The Yates County Legislature will meet Monday at 1 p.m. to hold its regular monthly session, which includes a public hearing on a proposed local law to override the state’s real property tax levy limit for the 2026 budget year.
The hearing on Local Law No. 1-2025, titled “A Local Law to Override the Tax Levy Limit Established in General Municipal Law Section 3-c,” is scheduled during the legislative session at 417 Liberty St. and will be accessible via Zoom.
The proposed law would authorize the Legislature to adopt a budget requiring a property tax levy increase that exceeds the state-imposed cap. The law cites Section 3-c of the General Municipal Law, which allows local governments to override the tax cap with approval by at least 60 percent of the legislative body.
In addition to the public hearing, the Legislature is slated to vote on more than 40 resolutions covering staffing, contract approvals, commemorations, budget transfers, and infrastructure matters.
Budget, Personnel, and Contracts
The Legislature will consider adopting the 2025 Non-Union Non-Exempt and Exempt Employee Wage and Salary Schedules, which update pay rates for numerous county positions, including department heads and elected officials.
Several staffing changes are on the agenda. Resolutions propose the creation and filling of multiple full-time positions, including a caseworker trainee for the Court-Based Navigator Program, an account clerk typist in Emergency Services, and a principal account clerk typist in the Finance Department.
The Sheriff is requesting authorization to fill a full-time Deputy Sheriff Lieutenant position and to create a temporary correction officer position. A Memorandum of Understanding involving a lateral hire from another agency is also up for approval.
Contractual items include a five-year polygraph services agreement with Apex Polygraph Services, LLC, and a service agreement for emergency notification software from Singlewire Software. The Legislature is also scheduled to vote on multiple state-funded grant contracts and amendments related to public defense, workforce development, and social services.
Infrastructure and Facilities
The Legislature will vote on awarding bids for vegetation control and cleaning services at the Torrey Landfill. Resolutions also address mowing agreements with local towns, surplus equipment declarations, and amendments to inspection services for ongoing facility projects.
Notably, the Legislature will ratify non-disclosure agreements related to architectural and engineering proposals for the county’s new Public Safety Facility.
Public Health and Safety
A resolution would formally establish the Yates County Health District and appoint members to a newly formed Board of Health, replacing the existing advisory board. The appointments include health professionals, community members, and county officials, with staggered terms ranging from one to six years.
The Legislature is also expected to proclaim May as Mental Health Month and recognize various national observances, including National Correctional Officers’ Week, Peace Officers’ Memorial Day, National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, and National Public Safety Telecommunications Week.
Policy and Legislative Actions
In addition to the local law override proposal, a resolution on the agenda seeks to formally adopt the updated 2025 Yates County Multi-Hazard Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. Another resolution aims to adopt revised bylaws for the county’s Tourism Advisory Committee.
Among the policy-related items is a letter of support from the Chair of the Legislature advocating for higher Medicaid reimbursement rates for Emergency Medical Services in Yates County.
Meeting Access and Participation
The meeting will be held in person and via Zoom. Members of the public may attend and comment during designated periods. Login details and the full agenda are available on the county’s website and public notice documents.
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