Cayuga County legislators met Tuesday for a wide-ranging Ways and Means Committee meeting and a follow-up Special Ways and Means session focused on amending the 2026 tentative county budget. The evening included departmental updates, budget discussions, and approval of numerous routine year-end resolutions.
Legislators reviewed a total of 11 resolutions, and heard presentations from department heads. They also began budget deliberations ahead of a Nov. 24 vote on the committee’s final recommendations to the full Legislature.
Budget adjustments and personnel changes
In the special session, legislators reviewed proposed amendments to the 2026 tentative budget, which had been filed with the clerk of the Legislature. Legislator Daly introduced a key amendment to increase projected revenue for highway snow plowing contracts with the state from $550,000 to $750,000. The proposal included restoring a Motor Equipment Operator (MEO) position in the highway department, which had been cut from the tentative budget. The funding for the position—estimated at $71,187 with benefits—would be covered by the increased revenue, leaving a surplus of approximately $129,000 to reduce the department’s reliance on its fund balance.
Two other budget amendments were also approved:
- Legislator Hans Pecher introduced an amendment to restore a third security guard position in the Department of Social Services (DSS) budget. The position had been slated for elimination. The $67,000 cost would be funded half through DSS administration reimbursements and half through increased projections for departmental salary savings.
- Legislator Tom Muldoon proposed an amendment to update revenue and expenses for a new School Resource Officer (SRO) position in the Sheriff’s Office for the Moravia Central School District. The position had been approved, but was not fully reflected in the tentative budget. The update adds $70,000 in revenue and $21,500 in expenses, resulting in a $48,500 increase to available funds.
Department head reports and staffing updates
Department heads shared brief reports prior to the budget discussion:
- County Treasurer David Dempsey thanked legislators for approving an early hire to train alongside a longtime employee before retirement. He reported the new hire is performing well.
- Finance Director Grace Blowers reported sales tax collections were 2.18% above the previous year and projected that 2025 revenue could fall approximately $100,000 short of the budgeted amount. She also announced the hire of a new accountant with prior county experience.
- Real Property Director Jennifer Indelicato asked legislators to consider restoring a part-time Senior GIS Specialist position cut from the budget. She warned that workload issues could lead to delays and public complaints.
Contracts and resolutions approved
Legislators unanimously approved a series of resolutions during the Ways and Means session, including:
- Renewing a municipal agreement with the City of Auburn, Cayuga Community College, and the Soil and Water Conservation District.
- Renewing a two-year agreement with the NYS Municipal Workers’ Compensation Alliance.
- Closing completed capital projects.
- Extending the county’s audit agreement with Drescher and Malecki for five years, after rejecting a proposed amendment to reduce the term to three years.
- Approving annual tax levies and administrative authorizations, including corrections of tax errors, the levy of omitted taxes, and allocation of mortgage tax payments.
Public Works and Health and Human Services resolutions
The committee approved four Public Works resolutions, including:
- Creating a full-time laborer position while eliminating a building maintenance mechanic and part-time laborer position.
- Renewing an HVAC service agreement with PASCO Building Automation.
- Approving a supplemental snow plowing agreement with the New York State Department of Transportation.
- Advancing an RFP/RFI resolution related to 160 Genesee Street after initial confusion about whether a resolution was required.
Health and Human Services Chair Heidi Nightengale presented several resolutions, including approvals for staffing actions in the WIC program and Public Health Department, and authorizations for contracts related to rabies treatment, behavioral health services for child welfare, and psychologist assessments. Legislators also approved a resolution to replace outdated DSS IT equipment and amend the Mental Health Department budget to accept $7,277 in state aid.
Planning, government operations, and public safety updates
Planning and Economic Development advanced five resolutions, including approval of the 2025–2029 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) local plan, acceptance of a grant for a recreational equipment rental license at Emerson Park, and authorization to replace a park structure.
Government Operations bundled three resolutions: confirming election worker pay rates for 2025, renewing an agreement with Auctions International, and approving computer hardware purchases by the Chief Information Officer.
Judicial and Public Safety Chair Tom Winslow presented three resolutions: accepting a Next Generation 911 grant, authorizing the sale of a surplus Sheriff’s vehicle, and approving the fill of a part-time emergency services dispatcher vacancy.
Next steps
The Ways and Means Committee is scheduled to vote on its final recommendations for the 2026 budget on Nov. 24. A public hearing on the tentative budget is scheduled for early December, with a final budget vote expected at the last legislative meeting of the year.
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