[Amended 7-16-2019 by L.L. No. 4-2019]
A. 
There shall be a Comptroller, who shall be elected from the County at large in each odd-numbered year in which a County Executive is not chosen for a term of four years beginning with the first day of January next following his or her election. At the time of his or her nomination and election, and throughout his or her term of office, the Comptroller shall be and remain a qualified elector of Ulster County.
B. 
No person shall serve as Comptroller for more than three full terms, unless he or she has filled an unexpired term prior thereto. For the purpose of establishing the term limit, term of office shall be calculated beginning the first day of his or her first full term of office after the effective date hereof.
[Amended 8-14-2012 by L.L. No. 9-2012[1]]
The Comptroller shall be the chief auditing officer of the County. Except as may otherwise be provided in this Charter he or she shall:
A. 
Examine, audit, and verify all books, records, and accounts kept by the administrative units, offices and officials paid from County funds, institutions and other agencies of the County, including bond and note registers and trust accounts, and the accrual and collection of all County revenues and receipts, and for this purpose have access to all such books, records, and accounts at any time except where precluded by law. The Comptroller shall prepare an annual audit report including a risk assessment of the accounting methods utilized by the County, and shall submit a copy of the report to the County Legislature and the County Executive by April 1 of each year;
B. 
Procure from the depositories with which the Commissioner of Finance shall have deposited the funds and monies coming into the Comptroller's possession statements, at least monthly, of all monies deposited by the Commissioner of Finance or paid out pursuant to the Comptroller's order, and reconcile such statements with the County accounts;
C. 
Audit records of appropriations, encumbrances and expenditures, and prescribe generally accepted government accounting methods to be used by all units of County government, unless otherwise required by the State Comptroller;
D. 
Certify the availability of funds for all requisitions, contracts, purchase orders and other documents by which the County incurs financial obligations or for the expenditure of funds for which the County is responsible;
E. 
Prescribe the form for records of appropriation, encumbrances, and expenditures for all units of County government, receipts, vouchers, bills and claims, unless otherwise required by the State Comptroller;
F. 
Audit and certify for payment all lawful claims or charges against the County, whether for payroll or otherwise, or against funds for which the County is responsible in whole or in part;
G. 
As he or she determines necessary or appropriate, audit any department, program or function of County government to assess the degree to which its operation is economical, efficient and/or effective;
H. 
To conduct studies and investigations in furtherance of his or her functions and, in connection therewith, to obtain and employ professional and technical advice, appoint citizens' committees, commissions and boards, subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, and require the production of books, papers and other evidence deemed necessary or material to such studies or investigations. A subpoena issued under this section shall be regulated by the Civil Practice Law and Rules together with any state or federal laws or rules that may be applicable. The subpoena shall not extend to disclose the identity or jeopardize the safety of victims, confidential informants, witnesses, and undercover officers or operatives;
I. 
Submit to the County Legislature and Executive, and post on the County website as frequently as he or she deems necessary, but at least quarter-annually, reports on the financial condition of the County and the economy, efficiency and/or effectiveness with which the County government or any of its departments, agencies or programs is managed;
J. 
Have all the powers and perform all the duties conferred or imposed by law upon a county comptroller, and perform such other related duties required by the County Executive or County Legislature.
[1]
Editor's Note: This local law was approved at referendum by a majority of the duly qualified voters 11-6-2012.
The Comptroller shall have the power to appoint such Deputy Comptrollers, assistants and employees in his or her office as shall be authorized by the County Legislature. All such appointees shall be qualified by education and/or experience and shall be directly responsible to, and serve at the pleasure of, the Comptroller, subject to applicable law.
The Comptroller shall designate in writing, and in order of succession, the Deputy Comptrollers and assistants who shall be Acting Comptroller in the event of his or her absence from the County or inability to perform and exercise the powers and duties of this office. Such designation shall be filed with the County Clerk and the Clerk of the County Legislature and may be revoked at any time by the Comptroller filing a new written designation and order of succession. The Acting Comptroller shall have all the powers and perform all the duties of the Comptroller.
[Amended 8-14-2012 by L.L. No. 9-2012[1]]
A. 
Filling Comptroller vacancy. If a vacancy occurs in the office of the Comptroller of Ulster County for any reason other than the expiration of a term, the County Legislature shall fill this office ad interim by the appointing of a person fully qualified by law to hold that office by a majority of its full number at its next regularly scheduled session or at a special session held for the purpose, and any such session shall be held no sooner than two weeks after the vacancy occurs, and no later than one month after the vacancy occurs.
B. 
Appointee to serve on interim basis. A person appointed by the Legislature in this manner to fill an office ad interim shall serve until the end of the 31st day of December following the first general election day at which a general election may be held under law to fill this position.
C. 
Election; person to serve for duration of unexpired term. The person chosen at general election, held as soon as practicable on a general election day under state law to fill a vacancy in the position of the Comptroller of Ulster County, shall serve for the duration of the unexpired term of the office.
[1]
Editor's Note: This local law was approved at referendum by a majority of the duly qualified voters 11-6-2012.