Poughkeepsie… In preparation of the 2007 Dutchess County Budget, County Executive William R. Steinhaus held a Capital Program Committee Meeting today, Thursday, August 11.  The annual meeting is held for presentations of various capital project initiatives which are being prepared by county agencies, departments and Dutchess Community College for consideration.  The county’s capital program is a five year planning document and will cover projected needs for years 2007-2011.

County Executive Steinhaus said, “Our capital projects list includes everything from county facilities upgrades, technology enhancements, and maintenance and improvements to county highway and parks infrastructure.  This allows us to continue to provide for the public’s safety, quality educational and training opportunities and recreational and quality of life amenities.”

Steinhaus continued, “This is a critically important aspect of our annual budget process.  We always strive to meet the needs of our families as well as support the challenges of maintaining a healthy economic environment for our diverse business community.”

According to Gerry Hutchings, Chairman of Public Works and Capital Projects in the County Legislature, “The capital program provides for continuity and economic stability in countywide projects.  Though the plan is agreed on, it is a dynamic plan that can be altered with changing environments to best meet county needs.”

Steinhaus highlighted the following projects that advanced today:

• Major park project improvements – including $1 million in upgrades to the 13 year old Dutchess Stadium, home to the Hudson Valley Renegades, and facility and site improvements estimated at $1 million for Quiet Cove Park, the county’s new waterfront park on the Hudson River north of Marist College.
  
  
• $12 million in upgrades for 2007-2008 at Dutchess Community College including main campus classroom facilities plus expansion of the South Campus at Myers Corners and Route 9 in Wappinger.
  
  
• Public safety enhancements to include expansion of the Sheriff’s substation in Rhinebeck to better serve Northern Dutchess towns, as well as $3.6 million to upgrade 911 communications dispatch technology at the County 911 Center.
  
  
• Farm and Home Center building in Millbrook to get $523,000 of rehabilitation and renovation work.
  
  
• The main Dutchess County Highway Department facility to receive $5.2 million of facility modernization to strengthen the county’s ability to deploy its highway department fleet to sustain the county highway infrastructure system.

The Committee unanimously voted to support the 2007-2011 Capital Program.  The final document will be presented to the Dutchess County Legislature on November 1, 2006 for consideration.