The Yates County Legislature formally organized for the 2026 legislative year on Jan. 5, approving leadership appointments, reappointments to key administrative posts and a slate of standing committee assignments for the coming term.
Legislators adopted a series of organizational resolutions at their meeting in Penn Yan that established the Legislature’s leadership through the end of 2027. Leslie Church was appointed chair of the Legislature, and Edward Bronson was appointed vice chair, following a nomination and election process conducted that day. Both appointments take effect immediately and run through Dec. 31, 2027.
In addition to electing its presiding officers, the Legislature reappointed several county officials. Emilee D. Miller was reappointed as clerk of the Legislature. Scott P. Falvey was reappointed county attorney for a term running from Jan. 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2027. Jessica L. Mullins was appointed county administrator for the same term and was also reappointed as budget officer. Leigh Battin was appointed director of finance for a term ending Dec. 31, 2027. Matthew Tantillo was reappointed public defender.
The Legislature also approved appointments to several economic development boards. Ryan Hallings of Penn Yan, Janice Gaub of Penn Yan, and Jesse Jayne of Dundee were appointed to serve on the Finger Lakes Economic Development Center (Yates County IDA) Board, the Yates Capital Resource Corp. Board and the Finger Lakes Horizon Economic Development Corp. Each appointment carries a term from Jan. 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2027.
Separately, the Legislature adopted its standing committee structure for 2026, naming chairs, vice chairs and members across five primary committees: Finance, Government Operations, Human Services, Public Safety and Public Works. The committee assignments also include designated oversight responsibilities for a wide range of county departments, boards and advisory bodies, including the Board of Elections, Public Health, Sheriff’s Office, Highway Department and Airport. Additional legislative appointments were made to external boards and councils, such as the Airport Council, Audit Committee, Industrial Development Agency, Soil and Water Conservation District, and Youth programs.
The organizational actions were certified by the Clerk of the Legislature as having been duly adopted at the Jan. 5 meeting.
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