POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — Soon-to-be former Dutchess County Legislature Chairman Gregg Pulver may have lost his bid for re-election, but that doesn’t mean he’ll be leaving county government.
Outgoing County Executive William FX O’Neil on Monday announced he has appointed Pulver, R-Pine Plains, to be the next county comptroller.
If confirmed by the Legislature, Pulver will replace Democrat Robin Lois, who is stepping down on Dec. 30 to become deputy comptroller of Local Government and School Accountability in the New York State Comptroller’s Office.
Pulver has been a county legislator for 10 years and chairman of the Legislature for six years.
He lost his re-election bid earlier this month to Democrat Chris Drago in a 1,942-1,882 vote.
O’Neil was appointed county executive in January 2023, following the resignation of former County Executive Marc Molinaro who was elected to the US Congress’ District 19 seat.
O’Neil, who did not run for election to the seat, will step down on Dec. 31. Republican Sue Serino will assume the post on Jan. 1.
“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,” O’Neil stated in a press release announcing Pulver’s appointment. “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 our residents.
“We are fortunate to have someone with a proven track record of conservative fiscal stewardship overseeing this vital role,” he said.
According to the county charter, the comptroller is the chief accounting and auditing officer of the county. The comptroller approves all payments for capital contracts and to vendors and approves all contracts with outside agencies and contractors. The comptroller also audits the financial records and accounts of all units of county government as well as those programs and services provided by outside agencies but funded by county government.
Pulver’s appointment will take effect on Dec. 31 and will run through Dec. 31, 2024.
An election will be held in November 2024 to fill out the remainder of Lois’ unexpired four-year term. An election will be held in November 2025 for a full four-year term in office.
Under the county charter, the comptroller can serve no more than three four-year terms.
The Republican-led Legislature on Nov. 15 adopted an amendment to the proposed 2024 county budget that would raise the salaries of all county elected officials.
The county comptroller’s annual salary is $112,480. As chairman of the Legislature, Pulver is paid $34,967.
