Yates County lawmakers will consider a wide-ranging agenda Monday that includes a warning about potentially significant new SNAP costs, changes within the county’s emergency services leadership, expansion of its broadband network and a five-year capital plan totaling more than $40 million.
The Yates County Legislature will meet at 6 p.m. Aug. 10 at the County Office Building in Penn Yan. Southern Tier Network CEO Jeff Gasper is also scheduled to address lawmakers before the Legislature moves into more than two dozen resolutions.
Among the most consequential proposals is a resolution calling on Congress to delay for two years federal changes that would shift more of the cost of administering the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, onto states and counties.
County officials estimate the administrative change alone could cost Yates County about $140,000 annually.
Under the resolution, lawmakers would argue that changes contained in the federal H.R. 1 legislation reduce the federal government’s share of SNAP administrative expenses from 50% to 25% beginning Oct. 1. Because New York requires counties to administer the program and share its costs, the resolution says the additional nonfederal burden would fall directly on local governments.
The proposal estimates the administrative shift at $168 million annually statewide, including about $57 million for the 57 counties outside New York City.
A separate change beginning in October 2027 would require states to share the cost of SNAP benefits based on payment error rates. The Yates County resolution says New York’s current rate would expose the state to the highest penalty tier and potentially create roughly $1.1 billion in additional annual costs.
Lawmakers would call for both changes to be delayed for two years. If Congress does not act, the county would ask Gov. Kathy Hochul and state lawmakers to cover the additional county costs rather than pass them on to local property taxpayers.
Emergency services transition planned
The Legislature will also consider several resolutions connected to an upcoming leadership change in the Office of Emergency Services.
The county’s director of emergency services is expected to retire effective Sept. 25.
One resolution would authorize the county administrator to fill the director position beginning Sept. 26. The estimated cost of filling the position, including benefits, would be no more than $135,547, depending on health insurance.
Another proposal would create a part-time emergency management coordinator position through the end of 2027 to assist with continuity, transfer institutional knowledge and help train personnel during the transition.
That position would pay $47 per hour, with estimated wages and benefits not exceeding $38,070.
Yates County will also consider extending an agreement with Schuyler County under which the counties share a code enforcement officer. The employee would remain on the Yates County payroll, with Schuyler paying $3,000 annually during the 2027-28 agreement.
Broadband expansion could reach more customers
Two resolutions involve Yates County’s USDA ReConnect broadband network.
Lawmakers will consider requesting a one-year extension from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to complete design, permitting or construction associated with the ReConnect project. The requested extension would not include additional county funding.
A separate agreement would allow Empire Access to extend service from the county-owned network into nearby areas that were not part of the original federally funded service territory.
Empire Access would bear all costs associated with constructing, operating and maintaining those extensions.
The county would have no financial obligation and would instead receive $5 for each customer served in a non-funded service area.
County documents say Empire Access already holds the exclusive right to provide internet service over the ReConnect network.
Five-year capital plan totals $40.4 million
Lawmakers will also vote on the county’s proposed capital improvement plan for 2027 through 2031.
The plan outlines approximately $40.37 million in projects over five years, with about $26.32 million expected from federal and state aid, equipment sales and reserves.
The remaining projected tax levy contribution is approximately $14.05 million.
Highway road projects make up the largest category at nearly $15 million, followed by about $12.1 million in airport improvements.
The plan also includes approximately $4.34 million for highway machinery, $3.42 million for the Sheriff’s Office, $1.87 million for buildings and grounds, $1.66 million for information technology and $1.16 million for emergency services.
The 2027 portion totals about $8.03 million, with nearly 59% expected to be covered by outside aid before other revenues and reserves are counted.
Projects proposed for the first year include $2.7 million for road rehabilitation, $1.63 million for the Ridge Road and Milo Street bridges, $884,300 for highway trucks and heavy equipment and $481,400 for sheriff’s vehicles.
The plan also includes recurring investments in Axon/Taser upgrades and cellphone extraction software for the Sheriff’s Office.
Torrey Landfill study proposed
The county could spend up to $2,100 to determine whether the closed Torrey Landfill is subject to new state greenhouse gas reporting requirements.
Barton & Loguidice advised Yates County that new regulations under 6 NYCRR Part 253 may apply to closed municipal solid waste landfills.
The proposed study would calculate emissions from the Long Point Road site and determine whether the landfill meets thresholds requiring annual reports, emissions monitoring or other documentation.
Penn Yan planning effort gets county support
The Legislature will also consider ratifying a previously signed letter supporting the village of Penn Yan’s application for state funding to update its comprehensive plan.
Penn Yan’s current plan dates to 2016, before much of the investment associated with the Downtown Revitalization Initiative.
County documents say the village is now confronting issues that include housing shortages, aging infrastructure and the need to guide additional development while building on recent downtown investment.
The proposed update would emphasize housing diversity, walkable development, infrastructure, downtown reinvestment and long-term growth.
Election commissioner appointment on agenda
Lawmakers are also scheduled to consider appointing John Christensen as Yates County’s Democratic election commissioner.
Christensen was recommended by the county Democratic Committee and would take office Sept. 1, filling the remainder of the current term through Dec. 31.
The resolution would also appoint him to a subsequent term beginning Jan. 1, 2027, and continuing through the end of 2028, subject to applicable election law.
Other items include a new county employee biometric screening program, cybersecurity software, electric supply from Constellation Energy, snow and ice agreements with towns, airport billing and aircraft tracking services and several appropriations involving opioid settlement money, public health grants and social services funding.
The county will also account for $18,180.52 in second-quarter cannabis tax revenue. Under the proposed allocation, 75% would be divided evenly between the town of Milo and village of Penn Yan, while Yates County would retain $4,545.12.
Public comment is scheduled near both the beginning and end of Monday’s meeting.
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