Cayuga County lawmakers will consider millions of dollars in infrastructure spending, changes to employee health insurance and a series of measures tied to staffing shortages at the county jail when the Legislature meets tonight.
The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at the Ward O’Hara Agricultural Museum in Auburn. The agenda also includes presentations on the future of aging services in New York and a proposed countywide economic development strategy, along with a resolution that would authorize litigation to recover more than $15,000 in mechanic’s lien money the county says was mistakenly released earlier this year.
One of the most significant infrastructure measures would accept a $3.15 million Northern Border Regional Commission grant to replace the Deauville Island Bridge at Emerson Park.
The overall project is estimated at $3.93 million, with the federal grant covering 80% of the cost. Cayuga County would be responsible for a $786,660 local match, which could come from the county’s capital reserve or through future borrowing.
The Legislature would also authorize the Parks and Trails Department to begin soliciting bids for the bridge replacement.
A separate resolution would authorize another $590,000 in remaining American Rescue Plan Act funding for improvements at Emerson Park. Those projects include up to $300,000 for a main parking lot extension, $83,000 for fill on Deauville Island, $60,000 for new entrance signs, $60,000 for Fleming parking design, and additional work involving sidewalks, shelters, a pavilion furnace and the wastewater system.
The projects would have to be completed by the end of 2026 or return to the Legislature for additional authorization.
Lawmakers will also consider extending A&M Catering’s management agreement for the Emerson Park Pavilion through 2028. Under the proposed agreement, the company would pay the county $150,000 in 2027 and $175,000 in 2028 to operate hospitality and catering services at the facility. County officials expect to issue a new request for proposals for the period beginning in 2029.
Another proposal would spend up to $35,070 to replace a 2006 Kawasaki utility vehicle used by the Parks and Trails Department.
Jail vacancies continue to drive costs
Several public safety resolutions stem directly from persistent staffing shortages at the Cayuga County Jail.
The Legislature will vote on authorization to fill three vacant custody officer positions created by retirements at the end of July. County officials said during last week’s Ways and Means Committee meeting that those openings come on top of existing vacancies, leaving the jail with a significant recruitment problem.
Another resolution would transfer $80,000 from the jail’s health insurance account into its overtime budget because vacancies have driven overtime spending beyond the amount originally budgeted.
The same staffing problem has forced the county to close a pod previously used for female incarcerated individuals.
A resolution before lawmakers would transfer $35,000 from professional services to pay other jails to house those women until Cayuga County has enough staffing capacity to reopen the pod.
The Sheriff’s Office is also seeking authorization to fill two vacant road patrol deputy positions and a vacant fiscal officer job.
The fiscal officer position has a hiring range of $60,415 to $81,739. The proposal would also allow the previous employee to provide up to 100 hours of transition and training work at $41.14 per hour.
Three part-time emergency services dispatcher positions are also on the agenda, along with vacant part-time deputy fire coordinator and fire investigator positions.
New county hires could face different health insurance
Lawmakers will also vote on a significant change to health insurance for newly hired non-bargaining employees.
Beginning Jan. 1, 2027, anyone newly hired by Cayuga County into a non-bargaining position would be required to choose among three high-deductible plans offered through the Cayuga County Health Insurance Consortium.
The plans are designated Gold, Silver and Bronze.
Current non-bargaining employees would not be required to switch, although they could voluntarily select one of the new plans during open enrollment.
Cayuga County would contribute to health savings accounts for employees enrolled in the high-deductible plans.
Annual county contributions would range from $540 for individual Gold coverage to $4,200 for family coverage under the Bronze plan.
County officials have described the change as an effort to control rapidly rising health insurance costs while creating options that could also lower premiums for some employees.
Economic development strategy heads to vote
Economic development will take up another significant portion of Tuesday’s meeting.
Representatives from 4ward Planning are scheduled to present to lawmakers before the Legislature votes on awarding the firm a contract worth up to $65,000 to develop a countywide economic development strategy.
The county budgeted $150,000 for economic development initiatives this year and previously authorized as much as $70,000 of that amount for the strategic plan.
County officials issued a request for proposals in April and determined 4ward Planning offered the proposal that best fit Cayuga County’s needs.
The strategy is expected to involve input from economic development organizations throughout the county and build on existing planning efforts.
New York State Office for the Aging Director Greg Olsen is also scheduled to address legislators about the future of aging services in New York.
County could sue over mistakenly released money
Another unusual resolution would authorize Cayuga County to hire outside counsel and begin litigation to recover $15,600.05 in mechanic’s lien funds that officials say were mistakenly released.
According to the proposed resolution, Timothy A. Reilly, doing business as Reilly Enterprises, filed a $15,625 mechanic’s lien in January against property at 24 Fitch Ave. in Auburn.
About $15,600 was subsequently deposited with the County Clerk in connection with the lien.
The county says that money was mistakenly released to Reilly on April 28 without a court order, settlement or other authorization permitting the payment.
Officials demanded repayment in early May. The resolution says counsel for Reilly indicated in June that the money would be returned, but that had not happened as of the resolution’s preparation.
Cayuga County deposited $15,918.42 in taxpayer money into the associated court and trust account after the error to meet its legal obligations.
If approved, the County Attorney could retain outside counsel and pursue recovery of the original $15,600.05, along with interest and other recoverable costs.
Public health director salary, mental health and grants also on agenda
The Legislature will also consider reappointing Kathleen Cuddy as Cayuga County’s public health director and establishing a multiyear salary schedule.
The proposal would set her salary at $120,000 for the first year beginning Aug. 26, increasing annually to $135,769 for the year beginning in August 2031.
Several Health and Human Services measures are also scheduled for votes.
They include accepting another $200,000 through the state Septic System Replacement Fund, $110,709 in state aid for the Children’s Single Point of Access mental health program and $330,769 for family-centered case management.
Another $300,000 in federal Flexible Fund for Family Services money would support employment and other services for eligible families.
The county is also proposing a $137,163 contract with Community Action Programs Cayuga/Seneca for federally funded outreach and intake work connected to the Home Energy Assistance Program.
The District Attorney’s Office could receive $186,028 through the state STRIVE program targeting intimate partner violence and another $72,825 through the Gun Involved Violence Elimination initiative.
A separate state Office of Victim Services grant would allow the District Attorney’s Office to create another full-time victim witness program coordinator position.
Lawmakers will also consider $168,000 in remaining Statewide Interoperable Communications Grant funding for emergency communications equipment.
County administrator consulting proposal remains tabled
The agenda also carries a previously tabled proposal involving Pracademic Partners and the possible creation of a county administrator position.
The resolution would authorize as much as $52,500 for an organizational assessment, advisory work and executive recruitment services.
It was tabled at the Legislature’s June meeting and remains listed among tabled resolutions for Tuesday, meaning it has not yet been approved.
The Legislature could take additional action on the proposal if members choose to bring it back for consideration.
Tuesday’s agenda also includes appointments, public comment and a number of smaller contracts, grants and budget adjustments.
The Legislature’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Sept. 22.
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