County IDA members assert independence

Ulster County Industrial Development Agency members asserted their independence from the lawmakers that appointed them as well as the executive branch that previously maintained administrative oversight of projects and tax breaks that were being considered.

The political discussion took place in several segments during a meeting last week, when agency attorney Joseph Scott answered concerns raised about whether lawmakers should have approved a contract for agency administrative authority.

“We’re a separate legal entity,” he said.

Scott noted that provisions of the county Charter requiring the Legislature’s approval of contracts over $50,000 only applies to departments and not an agency that functions under the state Public Authorities Law.

However, Scott added that Ulster County lawmakers can reign in board members because “you all occupied your position at the pleasure of the county.”

County Legislator James Maloney, R-town of Ulster, had raised the issue last month when Galileo Technology Group, which is operated by executives from of the Orange County Industrial Development Agency, was awarded a $4,500 per month contract for administrative duties. That contract has since been replaced by an agreement that will provide those services at no cost, although the revision was not subjected to a vote by the Ulster County agency’s board.

The Ulster County Industrial Development Agency had recently agreed to provide up to $100,000 to Sau-

gerties-based Ceres Technologies, but after it was revealed by the Freeman that at least three people connected to the agency have ties to Ceres, that company dropped its request for funding.

Maloney said last week he appreciated the research done by Scott to address the concern but was still convinced that agency board members were handing over operations to an organization that has worked to take business out of Ulster County. He noted that the Ulster County agency’s require state financial report that is due in March will be prepared by the Orange County group but will be based on information that had actually been handled by the Ulster County Executive’s appointments to the county Office of Economic Development.

“They are going to be assisting in (state Public Authorities) reporting,” he said. “I really think the Ulster County IDA should be wholly housed in Ulster County and staffed with competent people who have Ulster County at heart.”

The Ulster County agency board underwent a transition over the past year with lawmakers replacing five of the seven members following several years of complaints about approving payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreements. Legislator Hector Rodriquez, DNew Paltz, reminded the members they were chosen based on expectations that policies would be carried out differently.

“We are ultimately asking you to enact our vision,” he said. “So part of that I think is something that we might try communicating even more with the board with regards to how we sort of see things in economic development.”

Board member Richard Jones, who was among the five new members, agreed that legislative input is important.

“Guidance from the Legislature ... would be very useful,” he said.

Board member James Malcolm, one of the two longtime appointments, agreed that cooperation needs to exist with lawmakers but the agency needs to maintain its independence in evaluating projects even when they are politically unpopular.

“I’ve got no problem talking to the legislators,” he said. “I listen when it makes sense but continually it’s been stressed in this room that this is an independent board. So as far as carrying out your vision, you’re a citizen just like anyone else. You can come and you can make suggestions but I for one I’m going to make the right decision under the criteria that’s out there. I’m not going to be directed by a legislator (or) a county executive.”

Chairman Randall Leverette, the other longtime member, said the board is required to work independently but should cooperate with lawmakers when appropriate.

“I think we all play nicely in the sandbox together,” he said.