Poughkeepsie … Following the resignation announcement from Comptroller Robin Lois, Dutchess County Executive William F.X. O’Neil has announced he will appoint Gregg Pulver to serve as County Comptroller beginning December 31, 2023. Mr. Pulver currently serves as Chairman of the Dutchess County Legislature. The County Executive will forward the appointment resolution to the County Legislature for approval at its December 18 Board Meeting.
County Executive O’Neil said, “Congratulations to Robin Lois as she takes on this new role as Deputy Comptroller for New York State. We thank her for her years of service to the residents of Dutchess County and I am certain Robin will keep a keen eye on the State’s finances, as she has for Dutchess County since 2018. We wish her the best and look forward to continuing to work with her in this new capacity.”
“I am also pleased to be able to appoint Gregg Pulver to the Comptroller position for a seamless transition,” continued County Executive O’Neil. “For decades, Gregg Pulver has committed himself to service to the residents of Dutchess County, and I’m proud to appoint him as our next County Comptroller. Gregg has gained invaluable experience and insight into the financial operations and management of government – as a school board member, town supervisor, and as a County legislator – and he’ll bring that expertise into this new role, to the benefit of our residents. We are fortunate to have someone with a proven track record of conservative fiscal stewardship overseeing this vital role.”
The resignation of Robin Lois, who is stepping down as Dutchess County Comptroller to serve as New York State Deputy Comptroller, will be effective Dec. 30, 2023. To fill the vacancy, the County Executive is charged with appointing a new County Comptroller, as prescribed in the Dutchess County Charter. Mr. Pulver’s appointment, which must be confirmed by the County Legislature, will take effect Dec. 31, 2023 and will run through Dec. 31, 2024. The Charter calls for an election to be held in November 2024 to fill out the remainder of the current four-year term, which runs through Dec. 31, 2025. The regularly scheduled general election in November 2025 will be held for a new four-year term, which will commence Jan. 1, 2026.
Chairman Pulver is concluding his fifth two-year term as a County Legislator and his sixth one-year term as the body’s leader. Prior to his tenure as a legislator, he served as the Town of Pine Plains Supervisor for 12 years. A third-generation farmer, he is owner and operator of a family business, Pulver Farm, in Pine Plains, Chairman Pulver brings with him ample experience of fiscal management and financial oversight gleaned in both the private and public sectors – as a business owner, fire company member, school board member, town supervisor and member of the Legislature’s Budget, Finance and Personnel Committee.
Chairman Pulver said, “I am incredibly honored to have the opportunity to serve the residents of Dutchess County as the next Comptroller. This position comes with a critical responsibility to defend and protect our tax-dollars, and it is not something I take lightly. I thank Robin Lois for her years of service to Dutchess County and I look forward to working with her as we each take on these new positions. I thank County Executive O’Neil for his confidence in my ability, as I have long appreciated our successful history of working together.”
The Comptroller functions as chief accounting and auditing officer of the County. As a countywide elected official, the Comptroller is directly accountable to the taxpayers and voters of Dutchess County; as such, the Comptroller’s Office is not an agency of the Executive or Legislative branches.
The Comptroller chairs the Audit Advisory Board, which provides oversight of the annual audit. The Comptroller also performs tasks including pre-audit of claims, certification of availability of funds, encumbrance of funds and processing and record keeping required by federal, state and local law for encumbrance, payment and recording of financial transactions. The Comptroller periodically prepares formal and informal audit reports and submits them to the County Executive and Legislature with recommended actions to strengthen internal controls, curb expenses, enhance revenues and protect taxpayers’ interests. With the assistance of staff, the Comptroller audits, provides consultation and offers assistance to County departments and outside agencies funded by the County.
The Comptroller’s Office also audits and approves all payments for capital contracts, all payments to vendors, and contracts with outside agencies and contractors, as well as County payrolls. The office ensures all applicable federal, state and local laws are adhered to in the handling of County funds and their application in providing services to the general public. The Comptroller’s Office also reviews internal departmental controls, ensures proper policies and procedures are in place and makes recommendations, when appropriate.
