Dutchess Legislature approves $25M for stadium, votes down school program, in 2023 budget
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The Dutchess County Legislature passed a 2023 county budget Thursday that includes a $25 million amendment to pay for improvements to Dutchess Stadium.
The funding would fulfill an obligation tied to a 25-year rental agreement signed with the Hudson Valley Renegades in June 2021, but goes against the Democrat county comptroller's recommendation to table to amendment until January and was passed amid dispute from some Democrat legislators.
The Republican-controlled Legislature passed the $587.7 million budget which includes a 12% property tax rate cut and amendments to County Executive Marc Molinaro's proposed spending plan for stadium improvements, Dutchess County Sheriff's Office funding and grant programs to fund youth services. The budget was passed with an 18-7 vote, with one Democrat voting in support.
The two amendment items that received the most discussion were the $25 million in improvements to the stadium and a $570,811 amendment to cover the cost of college-level classes offered to disadvantaged high school students through Dutchess Community College, which was voted down. Both issues were said to be time-sensitive, which is why they were brought up as amendments, and for both legislators said there was key information from stakeholders that remains unknown.
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"County taxpayers count on us to be faithful stewards of their hard-earned dollars − to ensure the funds they entrust to us are spent conscientiously − and we remain steadfast in our pledge to return to residents tax dollars whenever possible," stated Molinaro, whose tenure ends in January when he takes his seat in Congress. Molinaro will be replaced by Deputy Executive Bill O'Neil.
Before the voting Thursday, county Comptroller Robin Lois sent an email to legislators challenging the legitimacy of the $25 million amendment, saying while she has not seen the amendment it was "unconventional at best, and circumvents our County’s Capital Project Plan process as well as our Capital Project Policy that was put in place to protect taxpayer dollars and ensure proper oversight."
Lois suggested bringing the request back as a resolution in January once the Department of Public Works had all the information "demonstrating full knowledge of the project for funding."
"This legislative body has the votes, and the money will still be available in January to get this done by using proper procedures. I see no compelling reason to do otherwise," Lois stated in the email she shared with the Journal.
The County Attorney's Office believes the amendment was adopted through the correct process, according to Budget Director Jessica White.
Stadium funding
The $25 million for improvements at the county-owned ballpark in Fishkill is coming out of the county's fund balance and is to be used toward new pitching and batting areas, a new clubhouse, a new seating area and an enclosed event space. The Department of Public Works said the funding was needed to ensure the stadium would be ready for the 2024 baseball season. The amendment passed with 17-6 vote, with one Democrat voting in favor.
The county had put out a request for bids last year, which came back at an estimated cost of around $18 million. The county has again put out a request for bids which are due back on Dec. 22. Negotiations with the owner of the stadium are also underway regarding funding for the project, explained a county administrator.
The county owns Dutchess Stadium and leases it to the Renegades, a Class A Minor League Baseball team in the New York Yankees organization. Diamond Baseball Holdings, an organization formed by Endeavor Holdings Group, bought the team in December 2021.
The amendment was put forth by Republican Majority Leader Will Truitt, who represents Hyde Park and the Town of Poughkeepsie. Republican legislators demonstrated the need for the funding by saying the stadium is a county park and it is the county's responsibility to maintain and ensure the stadium stays in use. The investment, they said, would economically benefit the county through sales tax revenue, tourism dollars and also revenue streams allocated by the stadium's owner. The revenue agreed upon directly through the 25-year rental agreement does not cover the cost of the improvements, as they were most recently estimated.
"We invested $13 million on the north side rail trail, which was great. We did it, it was a benefit to the City of Poughkeepsie. No one questioned that we should be getting revenue on it," said Legislator Deirdre Houston, assistant majority leader, who represents Amenia, Washington, Pleasant Valley, and Village of Millbrook.
Previously, Republican Legislature Chair Gregg Pulver noted it was not expected the improvements would require the entirety of the $25 million.
Democrats responded an amendment for this amount of taxpayers' money required more time to review and should be brought back as a resolution; that a public hearing was needed; and that they should wait until the bids come in and negotiations with owner are completed. They also pointed out the county park is different than other parks because there is an access fee that many the residents cannot afford.
The county comptroller, in her letter, suggested taking a different route and amending the 2023 Capital Plan during the session to allow for full transparency. The county's budget director stated the project was included in the 2022 Capital Plan, when the request was for $12.5 million, and also is in the 2023 Capital Plan.
"Republican legislators proposing and supporting this gift to a multi-billion dollar corporation are breaking the rules to benefit the wealthy," said Legislator Brennan Kearney, Democrat representative for Rhinebeck and Clinton.
Student funding
Democrat Minority Leader Yvette Valdés Smith put forth an amendment to provide high school students on a free and reduced lunch program with funding to take dual-enrolled college courses at Dutchess Community College for the 2023-24 school year.
The community college, which had been offering free tuition to high school students, could no longer fund the program due to declining revenue and enrollment.
Republicans said they could not support the amendment because Dutchess Community College President Peter Grant Jordan is meeting with school superintendents and funders who might be able to provide the support. The college could also continue to fund the program itself through fund balance until a solution is reached. Legislators were also critical of the funding because it was slated to be recurring. Since the funding was for the school year that doesn't begin until late summer, they believe there was time for further discussion and review.
Democrats said the matter is time sensitive because students will selecting classes for next fall in the spring. The amendment failed by 17-8 vote.
"I don't think that accepting this, that we have to do it now because students won't get this in the fall, I mean that is not an acceptable answer for me," said Republican Legislator John Metzger, who represents East Fishkill. "The college can provide this if they want to provide it. They have to push something else out of their budget or look to provide from their fund balance."
Saba Ali: Sali1@poughkeepsiejournal.com: 845-451-4518: @MsSabaAli.
This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Dutchess Legislature OKs $25M for stadium, votes down school funds
