[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6561652,"mediaKeyId","3288396-3b5c8342e83167cd82a1397fc39f72f1","parentId",3288396,"title","Votes at a glance: Schenectady County Legislature actions May 5, 2025","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",3815000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3288396-3b5c8342e83167cd82a1397fc39f72f1&start=3815&end=3815","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3288396-3b5c8342e83167cd82a1397fc39f72f1/thumbnail_3815000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6561652/Schenectady-County/New-York/Votes-at-a-glance-Schenectady-County-Legislature-actions-May-5-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561652-4b2eefcd53677f9f07497eb746291f15/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173135&Signature=iGScRPHDeCKXv6v8oLCP~AEe1iLpxFYbHA4YCoubk1rNtC1xcGsU5wgIhkilllmts73oTVsV2rkaZNaqEHpe~ce6lTL7uF7VP5XpwOoYxoSVdEy0gU8XrS1Ghkqcd68zid-tL1RcgbnrDvrU6PC4dCejlhbTM1iSeI~4tiwqtFr8aCBqcBzYp5hXa0NQr20GiEuAIV05gZfmsP5Qn4TGacvccJffmFuWOA5lMNsGosfl1QODUN5Rth29C9PovS9r3dWUECuw1Ih7RlPjq6xFt3jLXr7JJAFPWq9wXRzxoTQ-3zdSA~FCR5Gu~NeEKPRKFfX7Sth6yresKyknteealg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Saratoga County, NY","date","2025-05-13T22:36:44Z","article","Schenectady County — At its May 5 meeting the Schenectady County Legislature adopted a range of resolutions and local law changes. Below are the key items, their descriptions and outcomes as recorded during the meeting. Vote tallies are reported where the clerk read them on the roll call.

Votes at a glance

- Ceremonial resolutions (Res. 73 and 74): Two ceremonial proclamations were adopted. Recorded votes: Resolution 73 — 10 ayes, 1 nay, 4 absent; Resolution 74 — 11 ayes, 4 absent.

- Arts and Culture Grants (committee recommendation; Res. reported in committee): Approved. Clerk recorded the resolution as passed; roll call recorded 11 ayes, 1 abstention, 4 absent.

- Mortgage tax distribution (Resolution authorizing mortgage tax distribution for 10/01/2024–03/31/2025): The Legislature authorized distribution to municipalities. The clerk recorded the resolution as passed (roll call recorded 11 ayes, 4 absent). The meeting transcript contained two close but inconsistent readings of the dollar amount; the first reading recorded $1,624,975.50 and a later read-back in the roll call read $1,624,275. The transcript shows the item carried; the specific distribution schedule should be confirmed in the official clerk’s minutes for exact amounts.

- Local Law B of 2025 (adoption of short‑term rental/bed tax harmonization): Adopted. During committee and floor discussion staff described a vendor service used by other upstate counties to identify short‑term rental listings and collect information; staff said the county can share vendor data with towns that opt to use it. On final roll call the clerk recorded two recorded nays (one named legislator stated, \"I believe that we are taxed enough already. I'm voting no.\") and the measure passed with a majority and 4 absences.

- Emergency medical services surge ambulance (Resolution 78‑25): Approved. (See separate story for full presentation and background.) Roll call: 11 ayes, 4 absent.

- Personnel and collective bargaining items (Res. 79–80 and related): A set of personnel resolutions creating/eliminating positions and authorizing a collective bargaining amendment for the road patrol bargaining unit were adopted; roll calls recorded as passed (11 ayes, 4 absent, where noted).

- Retirement plan adjustment for sheriff's deputies (Resolution 81‑25): Adopted; roll call recorded 11 ayes, 4 absent.

- Capital program amendments (Res. 83–87): A series of amendments to the capital improvement program were approved, including a utility study at SUNY Schenectady, airport project funding, public works equipment purchases, sheriff vehicle upfitting and Unified Communications Center repairs. Roll calls were recorded; resolutions carried (typically 11 ayes, 4 absent where the roll call was read).

- Fees for sheriff’s services (Resolution 88‑25): Adopted on the clerk's roll call (ayes recorded; check official minutes for exact fee schedules).

Notes and next steps: The clerk read roll calls for each listed resolution; where the roll call recorded final tallies those are listed above. For precise award amounts, contract terms, or the final distribution schedule (mortgage tax), consult the official resolution text and the clerk’s posted minutes and supporting documents; the transcript sometimes paraphrased or repeated figures with slight transcription variance.

Ending: The Legislature adjourned after approving the package of resolutions; the HALT Act reform resolution was withdrawn from the rules committee agenda to be considered at a later date and the sponsor indicated intent to revisit it incorporating member concerns.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Schenectady County Legislature Regular Meeting - May 13, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A roundup of resolutions and formal votes taken by the Schenectady County Legislature on May 5, 2025, including adoption of a local law to tax short‑term rentals, mortgage tax distributions, collective bargaining changes and several capital program amendments.","taxTitle","Schenectady County, New York","taxId",14533,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6561657,"Legislature approves 2025 arts and culture grants for 54 events across Schenectady County",1352,2664000,4016000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3288396-3b5c8342e83167cd82a1397fc39f72f1&start=2664&end=4016","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3288396-3b5c8342e83167cd82a1397fc39f72f1/thumbnail_2664000.jpg","/articles/6561657/Schenectady-County/New-York/Legislature-approves-2025-arts-and-culture-grants-for-54-events-across-Schenectady-County","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561657-51c87de1b00914833bba846266f0f134/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173136&Signature=j~7hKChLVcFEUXSK6Y9IK278aosRtboBQJEdWcelTkwqj3ltTYrjDPws6Q5JA27b-MD4yPOatLV63XDj66WYqz4iNKV9kXKvnaeBKdb-9qLv31NDhp3ErmJnxTn9MWprPSLgVmKXfhRTBQiCotJ52LNdouehSrDMMXT1r6UIpg6WQJbJd4OceaYP3RiYNyD32aCc4cGxGNCl~Y7NV~fTzZsFFXPnjwyIYWV~MKUY5oT69stwMH2nn-YkLfA27HOhkA7jdnVgR~jkidg3fTYoEFvYKcWZ-tEjZGhhGzru5wnifQOCEkbQldFrEAm2S3gLwRtYvzjiQxIZFYpqHYDSAw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Schenectady County — The Schenectady County Legislature on May 5 approved awards from the 2025 Arts and Culture Grant Program, funding 43 organizations to support 54 events and projects across the county.

Jason Leque presented the committee recommendation, saying the arts and culture committee reviewed applications and proposed awards. \"In front of you tonight is a recommendation from our arts and culture committee,\" he told the Legislature, noting the program is funded from the county's hotel/bed occupancy tax and has supported more than 800 events since 2002.

Why it matters: County officials said the program is intended to drive tourism and community participation by investing visitor‑generated hotel tax revenue back into local events and cultural projects. The 2025 awards will underwrite events including Niska Day, Schenectady Pride and Kids Arts Fest, among others, county staff said during the committee presentation.

Public comment: Betsy Sandberg, who gave her address for the record, thanked the county for funding and highlighted the Jazz on J lunchtime concert series beginning June 5 and Kids Arts Fest on June 7. \"The food future looks very bright here across our county,\" she said.

Formal action and outcome: The committee moved the recommendation to the floor and the full Legislature approved the grants; the clerk recorded the roll call and the resolution passed (vote recorded as 11 ayes, one abstention noted during roll call and four absent). The committee presentation said the program has distributed more than $1.1 million since 2002 and supports cultural tourism that the county funds through the bed tax.

Ending: County officials and committee members said they expect the awards to produce events through the summer and into the fall; several grant recipients and events are scheduled in June.","The Schenectady County Legislature approved awards under its arts and culture grant program to 43 organizations for 54 events and projects, funded from the county's hotel/bed tax revenue.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6561662,"Schenectady County Legislature authorizes countywide surge ambulance, directs CON application",1092,933000,2025000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3288396-3b5c8342e83167cd82a1397fc39f72f1&start=933&end=2025","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3288396-3b5c8342e83167cd82a1397fc39f72f1/thumbnail_933000.jpg","/articles/6561662/Schenectady-County/New-York/Schenectady-County-Legislature-authorizes-countywide-surge-ambulance-directs-CON-application","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561662-ffd8665e8d770173aca06499962d992d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173136&Signature=g90Rgd2K3sPgjO8yhxsjKV06dg4HriryImpYbDt67OvDxxKehtU~XGB-Vtgvr1foTo0mXBnss7KPjtAnkaXn9bJL1bOvvQDHozap0C6kIuHf5euOmpn9omFp6gDIZxRdJmaG0EombnlQpDCfFb-uMMi1NMJjuvmualks0R9YGCh5n-GOF8xVTO2e7rQ2fIe4fGI32hJ9McjJxOPdyEfisvd9LxeQOitg-Td5HDdrOwjhZ6SdUzgEPXtucbmlBMdX8IFSatApG~BkD9pIDX0YqwH2EzR1x6ttKykYkaq3RKmZMi5H-4jpfic6yEKPaoij2jFj6ZwvDw04L8aOD8SQQw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Schenectady County — The Schenectady County Legislature on May 5 authorized the county manager to apply for a Certificate of Need (CON) from the New York State Department of Health and to enter a contract to add a countywide mutual‑aid ambulance intended to operate 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, seven days a week, with a projected start date of July 1, 2025.

Legislator Jasinski, chairing the committee on firefighting and EMS, called the presentation and said the action follows more than a year of study and coordination with county staff and local emergency providers. The measure passed the Legislature on a roll call that produced 11 ayes and 4 absences.

County EMS deputies Walter Funter and Katie Sims presented county EMS data showing stable total call volumes but a substantial rise in mutual‑aid requests and in the time needed to find an available transporting ambulance. \"We are here to provide services to help the residents and visitors of Schenectady County,\" Katie Sims told the Legislature. The deputies reported mutual‑aid requests rose from about 1,057 in February 2022 (roughly three per day) to about 1,388 in 2024 (almost four per day) and that the county increasingly must rely on out‑of‑county ambulances, which lengthens response and transport times.

Why it matters: County presenters said the plan reallocates existing regional ambulance capacity to hours of highest need rather than creating a new county ambulance service. The goal is to reduce on‑scene wait times, lower the number of unanswered mutual‑aid requests and reduce out‑of‑county transports that can add 10–20 minutes or more to response times.

What the Legislature authorized: The resolution directs the county manager to:
- Apply for a Certificate of Need (CON) from the New York State Department of Health on behalf of Schenectady County;
- Enter into a contract with a provider (presenters identified Rotterdam Emergency Medical Services, REMS, as the planned contractor) to supply a countywide mutual‑aid or surge ambulance operating 8 a.m.–8 p.m., 365 days a year; and
- Pursue enrollment and billing approvals with Medicare, Medicaid and private insurers so the county can bill for transports rendered under the contract.

Contract terms and oversight: Committee members and staff said the proposed contract requires the contractor to collaborate with county Unified Communications and EMS coordinators and to deliver quarterly utilization and financial reports to the county within 30 days after each quarter (reports due Oct. 31, Jan. 30, April 30 and July 30). Legislator Jasinski said the contract will include periodic evaluations and 90‑day cause provisions.

Debate and follow up: Committee members praised the data‑driven approach and asked about staffing and contractor capacity. Presenters said REMS expects to add staff and has ambulances that are currently unstaffed; the county intends to reallocate that unused capacity rather than purchase and staff new vehicles. Legislator support emphasized speed and cost efficiency compared with creating a brand‑new county service.

Formal action and outcome: The committee moved the measure to the full Legislature. On the May 5 floor roll call the resolution passed; the clerk recorded 11 ayes and 4 absences. The authorization directs the manager to proceed with the CON application and contract negotiations and establishes reporting requirements by contract.

Ending: County officials said they will monitor utilization data closely and return with updates. The Legislature’s approval enables the county to begin the CON process and finalize a contract with a provider in advance of the targeted July 1, 2025 start date.","The Legislature voted to authorize the county manager to apply for a New York State Certificate of Need and contract with a provider to add a countywide mutual-aid \"surge\" ambulance operating 8 a.m.–8 p.m. daily, aiming to reduce mutual-aid delays and out‑of‑county transports.","actionData","errors"]

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Votes at a glance: Schenectady County Legislature actions May 5, 2025

Legislature approves 2025 arts and culture grants for 54 events across Schenectady County

Schenectady County Legislature authorizes countywide surge ambulance, directs CON application