The Yates County Legislature convened for its regular session on September 11. The meeting, which honored the victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks with a moment of silence, featured discussions on public safety, health initiatives, and key budget allocations.
Among the resolutions passed was the adoption of the Yates County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) 2024 update. The plan aims to improve disaster preparedness by outlining the roles of various county departments and incorporating the National Incident Management System (NIMS) for better coordination during emergencies. Chairwoman Church emphasized the importance of enhancing the county’s ability to respond to disasters and return to normal operations swiftly.
In addition, the Legislature approved critical upgrades to the county’s public safety communication system. The Sherman, Shay Road, and South Hill tower sites will receive updates to meet Motorola’s R56 electrical grounding standard, ensuring more reliable communication during emergencies. The project’s supplier, Kaplan-Schmidt Electric, Inc., was authorized to complete the upgrades at a cost of $15,346.75.
Public health initiatives were also at the forefront, with the Legislature approving a contract with Health Research, Inc. to receive $1,052,099 in grant funding from the New York State Department of Health Emergency Preparedness Program. The grant will be used to bolster the county’s public health emergency preparedness from July 2024 through June 2025, with $52,099 allocated directly to Yates County.
The Legislature also took steps to promote employee well-being by approving agreements with the Yates Community Center and Finger Lakes Fitness Center. These agreements will offer discounted memberships to county employees, encouraging health and fitness with no financial burden on the county.
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