Ulster County approves highway equipment purchases and $1.3M fleet project; officials discuss EVs and charging plan

The Ulster County Public Works and Design Projects Committee unanimously approved multiple capital projects May 11 to fund highway and fleet equipment purchases, and held extended discussion about vehicle costs, bonding and the county’s electrification strategy.

The committee adopted Resolution 284 to establish capital project No. 769 and fund $3,880,000 for highways and bridges equipment. Legislator Berardi questioned several unit-cost estimates — citing a listed $260,000 price for a New Holland tractor model — and asked whether model numbers and procurement strategy could be standardized. Fleet manager Kim Miller responded that market prices have risen and that the county posts solicitations on the New York State OGS marketplace, meaning bids can bring substitute manufacturers at different prices: “When we go out to bid, sometimes we don't get exactly what we're asking for,” Miller said.

Members also discussed how the county finances equipment purchases. Deputy Executive Don Quisnell explained the county typically consolidates borrowing in a single bond with a weighted-average useful life calculated by bond counsel; bond terms can vary but historically have been in the 15–30-year range.

Separately, the committee approved a $1.3 million capital project for county fleet vehicles (Resolution 770/286). Deputy Executive LaValle and Miller said the county’s Greenfleet law and electrification plan shaped the procurement: about eight of the 16 vehicles included in the project are plug-in hybrid or battery-electric models. LaValle described planned charging infrastructure at the law enforcement center: “There are 2 cabinets with 2 plugs each for DC fast charging... and then there will be 7 level 2 pieces of equipment with 2 plugs each, so 14 of those — a total of 18 new plugs,” he said.

Legislators raised operational questions, including whether any new vehicles would be take-home units and whether sheriff vehicles are fully outfitted. Miller said all other county vehicles are non-take-home and that the listed $90,000 unit price for sheriff vehicles includes lights, sirens, computers and lettering. She also explained that some county vehicles for the Department of Social Services are charged back to that department as a rental arrangement.

What’s next: the equipment and fleet capital projects were approved; administration will provide any further procurement details and historical cost comparisons upon request.