MONTICELLO — The first meeting this year of the County of Sullivan Industrial Development Agency (IDA) on Monday was live video streamed on the internet for the first time in its 50-year history.

Last year, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed legislation that required IDAs across the state to not only live stream their meetings but to archive them and make them available to the public.

At that time, Cuomo said, “Industrial Development Agencies are tasked with revitalizing communities and fostering economic growth at the local level, but most New Yorkers don't have time to attend meetings and participate in the process.”

The Sullivan IDA ran into some technical difficulties during the first half of the meeting, but they were quickly resolved by the second half.

“You're going to have technical difficulties. I think we'll work out the bugs and make sure it works right,” said IDA Chairman Ira Steingart.

According to IDA Executive Director Jen Flad, the IDA purchased close to $200 of live streaming equipment, which consisted of a webcam and a vintage style microphone that stood tall on the conference room table at the meeting.

The live stream currently is being handled internally by the IDA, which could change in the future. The IDA could hire an outside firm to aid with the live stream.

Currently, The IDA is using the video-sharing platform Youtube to stream and host their videos.

The Mid-Hudson Region—which Sullivan IDA is a part of— provides the some of the highest number of exemptions in the state.

According to the Office of the New York State Comptroller 2019 report, this region granted $174 million in tax exemptions.

UTEP

The IDA may soon review once again their Uniform Tax Exempt Policy (UTEP).

The UTEP lists the definitions and policies which the IDA follows when awarding tax benefits to companies.

Steingart said with new members on the Sullivan County Legislature, it might be a good time to revisit the UTEP policies.

The last time the IDA had a comprehensive UTEP review was in 2013.

“Bring in all the taxing jurisdictions to see if they want to be included,” Steingart told the board.

Previously, towns like Forestburgh and Highland expressed concerns that they should have more of a say on how the IDA calculates its Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) program.

In June, 2019, Forestburgh discussed opting out of the IDA but later tabled the matter at a town board meeting.