dist. $255,695.74***
Ellenville Public Library $9402.97***
Village of Ellenville Water $155,480.36****
**Estimate
***Provided by Ellenville School District
****Provided by Village of Ellenville
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