UPDATE: Ulster County has just approved a contentious new labor contract that includes a policy governing take-home vehicles for Department of Public Works employees. This agreement allows current vehicle holders to retain their take-home cars while granting the county “sole discretion” over future assignments, stirring significant controversy among local legislators.
Just announced today, the deal was ratified by the county’s largest employee labor union and is set to be voted on by the full Legislature on December 3, 2023. Legislator Joseph Maloney is vocal in his criticism, calling the policy a “back-door” maneuver that strips legislators of their oversight over vehicle use. “It eliminates the possibility for any legislator to ever be able to talk about it again,” Maloney stated, highlighting concerns over transparency and accountability.
The issue of take-home vehicles has been contentious since 2013, when a county executive was spotted driving a county-assigned Ford Mustang Mach-E. Currently, 98 vehicles are assigned across various departments, with 25 vehicles in the Highway Department, 45 in the Sheriff’s Office, and others spread throughout different county offices.
In response to Maloney’s concerns, former Legislature Chairwoman Tracey Bartels established a Special Fleet Management Review Committee that recommended significantly reducing take-home vehicles. However, none of these recommendations were incorporated into the new policy, which has raised alarms among county officials.
Labor relations specialist Howard Baul, representing the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA), emphasized that the take-home vehicle benefit is a long-standing agreement that the county cannot unilaterally revoke. “We would have filed legal actions if they were to do that,” Baul asserted, defending the negotiated policy that maintains the status quo for current employees.
Moving forward, the county will have the authority to determine whether new employees will receive take-home vehicles as existing staff members transition out of their positions. The new contract also introduces residency and reporting requirements for those assigned vehicles, aiming to bring more structure to the policy.
As the situation develops, community members and local leaders are watching closely. The implications of this policy could reshape oversight and accountability for public resources in Ulster County, impacting not only current employees but also the taxpayers who fund these benefits.
Stay tuned for updates as this story unfolds and as the full Legislature prepares for the crucial vote on December 3. This is a pivotal moment for the county, with potential ramifications that could echo throughout the public service sector.
