Cayuga County’s Ways and Means Committee met Tuesday to discuss a range of financial and policy matters, including tourism tax revenue, retiree health insurance savings, and a land transfer for a municipal building project. The committee also advanced multiple resolutions, including funding for public health initiatives and vehicle purchases for the sheriff’s department.
One of the key discussions centered on the county’s occupancy tax and short-term rental registry. Officials outlined plans to ensure that all short-term rentals, including those listed on Airbnb and VRBO, are properly registered and taxed. Currently, some online rental platforms voluntarily collect and remit taxes, but not all operators comply. The county is working on an amendment to its local law that would require all short-term rentals to collect the tax. Officials noted that revenue from the hotel and short-term rental tax has increased substantially in recent years, surpassing $1 million last year, with a portion of the funds allocated to the tourism board.
Officials said they are still working to determine the full impact of the registry on tax revenue and compliance. Some legislators questioned how much money is going to the tourism board, while others pointed out that maintaining the registry would require additional county resources. The discussion is expected to continue in the coming months as officials finalize the law’s implementation.
The committee also reviewed an effort to move retired county employees onto Medicare Advantage plans as a cost-saving measure. The county held an informational breakfast last year to educate retirees on the switch, and officials said it resulted in 41 retirees transitioning to Medicare Advantage. The switch is expected to save the county approximately $200,000 annually in insurance premiums, while also saving the retirees a combined $100,000 in premium costs. Officials called the effort a success and suggested it should be repeated in the future to encourage more retirees to make the switch.
The county’s sales tax revenue for February was reported to be 4% higher than the same time last year. However, the final numbers for 2024 showed that sales tax revenue fell $270,000 short of budget projections. Despite this shortfall, the county ended the year ahead of expectations due to higher-than-budgeted interest income, which exceeded projections by $1.3 million.
In other business, the committee approved multiple resolutions, including a settlement agreement related to a housing development in Aurelius, an agreement with the state Department of Transportation to transfer land for a municipal building in Brutus, and an extension of a contract with Auctions International for online property sales.
The committee also addressed resolutions from the Health and Human Services Department. Legislators approved funding from the New York State Office of Mental Health to support court-based mental health navigators, who will work with individuals involved in the legal system. Another resolution authorized the county to accept a state grant to support adult protective services, with the goal of enhancing care for vulnerable adults.
A separate discussion focused on funding for respite care beds, which the county contracts for through a local service provider. The program, which costs $344,000 annually, provides temporary housing for individuals in need of emergency respite care. Legislators requested periodic updates on how often the beds are being used to ensure the funding is justified.
The committee also authorized the purchase of several new vehicles for the sheriff’s department, including three marked patrol cars, an unmarked vehicle, and two high-mileage vehicle replacements. Additionally, officials approved an agreement to provide substance abuse counseling at the county jail. Sheriff Brian Schenck also warned that a recent Federal Communications Commission decision could jeopardize revenue the county receives from inmate phone calls, which helps fund jail services.
The committee approved a contract with Robust Elections Inc. for the purchase of new electronic poll books, funded through an unbudgeted state grant.
The Planning Committee introduced multiple resolutions, including agreements for harmful algal bloom monitoring in Owasco and Cayuga lakes, a public hearing on repairs at Emerson Park Pavilion, and the hiring of seasonal parks staff.
The next full meeting of the Cayuga County Legislature is scheduled for later this month, where several of the committee’s resolutions will go before the full board for final approval.
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 [email protected].