The legislator provides an update on actions taken by the Dutchess County Legislature in the past few months. Key points include: 1) The legislature approved constructing a new Justice and Transition Center to replace the current jail and end the costly practice of housing inmates in other counties, saving $5.3 million annually. 2) A $4 million bond was approved for infrastructure improvements, including a road realignment and culvert replacement on North Quaker Lane in the Town of Hyde Park. 3) The legislature maintained the lowest tuition for Dutchess Community College in New York while increasing county investment in the college.

1. Legislative Update
August 2016
Dear Neighbor,
It is my great honor to represent the people of the Town of Hyde Park and the Townof
Poughkeepsie in the Dutchess County Legislature and would like to thank my constituents for
the opportunity to serve. My unyielding promise to you is that I will always hold government
accountable for its actions, spend tax dollars conservatively and effectively, and work to find
solutions to the issues that face our community.
Included in this newsletter, you’ll find information about some of the things we have
accomplished so far this year as well as some of the things we will be working on going
forward.
As your representative in the Dutchess County Legislature, I am here to serve our community.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can ever be of any assistance to you.
Enjoy the rest of your summer and have a safe and happy autumn.
Sincerely,
Will
Will Truitt
Dutchess County Legislator
7th
District
Contact:
Phone: 845-337-2896
E-Mail: wtruitt@dutchessny.gov

2. County Legislative Action
Committee Assignments
I am pleased to announce that during this legislative term, I have been
appointed to serve on the Public Safety and the Public Works and Capital
Projects Committees in the legislature. These committee assignments allow
me to closely work on and bring out community’s voice to many important
issues regarding these critical issues.I have also been appointed by Chairman
Dale Borchert as a legislative liaison to Dutchess Community College and as a
member of the Benefit Assessment Review Board.
Dutchess County Justice and Transition Center
This March, the legislature moved forward with a much needed long term
solution to our jail crisis. In approving the construction of a new Justice and
Transition Center facility, we will now be able to end the costly and inhumane
practice of housing inmates out in other counties.The anticipated cost savings
after the new facility is built will be approximately $5.3 million on an annual
basis.This project will also allow us to invest in evidence based programs
aimed at reducing recidivism.
InfrastructureImprovements
In June, the legislature approved a $4 million bond for critical highway and
bridge improvements throughout Dutchess County,including sites in the
Town of Hyde Park. One of the projects included in the bond is a highway
realignment and culvert replacement on North Quaker Lane (CR-16). The
project will include realigning a sharp curve and replacing a large culvert
north of Forest Drive. This location is considered a location with a high rate of
accidents,and as such will be subject to a safety analysis.
Dutchess CommunityCollege
As a legislative liaison to Dutchess Community College and as a current
college student myself, I bring a unique perspective to the issues facing
students in our county.I am pleased that this past month the legislature has
approved a budget for Dutchess Community College that maintains the tuition
as the lowest in New York State while also increasing the county’s investment
in the college. Dutchess Community College provides a world class education
at an extremely affordable price, and we are very lucky to have this institution
in our community.
Fiscal Condition of the County
Due to strong fiscal management as a result of the partnership of the County
Executive and County Legislature, Dutchess County’s finances are in very
good shape.Dutchess County ended 2015 with a fund balance of $57.2
million. The reserve funds will be applied to a Taxpayer Protection Fund,
which will set aside $13.3 million in order to offset the need for any property
tax increases over the next several years. The county will also be able to
provide additional funding to the Municipal Consolidation and Shared
Services Grant Program, which will help municipalities fund consolidation
projects that will result in long term cost savings.
Upcoming Elections:
Remember to Exercise your right to vote
September 13th - State & Local Primary
November 4 - General Election
In order to be eligible to vote in the General
Election, you must be registered by October 14th,
2016.
To register to vote, visit
www.elections.ny.gov/
Upcoming in the Community:
Dutchess County Office for the Aging Senior
Picnic for the Town of Poughkeepsie
Wednesday, August 10th , 11:30 a.m.
Bowdoin Park, 85 Sheafe Rd. Poughkeepsie, NY
For more information or to make a reservation,
please call the Dutchess County Office for the
Aging at 486-2555. Senior Picnics are open and
free to residents age 60 and older