The Yates County Legislature met for its regular session on Sept. 10, unanimously approving 33 resolutions that covered a range of public safety, infrastructure, and fiscal matters. The meeting also included public comment focused on immigration enforcement and transparency in law enforcement actions.
Sheriff’s office recognized for accreditation
Peter Kehoe, executive director of the New York State Sheriffs’ Association, recognized the Yates County Sheriff’s Office for achieving Civil Accreditation, a distinction earned by only 31 of the state’s 62 counties. Kehoe presented a plaque to Sheriff Ron Ryan and Undersheriff Jason Jensen and commended staff including Civil Clerk Jean Hubbel-Lenton, Lieutenant Kevin Campbell, and Sergeant Chad Daggett for meeting 121 standards of civil process.
Public comment highlights immigration concerns
Members of the public addressed recent federal immigration enforcement activity, particularly a Sept. 4 raid at The Nutrition Bar Confectioners plant in which local law enforcement was involved. Representatives from several groups, including the Penn Yan Action Coalition and Yates County Progressives, called on the Legislature and Sheriff’s Department to avoid entering into a 287(g) agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Multiple speakers demanded that the county affirm its commitment to limiting participation in federal immigration enforcement.
Resolutions passed unanimously
All 33 resolutions were adopted unanimously. Key actions included:
- Law enforcement and public safety
- Approval of a $5,740.23 annual service agreement with Lexipol to update law enforcement and corrections training programs (Res. 387-25).
- Renewal of incarcerated individual housing contracts with Seneca and Steuben counties (Res. 388-25 and Res. 389-25).
- Creation of a part-time Special Patrol Officer position to continue school resource duties at Dundee Central School District (Res. 391-25).
- Authorization to fill a full-time Assistant Public Defender position funded through the Hurrell-Harring grant (Res. 392-25), and updates to salary schedules accordingly (Res. 393-25 and Res. 394-25).
- Infrastructure and environment
- Authorization for Barton and Loguidice to provide $69,700 in design services for culvert replacement on Pre-Emption Road (Res. 406-25).
- Amendment of a contract with C&S Engineers to a new total of $1,923,484.00 for added engineering services on the highway, emergency services, and public health facility project (Res. 407-25).
- Surplus declaration of approximately 9,000 cubic yards of asphalt millings from Ferguson Corners and Guyanoga roads (Res. 404-25).
- One-year extension with Magee Transportation Services for leachate hauling at the Torrey Landfill, with a rate increase to $149.21 per thousand gallons (Res. 405-25).
- Contract with K&D Disposal for waste removal at a monthly rate of $400 (Res. 403-25).
- Execution of snow and ice removal contracts with participating townships (Res. 408-25).
- Health and community services
- Execution of a $1,052,099 grant agreement with Health Research Inc. for public health emergency preparedness (Res. 397-25).
- Proclamation of September as Suicide Prevention Month (Res. 401-25).
- Proclamation commemorating the 60th anniversary of Pro Action of Steuben and Yates, Inc. (Res. 402-25).
- Fiscal and administrative actions
- Acceptance of opioid settlement agreements with multiple pharmaceutical companies including Sandoz, Amneal, and Mylan (Res. 417-25 and Res. 418-25).
- Approval of multiple budget transfers and appropriation of unbudgeted aid in departments including Veterans Services, Records Management, Community Services, and Social Services (Res. 410-25 through Res. 416-25).
- Approval of tax auction bids for tax-acquired properties in Barrington, Italy, and Jerusalem (Res. 419-25).
- Commemorative resolutions
- Proclamation of Sept. 11, 2025, as Patriot Day in Yates County (Res. 398-25).
- Proclamations recognizing Sept. 18 as U.S. Air Force Birthday and Oct. 13 as U.S. Navy Birthday (Res. 399-25 and Res. 400-25).
- Letter of opposition to solar development on active farmland (Res. 396-25).
Committee reports and future considerations
Committee updates included concerns over rising Medicaid costs, workforce leadership vacancies, and potential future policy discussions on street safety. Doug Rapalee, Yates County Highway Supervisor, received authorization to submit the new highway facility project for an Engineering Excellence Award.
Cupola restoration and taxation questions
During public comment, Mary Worth provided updates on the Cupola Restoration Project, including a partnership with Keuka College and plans to close on land next week. Another resident raised questions about short-term rental taxes near the lake; Chairwoman Leslie Church clarified that there are no plans to increase the county’s occupancy tax to 5%.
The Legislature’s next regular session has not yet been announced.
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