The Yates County Legislature held its regular session on Monday, Sept. 10, addressing a range of issues from public concerns over immigration enforcement to infrastructure improvements and a series of departmental resolutions.
The meeting opened with Chairwoman Leslie Church recognizing the 24th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Church led a moment of silence in honor of the 2,874 victims.
Sheriff’s office recognized for civil accreditation
Peter Kehoe, Executive Director of the New York State Sheriff’s Association, presented a plaque to Sheriff Spike Ryan and Undersheriff Jason Jensen, commending the department’s recent Civil Accreditation achievement. Only 31 of New York’s 62 counties have earned this status, which joins their existing Jail Accreditation.
Kehoe noted that the process requires compliance with 121 standards developed by experts in civil process. Civil Clerk Jean Hubbel-Lenton, Lt. Kevin Campbell, Sgt. Chad Daggett, and Deputy Chad Betts were recognized for their contributions.
Public comment: Immigration enforcement and community response
Several community members, including representatives of the Penn Yan Action Coalition, Yates County Progressives, and other advocacy groups, voiced concerns over a recent immigration enforcement operation on Sept. 4. Attendees alleged that local law enforcement assisted federal agents in detaining workers at The Nutrition Bar Confectioners plant.
Peter Salva and Allison Stewart, Chair of the Yates County Progressives, requested that the Legislature adopt policies limiting local law enforcement’s involvement in immigration enforcement and reject any 287(g) agreements with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Jack Ossent and Peter Gamba also spoke, urging the county to consider the broader civil rights implications of such collaborations.
Chairwoman Church clarified during the meeting that there are no plans to increase the county’s “bed tax” to 5%, addressing concerns raised by resident Annette Toastburn.
Resolutions passed
The Legislature unanimously approved over two dozen resolutions. Notable actions included:
- Public safety agreements: Approval of inmate housing contracts with Seneca and Steuben counties; authorization for the Sheriff and Legislature Chair to sign a training services contract with Lexipol for $5,740.23 annually.
- New positions and personnel changes: Creation of a part-time Special Patrol Officer position to allow Rick Simpson to continue serving as the Dundee Central School District’s School Resource Officer. A full-time Assistant Public Defender position was also approved, funded through the Hurrell-Harring grant.
- Wage and salary amendments: Updates to non-union salary schedules to reflect new positions and responsibilities, including the Special Patrol Officer role.
- Highway and infrastructure projects:
- Authorization for C&S Engineers to submit the new highway facility project for an Engineering Excellence Award.
- Approval of a $69,700 contract with Barton and Loguidice for design and engineering services related to culvert replacement on Pre-emption Road in Bellona.
- Amendment of a previous contract with C&S Engineers, increasing the not-to-exceed amount to $1,923,484 to accommodate additional scope.
- Public health and social services:
- Acceptance of a $1,052,099 Emergency Preparedness Grant from the New York State Department of Health, with $52,099 allocated for county use.
- Appropriations of grant and aid funds for Veterans Services, Records Management, Community Services, and Social Services.
- Environmental and agricultural policy: The Legislature voted to send a letter opposing large utility-scale solar development on prime farmland in Yates County. Mr. Button requested that the resolution be shared with the New York State Farm Bureau.
Contracts and appropriations
- A three-year, $400/month garbage and recycling collection contract was awarded to K&D Disposal Inc.
- The Legislature accepted high bids for tax-acquired properties following the 2025 tax auction.
- A contract extension with Magee Transportation Services for leachate hauling was approved, with a revised rate of $149.21 per 1,000 gallons.
- The county will continue snow and ice removal agreements with townships for the 2025–26 winter season.
Community proclamations
The Legislature passed several proclamations, including:
- Recognizing Sept. 11, 2025, as Patriot Day in Yates County.
- Proclaiming Sept. 18 as the U.S. Air Force Birthday and Oct. 13 as the U.S. Navy Birthday.
- Designating September as National Suicide Prevention Month.
- Commemorating Sept. 14, 2025, as the 60th Anniversary of Pro Action of Steuben and Yates, Inc.
Chairwoman Church presented a copy of the anniversary resolution to Pro Action representatives during the meeting.
Future actions and discussions
- Ms. Purdy reported that a new Executive Director is expected to be appointed to the Finger Lakes Workforce Agency at the next Workforce Investment Board meeting.
- Mr. Killen, Ms. Flynn, and Chairwoman Church shared insights from the recent New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) seminar, including discussions on agriculture, environmental impacts of solar energy, and Medicaid funding challenges.
The meeting concluded with a roll call vote to amend a contract with C&S Engineers, which passed with 11 votes in favor and one dissenting vote from Mr. Button.
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