OSWEGO COUNTY – The Oswego County Legislature met Thursday night, December 9, when it voted on a robust agenda at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., including approving the 2022 county budget.
The 2 p.m. meeting began with a public hearing regarding a proposed local law providing for the salaries of certain elected county officers. These officers include the county clerk, county sheriff, county treasurer, county legislators from January 1, 2022 to January 1, 2025. No one spoke during this time.
The legislature then read a proclamation, announcing James Dillabough as Veteran of the Year.
Next, the legislature recognized Legislators Thomas Drumm, Morris Sorbello, Ralph Stacy Jr., Bradley Trudell, and Terry Wilbur for their time in the legislature as they will not be returning for 2022.
The following were elected to replace the outgoing legislators:
District 7: Frank C. Bombardo will replace Bradley Trudell.
District 16: James B. Scanlon will replace Thomas Drumm.
District 21: Noelle Beckwith Salmonsen will replace Terry Wilbur.
District 23: Michael J. Solowy will replace Morris Sorbello.
District 25: Frank Castiglia Jr. will replace Ralph Stacy Jr.
Legislator Trudell read out a report from the Veterans Services Advisory Committee, recounting that James Dillabough had been chosen as Veteran of the Year out of seven nominations made from the community.
The legislature then moved on to the agenda and approved all items.
GC-1 – Resolution adopting County of Oswego a Local Law No. 2 establishing the office of the Oswego County Public Defender. Effective January 1, 2022, a public defender will be appointed for a two year term.
GC-3 – Fixing the time and place for the 2022 organizational meeting. Legislator Drumm offered an amendment to change the time of the meeting from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Legislators Drumm and Marie Schadt were the only ones to vote in favor of this change, and so the amendment was voted down.
The legislature will meet and select a chairman Thursday, January 6, 2022 at 2 p.m. in the chambers of the Oswego County Legislature in the County Office Building.
GC-4 – Resolution renewing a lease (one-year) with Operation Oswego County, Inc. for the Board of Elections to operate at that location until an alternate location is ready.
GC-7 – Resolution approving and confirming the sale and transfer of certain foreclosed tax property
GC-5, GC-6, GC-8, GC-9 – by consent.
PS-1 through PS-4 were blocked for general consent.
PS-5 – Resolution authorizing the retention of an auditor regarding Drug Task Force accounts. The Oswego County Drug Task Force is being transferred from the District Attorney’s Office to the Oswego County Sheriff’s Office.
HS-1 through HS-5, and HS-7 through HS-8 were blocked for general consent.
HS-6 – Resolution awarding professional services contract RFP 21 of A-004 – Door to Door Senior Transportation to Oswego County Opportunities, Inc.
EP-1 – Resolution authorizing the County Attorney’s office to initiate litigation against Attis Ethanol, Fulton, LLC pursuant to General Municipal Law 874(6) regarding a defaulted Oswego County Industrial Development Authority Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement.
Legislator Tim Stahl explained that Attis Ethanol was awarded a PILOT agreement, they did not make the payment, and so the agreement was removed.
“The only way for the County to get the money owed is to bring suit,” Stahl said. “$148,416 is the amount owed and this would be the resolution needed in order to look to recover that.”
Legislator Drumm thanked the county attorney for being proactive, but could not say the same of the Industrial Agency.
“The way that we execute these PILOTs and the way that these are delivered, criteria has to change,” Drumm said. “This type of stuff is just unacceptable at the end of the day, and unfortunately the IDA decides that they want the county to handle it and essentially do their bidding for them.”
The legislature voted with no objections and one excused.
EP-2 through EP-5 were blocked for general consent.
HE-1 through HE-3 were blocked for general consent.
HE-4 – Resolution to accept New York State Public Health Corps Fellowship program funding to promote and increase the capacity of the health department. It will bring on 12 fellowship students to the health department for two years. This award is for up to $1,870,232 over two years to cover their wages and benefits.
IT-1 through IT-5 were blocked for general consent.
FP-1 and FP-6 were blocked for general consent.
A motion to waive the rules of consideration for DS-6, EP-6 and FP-9 was approved and the resolutions were brought to the legislature. The resolutions were approved.
The legislature then went into executive session and recess and reconvened at 7 p.m. that night.
The second part of the meeting began with a public hearing regarding the tentative county budget for 2022. No one spoke at this time.
The legislature then read a proclamation recognizing Emma Wells as an Oswego County Hero. On October 22, 2020, Wells, 6 years old at the time, heard her mother scream and found her laying on the ground not breathing due to a grand mal seizure. Wells quickly took action, called for help and opened the garage for when her grandmother and an ambulance arrived to their home in Hannibal. She was also recognized as a hero from the American Red Cross.
The sheriff’s department then recognized Legislators Wilbur and Trudell for their time on the CSI and Public Safety committees.
A motion to waive the rules of consideration for IT-6 and GC-10 was approved. The resolutions were both approved.
The remaining agenda items were approved.
FP-7 – A resolution adopting County of Oswego Local Law No. 3 of 2021 “A local law providing for the salaries of certain county officers of the county of Oswego.” The annual salaries of the county clerk (2022 – $91,809; 2023 – $94,563; 2024 – $97,399; 2025 – $100,320), county treasurer (2022 – $91,809; 2023 – $94,563; 2024 – $97,399; 2025 – $100,320), county sheriff (2022 – $101,834; 2023 – $104,889; 2024 – $108,036; 2025 – $111,227), and county legislators ( 2022 – $14,311 each).
FP-8 – Resolution authorizing and ratifying a memorandum of understanding by and between Oswego County and the Oswego County Professionals Association, Inc.
FP-2 – Resolution adopting the county budget for the fiscal year commencing January 1, 2022. Various legislators brought forth several amendments to the budget, and almost all were passed.
Legislator Drumm brought forth an amendment to eliminate a position – director of Fleet Management. Legislator Schadt brought forth an amendment to eliminate legislator salary raises. Both amendments were voted down.
Legislator Drumm then brought forth an amendment to reduce funding to Operation Oswego County, Inc by 20%, a net reduction of $83,420, and proposed to move that savings to the preventative services line under the Department of Social Services. He said he would much rather see that money get allocated to preventative services that directly impacts children, those struggling with mental health and low income residents.
“Frankly I’m sick of seeing Mike Treadwell collect six-figures at Operation Oswego County while our social issues in our county continue to be a major barrier,” Drumm said.
Drumm and Schadt voted in favor of the amendment, Tim Stahl was excused from the meeting, and all others voted against the amendment.
The legislature then voted on the budget and approved it.
FP-3 – Resolution making appropriation for the conduct of county government for the fiscal year commencing January 1, 2022.
FP-4 – Resolution appropriating funds in the 2022 budget in regard to full funded grant projects.
FP-5- Resolution increasing existing appropriations for various funds in several offices and departments.
The last item was GC-2 – Resolution authorizing chairman and clerk to handle all unfinished business through December 31, 2021.
The meeting, the last one of 2021, then adjourned.
missing or outdated ad config
