Cayuga County Legislature Chair Aileen McNabb Coleman appeared on Inside Government with Guy Cosentino to address the county’s recent challenges, including budget shortfalls and the ongoing closure of the County Office Building due to asbestos concerns. Coleman, re-elected as chair last November, leads a Democratic majority in the 11-member legislature and has steered the county through significant issues, from economic redevelopment to crisis management.
In spring, the County Office Building was shuttered after asbestos-containing vermiculite was found in the structure, prompting a lengthy remediation plan. The building closure, projected to last two years, led the Legislature to secure a temporary space at 63 Genesee Street, the former Marine Midland/HSBC building, at a cost of $29,000 per month. The building is owned by former county legislator Grant Kyle’s family business, KyleCroft Development, with an option for an extended lease.
The move adds strain to the county’s budget, already facing a multi-million-dollar deficit. Coleman noted that the added expense compounds financial challenges, forcing legislators to consider difficult budget measures. To address the widening budget gap, the Legislature has scheduled a public hearing to discuss a possible override of the state’s tax cap, which could help bridge the shortfall.
In addition to the budget and building concerns, Coleman and Cosentino discussed local economic development and the upcoming priorities for Cayuga County following the recent election results.
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