Ulster County Budget Director Artur Smith Set to Retire

Jan 19th, 2012 | By HV Insider | Category: Featured Articles

ULSTER COUNTY EXECUTIVE MIKE HEIN ANNOUNCES THE RETIREMENT OF BUDGET DIRECTOR ARTHUR J. SMITH

Ulster County Budget Director Arthur J. Smith has announced his intention to retire after more than 30 years of invaluable service to the people of Ulster County. Art began his career with the County in June of 1981, the year in which the County Administrator’s office was first established. He has served in numerous capacities, including County Administrator, County Budget Director and Deputy County Executive.

“Art’s technical knowledge and bipartisan approach helped him to establish excellent relationships with County Legislators as well as Department Heads and staff in every County department, which has served Ulster County well. Art’s expertise, insight and institutional knowledge will have lasting effects,” said County Executive Hein. “I am pleased that he delayed his retirement in order to help establish the office of the Budget Director. Having the opportunity to work closely with Art for almost a decade has been a privilege, as he is truly a public servant. I am proud that Art is and will remain a dear friend.”

County Executive Hein also announced that he will appoint James J. Hanson, known as JJ and currently the Deputy Budget Director, to the position of Budget Director upon Art’s retirement.

“It has been incredibly rewarding to work with County Executive Hein. In fact, while I had planned to retire for some time, I postponed my retirement numerous times so that I could remain through his entire first term,” said Art Smith. “I will truly miss serving as Budget Director in the County Executive’s administration, but knowing that he is appointing someone of the caliber of JJ Hanson has made this decision much easier. I have had the pleasure to observe JJ’s work ethic over the past 18 months and I know that he will do an excellent job continuing to implement the County Executive’s vision for Ulster County.”

JJ holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the Nelson A. Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy at SUNY Albany and a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science and International Studies from Wilkes University. He has been the Deputy Budget Director since 2010. Prior to working for Ulster County, JJ was the Director of Regional Affairs for the New York State Governor’s Office. He resides in Stone Ridge with his wife Kristen.

Lisa Cutten, currently Senior Auditor in the Ulster County Comptroller’s office, will be appointed Deputy Budget Director for the County. She is a Certified Public Accountant and served as the Ulster County Auditor from 2006 – 2008.