Yates County legislators will consider $200,000 in additional child care subsidy funding, a behavioral health needs assessment and several staffing requests when they meet Monday, Nov. 9.
The 1 p.m. meeting also includes a proposed $147,466 building equipment replacement, changes to tax payment processing and the distribution of more than $341,000 in mortgage tax revenue to local municipalities.
Public comment is scheduled near the beginning and end of the meeting, and residents can join Monday’s session through Zoom.
Child care and behavioral health funding
A proposed budget amendment would add $200,000 in revenue and corresponding spending for the Department of Social Services’ 2025-26 child care subsidy program. Another would appropriate $48,286 for the Rental Supplement Program.
Legislators also will consider a $40,915 agreement with Coordinated Care Services Inc. to assess local behavioral health needs. The assessment would combine community input, stakeholder expertise and existing data to identify priorities and guide future service planning. The proposed agreement runs through May 31, 2027.
A separate agreement would bring the county $50,000 through the Rural Outreach, Organizing, Training, and Suicide Prevention–New York initiative. Paid in quarterly installments, the funding would support local suicide prevention planning and activities.
Other proposed Community Services budget amendments include $61,143 for opioid abatement efforts and funding for local service providers.
Staffing requests address retirements and resignations
The Sheriff’s Office is seeking permission to hire a temporary, full-time deputy ahead of an anticipated retirement in April 2027.
The proposal would allow time for a background investigation and onboarding before the Basic Police Academy begins in January. The temporary appointment would last no more than six months, at a cost including benefits not to exceed $49,096.
Once the incumbent retires, the new employee would move into the vacant position, subject to civil service requirements. If the retirement does not occur within six months, the temporary appointment would end unless legislators authorize an extension.
Other requests would fill a probation officer position becoming vacant Dec. 31, a correction officer court security vacancy and an employment and training counselor position in Social Services.
The counselor position would cost between $65,356 and $85,894 including benefits, but approximately 94% is eligible for reimbursement. The estimated county share is between $3,921 and $5,154.
A separate resolution would raise the information technology director’s annual salary from $90,000 to $92,500, retroactive to Oct. 13.
Public health agreements and building work
Legislators will consider partnering with Ontario County Public Health on a lead hazard reduction grant running through June 2029.
Ontario County has designated $48,271.03 for Yates County’s grant activities. The agreement also calls for Yates to contribute $4,878 toward supervision of the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Coordinator.
Two additional agreements would hire physicians Cynthia Rand and Tyler Stephen to help develop a mother-to-mother vaccination program curriculum. Each contract would pay $150 an hour, capped at $5,100, through July 31, 2027.
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For county facilities, lawmakers will consider awarding MJ Mechanical Services a $147,466 contract to replace an air handler at the County Office Building. It was the lowest of three bids.
The agenda also includes an agreement allowing the treasurer to process property tax payments through Xpress-pay using credit cards, debit cards and electronic checks. Implementation would depend on completing the necessary agreements, systems and procedures.
Another resolution would distribute $341,550.30 in net mortgage tax proceeds to the county’s towns and villages.
Budget hearing follows later this month
Monday’s agenda follows an Oct. 27 workshop at which legislators approved a tentative 2027 budget with an $18,364,445 property tax levy.
The workshop minutes place that levy $102,447 below the county’s tax cap and list a county tax rate of $3.72 per $1,000 of assessed value, down 30 cents from 2026.
Workshop changes included $100,000 for the Finger Lakes Museum and a $57,800 increase for Cornell Cooperative Extension, bringing that organization’s allocation to $418,300.
Final budget adoption is scheduled for consideration after a public hearing Nov. 19 at 6 p.m. in the Legislative Chambers at 417 Liberty St. in Penn Yan.
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