[2:43] Heat on in here. Mr. Chairman, honorable members, I come before you today in accordance

[2:52] with the terms of the oneida county charter to present the proposed operating budget and

[2:58] capital plan for 2026. Welcome all of the people that are here with us today, especially the

[3:08] students that join us today and members of the public and and all. I want to thank this board

[3:17] for being great partners in this government, in moving it forward and all that we do on a

[3:23] yearly basis. And especially I want to thank chairman jerry fiorini. A great colleague who

[3:30] has been instrumental in helping me move this country forward. And I know that

[3:35] there'll be more time for this, but this is the last time that he'll sit behind me as I

[3:40] present this budget. He is one of my greatest friends and a great partner, and I will miss

[3:47] his leadership every day. Thank you. He hates when I do that. Yes I do. I want to also

[4:04] recognize all my department heads who are here today, and all of that work with me and

[4:08] the entire oneida county workforce. That is second to none for delivering great

[4:13] services to the people of this, of this community, day in, day out, 24 seven. And I want to

[4:23] thank them for their service. I want to thank the budget team that works on this every year.

[4:30] this budget director, tom keeler, dimitri sidorovich, his deputy anthony carvelli,

[4:38] commissioner of finance, and his staff for the work on this budget. My executive team that

[4:43] works tirelessly as well on this, putting this together. And I also want to thank the

[4:49] oneida county comptroller, vanessa carbone, for her assistance, as always, and her

[4:55] work on this budget as well. So thank you. I would also like to thank my other partners in

[5:00] government. Certainly, I serve with great people every day. The sheriff, rob mitchell,

[5:06] thank you. Sheriff, county clerk mary finnegan and the district attorney, todd carvell.

[5:13] thank you for your service and everything that the people of oneida county, as I have said

[5:20] many times as I've come before you some 18 times now, this budget is a blueprint of how we

[5:27] accomplish our tasks day in and day out. What is entailed in this budget is a series of hard

[5:33] choices. In my entire time as county executive, I've taken a conservative approach. I don't

[5:41] don't borrow more than you can afford. Keep taxes as low as possible, become more efficient,

[5:48] cut services and programs that don't work or are underperforming while being

[5:54] sure to fund the ones that do. But almost the same way a household budget works, there

[5:59] are things that cannot be cut. Households must pay rent or mortgage and utilities. They

[6:08] need food and clothing. They invest in their children's education, in their health and

[6:16] their well-being. Well, it works the same way in county government in a lot of ways.

[6:21] there are many, many areas that we need to invest in for the betterment of this community.

[6:26] and we do just that. We're a county budget differs from a household and from all other

[6:34] forms of government. Is that the state of new york forces us to provide mandated services

[6:40] that make up over 90% of our allocations, while the federal government has passed a bill

[6:48] that fundamentally changes the way it deals with the state, nothing has changed for the

[6:53] latter. The state of new york never cuts services because it doesn't get hurt financially.

[6:59] instead, it just pushes more and more of these programs onto the counties. There is

[7:07] uncertainty at the state and federal level surrounding the future of medicaid. We must be

[7:13] prepared for the increased cost the state pushes on to us in what could rapidly become a

[7:21] post medicaid cap world. Currently, our medicaid bill is $57.3 million a year. That is

[7:33] $1.1 million per week. That is 86% of our property tax levy. And those, you know, I've been

[7:43] and we all have been singing the medicaid problem for years. It could get much worse. There

[7:50] is also a law on the governor's desk right now that will likely be signed from all indications,

[7:56] which could mandate county wide ambulance services a cost that would be millions of dollars

[8:03] per year. The snap program will be funded at 75% by the county in late 2026. Previously, this

[8:14] funding was 5050. However, the bigger hit may come from the state in 2027. In 2026, this

[8:23] hit will be approximately $2 million more per year. But in 2027, if the state decides to

[8:31] shift its error rate cost to the counties that hit could be in the range of several million

[8:38] dollars. The list of actions such as these goes on and on, and it is our job to be

[8:46] prepared to handle these situations. Meanwhile, while state and federal aid plummets

[8:52] and our mandates increase, our other revenues are mostly flat. The oneida indian nation

[9:00] agreement has been a major factor in not raising the property tax levy for 12

[9:05] straight years, it has generated $233.5 million for this government since its

[9:14] inception. The last two quarters are trending upward, with the recently opened point

[9:20] place, along with turning stone $700 million investment. That trend is anticipated in this

[9:29] budget. Sales tax, however, is another story. It is flat for the first time since the covid

[9:36] 19 year of 2020, and it is budgeted this year below the 2025 amount. What some fail to

[9:46] understand is that sales tax does not always go up. It is cyclical and we cannot tie all

[9:55] of our fortunes to it. We have reduced expenditures in this budget in every way we can,

[10:02] understanding that we, unlike every other government, will cost the cannot, by law be cut.

[10:11] so we are taking action to offset that. We are moving the administration of the foster

[10:18] care program in-house in response to rapidly rising contractual expenses. By

[10:27] transitioning the work internally, the county will save millions in long term

[10:32] costs while also improving efficiency. Greater efficiency means cases will move more

[10:38] quickly, ultimately reducing the number of days that children spend in foster care.

[10:44] this will result in a better outcome for children and for our county finances. Last year,

[10:51] our collective bargaining agreements corrected the disparity on salaries in county

[10:57] government, something long overdue and much deserved for our workforce. We were not

[11:05] competitive in the marketplace. We couldn't attract or retain the talent necessary to serve

[11:11] our people. We have gotten better, but we still have a way to go. We have unfunded, long

[11:19] vacant positions and have maximized our vacancy rate in this budget. This budget is

[11:26] presented to you today, stands at $560,897,139. That is an increase of approximately 12

[11:38] million over this year. Despite reductions in changes that we have made. Let me just put it

[11:46] in perspective and remind you it costs $46 million per month to run this. 46 million. The

[12:01] 2026 capital plan requires $17.6 million in debt and takes on $13 million in new borrowing

[12:10] for critical projects. Once again, I ensured we are not borrowing that which we cannot

[12:18] afford. Despite these efforts, for the first time in 12 years, this budget comes to you with a

[12:26] raise of 2.9% to the property tax levy. With the current climate at the state and

[12:35] federal level, our revenues flattening, this adjustment is necessary to move the needle

[12:42] for the future. I have also appropriated $7 million in reserve from the general fund

[12:49] to close the budget gap, an increase of $500,000 over this year. Now, this should not come

[12:58] as a surprise. Not to anyone. If you recall, in last year's address, I stated that a modest

[13:05] increase was contemplated at that time, but then reconsidered. In the 11th hour.

[13:12] we cannot do the same thing this year. The structural imbalance that we face, along

[13:18] with changes at the federal and state level, warrant that action be taken now, and not

[13:24] when those changes come. I also stated late last year, stated last year that we had to look

[13:32] at hard choices going forward. Can we be all things to all other governments and still

[13:39] maintain our level of fiscal strength? I'll get back to that a little later, but the reasons

[13:47] for this increase are many. Let me state them when asked. We have had two devastating

[13:56] tornadoes in less than a year, with millions of dollars in damage and the loss of lives.

[14:03] those events in the remnant storms required our action. When all is said and done, we

[14:12] will have distributed nearly $4 million in direct assistance to those residents who were

[14:19] affected without any contribution from the state or federal government. We have

[14:27] done 50 flood mitigation projects in 18 communities and 18 municipalities, with over $8

[14:36] million in county spending and growing, we continue to invest in mohawk valley community

[14:43] colleges programing and facilities to prepare our workforce for the growing

[14:47] opportunities in the high tech and manufacturing industries. We're joined by president van

[14:54] wagoner, and we recently, some of you joined me as we cut the ribbon or broke the ground.

[15:00] excuse me, on an $18 million commitment to the soon to be constructed applied technology

[15:08] center on the utica campus, we upgraded our we upgraded to a state of the art radio system

[15:17] at e911 for all first responders at a cost of $22 million. In turn, we created a

[15:23] record management system so first responders can have as much information as possible at

[15:29] their disposal for increased public safety. With a price tag of 2.5 million, we invested $2

[15:37] million in broadband expansion so that underserved rural areas can have access to high speed

[15:45] internet. We continue to invest millions of dollars combating opioid use and work 24 over

[15:52] seven on the growing homeless crisis. We invested $2.3 million in security cameras

[16:01] across the county that have already assisted law enforcement in making arrests,

[16:07] and we are constantly at the mercy of new york state and the federal government, who

[16:14] continue to push extra costs onto us. No other local government comes close to that

[16:21] list. I could go on and on because there is much, much more. More that we do, more

[16:27] that we contribute to, more that we've invested in. But my point is this we are the

[16:34] government that all others rely upon, and we always answer that call if we are expected to

[16:41] answer, if we are expected to respond to natural disasters, if we must assure that our

[16:48] first responders have the best system at the ready, if we must deal with societal issues that

[16:56] no other government is prepared for or willing to do, then we need to look at fundamental

[17:04] changes to our governmental structure. I spoke of some proposals in last year's budget

[17:10] address that I will stress again. I will once more send a resolution for your action to

[17:18] address the county's responsibility of making villages whole on their tax

[17:23] collection. I will again convene the mayors of utica and rome regarding sales tax

[17:29] distribution. I note that our two large cities have also had to raise taxes. While many of

[17:37] our towns and villages sit on large reserves, but still come to the county for money under

[17:45] the current sales tax formula and structure, many towns don't even need a town tax yet. We

[17:52] are required to make their property and school taxes whole. Things need to change and we

[17:59] need to lead that change. Just look at what we have accomplished together and look

[18:04] at what this county looks like today. And improved health care systems with direct county

[18:10] investment, a vibrant tourism and recreation network stimulated by county investment,

[18:21] infrastructure improvements throughout this county with county investment and a better,

[18:30] more responsive county government that serves everyone. 2025 is a year that brought us

[18:38] the largest natural food processing facility in the nation. In chobani, oneida

[18:45] county won that competition over larger states other than new york. Why? Because of what

[18:57] we have done and what we continue to do. So I ask you and the people of oneida county

[19:04] not to look at this as a step back, but as a leap forward. I have been proud of the response

[19:12] of this government in challenging times, but I am even more proud of the people

[19:17] of this community. Our collective strength and resilience is unmatched.

[19:24] challenges are why I love this job, because we face them together and we don't run away.

[19:33] abraham lincoln said it best. You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by

[19:43] evading it today. Yes, we have challenges, but they are opportunities. As you review

[19:51] this budget, please keep in mind that we cannot ignore what is coming. We are handcuffed by

[20:00] dysfunctional governments in washington where they can't agree on anything. And in

[20:06] albany, where if it's not needed in new york city, our voices are unheard. That's not

[20:15] oneida county, ladies and gentlemen, we are one and as one we will meet what is put in

[20:24] front of us, and we will keep moving forward to this legislative body. As always, my

[20:31] team and I look forward to your discussions, review and input as you go through this budget.

[20:36] and we stand ready to answer all of your questions. I want to thank you all for being here

[20:42] today. For all the people in the gallery. I want to thank this board once again and

[20:47] chairman, for their leadership. And I thank all of you. God bless oneida county and the

[20:52] united states. Thank you.

[21:15] thank you. Very well. Next day, james, under resolutions. Introductory

[21:37] number 243 is the final approval of consolidated agricultural district number one for the towns of annsville, camden, vienna and florence. Do we have a second discussion?

[21:48] call the vote. Chairman. I'm sorry. Absolutely. What are you doing here? What does that mean?

[22:14] jeff? Norm. Rick. Norm. Jeff. Carried. Introduction. Number 244 is the final adoption and

[22:29] approval of the open enrollment for ag district agricultural landowners. Do you have a

[22:34] second discussion? Call the vote. Vote is carried. Introductory number 245 is the

[22:45] approval of a second agreement amendment between oneida county and the community foundation of

[22:50] herkimer and oneida counties to administer the 2024 tornado relief fund. Do I have a second

[22:56] discussion? Call the vote. Vote is carried. Introductory number 246 is the proposed workers

[23:06] compensation budget for 2026. Do I have a second discussion? Call the vote. Load is carried.

[23:19] introductory number 247 is the approval of a memorandum of understanding. First renewal

[23:24] between oneida county through its department of family and community services, the rome housing authority and mohawk valley housing and homeless coalition. Do we have a second

[23:33] discussion? Call the vote. Vote is carried. Introductory number 248 is the approval of a grant

[23:46] agreement between oneida county through its department of family and community services and new york state through its office of children and family services. Do I have a second

[23:55] discussion? Call the vote. Vote is carried. Introductory number 249 is the approval of an

[24:06] amendment to a purchase of services agreement between oneida county through its department of family and community services and the city of rome. Do I have a second

[24:14] discussion? Call the vote. Vote is carried. Introductory number 250 is the approval of an

[24:27] agreement between oneida county through its permanent family community services and cny. Do I have a second discussion? Call the vote. Is carried. Introductory number 251 is the

[24:45] approval of an agreement between oneida county through its health department and mohawk valley community action. Do we have a second discussion? Call the vote. Vote is carried.

[25:02] introductory. 252 approval of a master services agreement between oneida county and big

[25:06] language solutions. Do I have a second discussion? Call the vote. Vote is carried.

[25:19] introductory number 253 is the approval of a professional services agreement between

[25:24] oneida county through its division of information technology and consource. Do I

[25:29] have a second discussion? Call the vote. Vote is carried. Introductory number 254 is the

[25:43] approval to create one assistant county attorney position. Do I have a second

[25:48] discussion? Call the vote. Vote is carried. Introductory number 255 approval of the hardware

[26:00] care services agreement between oneida county through its county clerk's office and

[26:04] corporation, and approval of a sears agreement between oneida county and the corporation.

[26:14] sure. Do I have a second discussion? Call the vote. Okay, tim. Tim. Thank you. We're on

[26:30] the big screen, I guess. We'll just carry. Introductory number 256 is approval of a master

[26:45] lease agreement between oneida county through its division of purchase and duplicator supply company. Do I have a second discussion? Call the vote. Vote is carried. Introductory number

[27:06] 257 is the approval of a consultant services agreement between oneida county through

[27:10] its department of public works and the town of kirkland. Do I have a second engineering

[27:16] discussion? Call a vote. Are we doing here? There you go. Vote is carried. Introductory number

[27:36] 258 is approval of a master template agreement between oneida county and various

[27:40] municipalities for roadside mowing. Do I have a second discussion? Call the vote. Vote

[27:53] is carried. Introductory number 259 is the acceptance of a proposal from march associates

[28:01] for the oneida county office building. Reorganization. First floor project. Do we have a

[28:07] second discussion? Call the vote. Vote is carried. Introductory number 260 is the

[28:23] approval of a grant agreement between oneida county department of planning and new

[28:28] york state through its department of environmental conservation. Do I have a second discussion? Call the vote. Vote is carried. Introductory number 261 is a

[28:46] resolution calling a public hearing for the purpose of considering an increased cost

[28:51] of the proposed improvements for 90 county sewer district. Do I have a second discussion?

[29:00] call the vote. Vote is carried. Introductory number 262 is a determination pursuant to the

[29:20] state environmental quality review act, that the proposed sauquoit creek pumping station

[29:24] and oneida county water pollution control plant resilience resiliency

[29:28] enhancements project will not have an impact. Do I have a second discussion? Call the

[29:36] vote. Vote is carried. Introduction. Number 263 is a resolution authorizing 8.8

[29:46] million in bonds. The county of oneida to pay the cost of certain improvements to the

[29:51] oneida county sewer district. Do I have a second discussion? Call the vote. Please carry.

[30:03] introductory number 264 is a resolution approving, pursuant to section 268 of the county

[30:09] law, an increase in improvement of facilities for the oneida county sewer district. Do I have a second discussion? Call the vote. Vote is carried. Introductory number 265 is a

[30:26] transfer of $1,055,919 to a8760 .495 other expense, dpw and supplemental appropriation of

[30:36] 6.1 million. Do I have a second discussion? Call the vote. Vote is carried. Introductory number

[30:51] 266 is approval of an amendment to capital project pln 136, exit 31 traffic study. Do I

[30:59] have a second discussion? Call the vote. Vote is carried. Introductory number 267 is a

[31:12] transfer of 559,961 to 99 01. 900. Transfer to other funds. Do I have a second discussion?

[31:23] call the vote. Vote is carried. Introductory number 268 is the approval of the amendment to

[31:36] capital project h. Eir 08556102 capital outlay griffiths airfield triangle project. Do I

[31:43] have a second discussion? Call the vote. Vote is carried. Introductory number 269 is

[31:57] approval of task order number 42 to a master agreement for consultant services between

[32:01] oneida county through his department of aviation and cns engineers. Do we have a second

[32:05] discussion? Call the vote. My name is. Yes. Washburne. Yes. Vote is carried. Introductory

[32:21] number 270 is the approval of a waterville central school district initial response team

[32:25] agreement between oneida county through its department of probation and the waterville central school district. Do I have a second discussion? Call the vote. We got chad. Chad.

[32:44] chad. Thank you. Introductory number 271 is the appointment of michelle crist as court

[32:57] reporter. Grade 41 w step five. This will need to be amended. I'm not sure if. Chuck, if you

[33:02] want to come, just explain really quick. So we're changing this resolution to be a

[33:15] reallocation of the title. The initial request to bring into a step five. We may have had

[33:22] compliance issues with civil service law. So we pulled that resolution to to amend the the

[33:30] title to a higher grade. It accomplishes the same salary that we were looking for. But

[33:35] it's just a cleaner way to implement this and also sets the starting salary at a more

[33:42] competitive salary going forward for future recruiting. So there was a little bit of an

[33:48] oversight on my part, but this is where we are right now. Yes. Can we just ask for somebody to

[33:55] pick it up? Mr. Joseph, make the amendment, have a second on that. All in favor, signify by

[34:08] saying aye. Aye. Proves that we need to actually hold on to. Thank you. Okay, so now we're

[34:14] voting on. It's actually now the reallocation of salary for the position title court

[34:20] reporter from grade 41 w step one to grade 44 w step one. And this resolution is on your desk

[34:28] and is as amended. Wait a second. I need a second on it now. Discussion. Call the vote.

[34:45] vote is carried. Doctor. Number 272 is a supplemental appropriation of $12,963 to

[34:55] 31102451 100 automotive repair. Sheriff, do you have a second discussion? Call the vote.

[35:08] voice carried. Introductory number 273 is approval of a template for special patrol

[35:14] officer services to be used between oneida county through its sheriff's office and various entities. Do you have a second discussion? Call the vote. Vote is carried.

[35:32] introductory number 274 is the approval of an agreement between oneida county and invictus apps, and transfer of 108,000 to a 3020 various emergency services accounts. Do

[35:44] you have a second discussion? All right. Thank. You. Gotcha. Call the vote. Vote is carried.

[36:06] introductory number 275 is on your desk. And it's approval of a first renewal, an amendment

[36:13] agreement between oneida county through its department of planning and fisher associates.

[36:19] do I have a second discussion? Call the vote. Vote is carried. Introductory number 276 is a

[36:36] resolution scheduling public hearings on proposed 2026 oneida county budget and

[36:41] capital program. Do I have a second discussion? Call the vote. There we go. Vote is

[36:55] carried. Introductory number 277 is the approval of bids offered at the august property

[37:02] auction. Do I have a second discussion? Call the vote. Vote is carried. An introductory 278

[37:17] is a local eb of 2025. Local law authorizing the county of oneida. Notwithstanding section

[37:25] 215 of oneida county state county law to enter into a lease of county owned real

[37:30] property situated in the city of rome. Griffith's business park development district for a term of 50 years without competitive bidding, and that will be on you, that is sitting

[37:38] on your desk for action at next meeting. Any further business with, as you may have noticed,

[37:47] there's many of us here today wearing pink for breast cancer awareness. As a survivor, I

[37:55] want to thank you. I appreciate your support. I encourage everybody that is due for their

[38:03] mammograms or get testing that they get tested. It can save your life. Also, I'd like to

[38:08] add that on october 22nd, verona cancer center will be having an event. There will be

[38:17] basket raffles, there will be speakers. They have the mammo van coming for free screening.

[38:23] I encourage you can attend to attend. Thank you, thank you. Chairman of the board and

[38:43] legislators. Today I'll be formally resigning as I've made new hartford my new home. But

[38:48] please save my seat because I intend to be back come january. Thank you, thank you. Ways and

[38:57] means is going to meet immediately following to set our schedule for the budget

[39:02] review. Okay. Anyone else? Motion to adjourn. Meeting

Oct 08, 2025 Board of Legislators

Agenda

Transcript