From modernizing mental health services to preparing communities for new federal floodplain regulations, Seneca County supervisors advanced several long-term initiatives during Tuesday’s committee meetings while also debating staffing requests and infrastructure projects that will come before the full Board of Supervisors.
Among the most significant discussions were plans to centralize floodplain management services for local municipalities, improve the county’s mental health electronic records system, and seek additional funding for major wastewater improvements at the Willard treatment plant.
County expands floodplain management services
The Contracts, Procurement and Negotiations Committee approved an agreement allowing Seneca County Code Enforcement to provide floodplain management services for the Town of Varick, making it the fourth municipality to partner with the county after Tyre, Ovid and Fayette.
County officials said the arrangement is designed to help municipalities comply with Federal Emergency Management Agency and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation requirements tied to the National Flood Insurance Program.
Code Enforcement Director Lee Earp told supervisors the county already has trained staff in place and believes a centralized approach will save municipalities from hiring and training their own floodplain administrators.
Davidson said county officials intentionally delayed adding staff until they better understood the scope of the new responsibilities, noting that final FEMA flood maps have not yet been released despite originally being expected earlier this year.
Several supervisors questioned whether the county has enough staff to absorb additional municipalities, but Earp said the department would evaluate future staffing needs only after the workload becomes clearer.
Mental health department prepares for new electronic records system
Supervisors also approved a consulting agreement with CCSI to help the Seneca County Mental Health Department prepare for implementation of a new electronic health record system.
Director of Community Services Margaret Morse said the county is currently evaluating proposals from vendors and expects to select a new system by mid-July.
Rather than simply transferring existing practices into a new platform, Morse said outside consultants will review every step of the department’s operations—from intake and front office procedures through treatment and discharge planning—to identify inefficient workflows before the transition begins.
The consulting project will be funded entirely through opioid settlement dollars at no cost to county taxpayers.
“It’s readiness for the implementation and the migration of our current services into a new system,” Morse said. “We want to make sure that we are not bringing over ineffective or inefficient practices.”
Public works projects continue moving ahead
The Public Works and Infrastructure Committee recommended several projects for approval.
Highway Superintendent Roy Gates received support to trade a roller purchased in 2023 for two smaller rollers through Milton CAT at no additional cost to the county after describing the current equipment as unsuitable for the department’s needs.
Supervisors also approved submitting applications for additional funding through the New York Water Infrastructure Improvement Act and Clean Water State Revolving Fund for improvements at the Willard Wastewater Treatment Plant.
County officials noted the project has already secured nearly $30 million in outside funding and hopes additional grants will further reduce local costs.
The committee also endorsed a three-year agreement with VRC Companies LLC for document shredding services at the County Office Building, Law Enforcement Center and Health and Human Services Building.
Staffing requests generate discussion
The Human Resources Committee approved several personnel actions, including promotions within the Code Enforcement Department tied to expanding floodplain responsibilities.
Supervisors approved reclassifying two Code Enforcement Officer positions to Senior Code Enforcement Officer positions and authorized filling vacancies in code enforcement, mental health, highway, emergency communications, finance, the regional airport and human services.
The Sheriff’s Office generated the longest staffing discussion.
Committee members approved filling a civil sergeant position and a school resource officer vacancy but declined to recommend immediately filling one deputy sheriff position after several supervisors argued the incoming sheriff should determine future patrol staffing needs.
The committee also approved filling a corrections officer position following a lengthy debate over staffing levels at the jail.
Undersheriff Melissa Marquart said the department’s immediate need is for additional female corrections officers to satisfy state staffing requirements, particularly on overnight shifts where mandatory overtime has become common.
Supervisors questioned why additional female staffing needs remain despite recent hiring efforts, while Chohan responded that the department can only hire qualified applicants who complete the civil service process and academy training.
Grant funding and tourism support move forward
The Health and Human Services Committee approved acceptance of a $52,099 Public Health Emergency Preparedness grant from the New York State Department of Health.
Public Health Director Vickie Swinehart said the funding supports emergency preparedness planning, staff training and participation in the Finger Lakes Public Health Alliance, while also helping offset salary and operational costs.
She also announced the department plans to conduct a public emergency preparedness exercise Aug. 15 by distributing tick removal kits and emergency preparedness materials through a drive-through operation designed to test the county’s emergency dispensing capabilities.
Meanwhile, the Economic Development, Tourism and Housing Committee approved a $2,500 Tourism Promotion and Development Grant for Seneca Lake Resorts to support its annual Fourth of July fireworks display.
Supervisors also approved accepting a $15,000 state grant from New York’s 250th Commemoration Commission to support Revolutionary War-related exhibits, student programming and preservation projects throughout Seneca County.
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