After 30 years of leasing and maintaining the Health Services Building in Lyons, Wayne County is paying $5.3 million to assume ownership of the facility from the Town of Lyons, despite not initially owning it.
Although the county has covered construction, maintenance, and utility costs for decades, the building’s title was held by the town due to the financing structure from 30 years ago, according to the Finger Lakes Times.
The building, which needs $8-$10 million in repairs, was expected to transfer to county ownership after bond payments ended.
Instead, the Times reports a compromise set the sale price at $5.3 million, which Lyons Town Supervisor Jim Brady sees as a chance to offset town expenses.
Brady’s dual role as town supervisor and county legislator has sparked ethical questions, as he voted on resolutions approving both the lease and sale agreements. The county’s ethics policies leave recusal decisions up to individual board members.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to news@fingerlakes1.com.