COUNTY CHARTER HIGHLIGHTS

1. Strong County Executive Ñ The cornerstone of the proposed charter is a County Executive who would be elected countywide.
The core principle of the executive form is that county government officials would be held accountable for their performance.
Under the Charter all Department heads are appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the County Executive, subject, only, to confirmation by the County Legislature at the time of their appointment.
County Executive creates a single source for public accountability.
Creates top County position filled by all of the people of Ulster County, giving the position a public mandate.
Under the current system, the top County position is chairman of the Legislature.
Elected in one district, then by 33 members of the Legislature.

2. Stronger financial oversight
Revamps and strengthens the County's financial oversight.
Provides for an elected Comptroller for auditing and policy_making.
And an appointed Commissioner of Finance to administer policy and taxes, receive and disburse funds and draft the county's annual budget statement.
They replace elected County Treasurer, and appointed County Administrator.

3. County Legislature
The Charter ratifies 2003 local law which provided that the Legislature will consist of 23 single seat districts effective November 2011.
The Legislature would continue to function as the CountyÕs Legislative Branch.
The Legislators shall be part-time and shall be elected for a two-year term in odd numbered years.
There is no provision in the Charter for term limits.

4. Charter Revision Commission
The Charter provides for the creation of a Charter Revision Commission which no later than five years after the charter's enactment is required to review and if it so chooses, make recommended changes.

Timeline
August 9, 2006 Ð Legislature to Approve Charter for placement on ballot.
November 7, 2006 Ð General Election to Adopt Charter.
November 2008 Ð County Executive elected for a single three-year term.
January 1, 2009 Ð Charter shall become effective.
November 2011-
Legislature of 23 single seat districts becomes effective.
County Executive elected for four-year term every four years thereafter.

5. Interrelationship between County Executive and County Legislature
Determine Policy
Make appropriations
Adopt Budget
Capital program
Levy Taxes
Local laws
Adopt rules of order
Adopt fiscal policy
Appoint Legislature Clerks
Appoint Counsel (chairman)
Adopt Administrative Code
Approve special districts
Adopt personnel policies
Establish working hours

Adopt salary schedule upon recommendation of the executive
Adopt benefit policies upon recommendation of the executive
Approve organization of county government
Approve contracts as required
Appoint legislative boards and commissions
Confirm executive appointments
Provide for annual audit

Interrelationship between County Executive and County Legislature
Chief Executive Officer
Administrative Head of Government
Prepare and present budget
Capital Program
Appoint
Department Heads
Advisory Board Members
County Attorney
Collective Bargaining
Propose organization and reorganization
Supervise appointment and dismissal of employees
Deliver annual message on ÒState of the CountyÓ
Report to legislature on condition of government and finances
Approve legislation, local laws and budgetary items
Veto subject to Legislative override
Approve contracts as required
Appoint Consultants
Appoint Advisory Boards and Commissions

6. Reapportionment Commission
Independent 7 person Reapportionment Commission.
Sole power and authority to conduct the decennial reapportionment of the Legislature required by the State Municipal Home Rule Law.
Two members chosen by the Legislature's majority leader and two chosen by the minority leader.
Those four to select the remaining three members from a list of names compiled by the County Executive.

None of the seven members can live in the same municipality, but all must be Ulster County residents.

Members must be eligible to vote, cannot hold public office or be employed by the county, and cannot be an officer of a political party or a registered lobbyist.


7.Periodic Compensation Review Committee
The Charter creates a five_member Periodic Compensation Review Committee to review and make recommendations on the salaries of county elected officials every two years.

8. Inter-Municipal Collaboration Council

To enhance collaboration and cooperation between town and county communities.
Membership would include the County Executive; Presiding Officer and Minority Leader of the Legislature; Mayor of the city of Kingston; BOCES Rep.; Two Reps from Ulster County Supervisors Association.

Significant Modifications To Charter Commissions Draft Made By Efficiency Committee

1. Change in the effective date from 1/1/08 to 1/1/09. Election of Co. Executive.
Initial term is 3 years.
2011 on 4 yrs.

2. Moving up the election of 23 legislators from single member districts from the 2013 to 2011. Compressed the timetable for the Reapportionment Commission.

3. Reinstatement of the power of the County Planning Board to hear reviews from local planning boards under Section 239.

4. Requirement that the Commissioner of Health be a medical doctor.