Ulster County News

FROM: ULSTER COUNTY PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE

DATE: September 3, 2004 

Ulster County Legislature held a special session last evening to vote on a resolution that will allow the construction of the Ulster County Law Enforcement Center to continue. The bond resolution was passed by a vote of 24-3. The bond was for $8 million and will be used to pay for additional costs which break down to $4.73 million for "bricks and mortar," $1.8 million for administrative, consulting, and legal fees, and $1.47 million to resolve claims.

"I am relieved by the passage of this bond so that the progress of the construction can continue. I don’t think any legislator wants to spend a penny more on this project. Unfortunately, there was no other recourse for Ulster County at this time. If the Law Enforcement Center construction was to cease and be built at a future date, the cost of construction would be at a much greater cost to the county. If the project was to cease, we would still have to contend with the litigation of all contractors and all unsettled claims. The project being approximately 75% completed would have no value to Ulster County at this point," stated Chairman Gerentine.

"I want to assure all of the residents of Ulster County that during the construction we will have our consultants try to determine who is responsible for causing these delays. Once that determination has been made, we will try to recoup any monies and counter-claims that Ulster County might be entitled to in order to offset these additional costs," continued Chairman Gerentine.

"I want to personally thank all of the legislators for the tough decision they faced on passing this bond resolution. I believe it was the right decision and that it was prudent to Ulster County," concluded Chairman Gerentine.