[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":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,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6505608,"mediaKeyId","5609043-5253f2c5075714c2b178e1e898ee803c","parentId",5609043,"title","Votes at a glance: committee actions, budget amendments and contracts moved to full board","audioSeconds",1458,"startMs",1536000,"endMs",2994000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5609043-5253f2c5075714c2b178e1e898ee803c&start=1536&end=2994","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5609043-5253f2c5075714c2b178e1e898ee803c/thumbnail_1536000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6505608/Montgomery-County/New-York/Votes-at-a-glance-committee-actions-budget-amendments-and-contracts-moved-to-full-board","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6505608-a0d3d4a81b35cce5c9d027a350fccd4c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442623&Signature=iHAq97rcDHvtvRg-WAnzeGpBM6wD352yoFIAF2dRcmLfU3wtj37LJgRC9Mi2wbgok9I9q2obo8K0B8O55x92J3sRwML8~Oiw2BDmg~ld9R0sgSMgPjIdkq5neZrpu05T16stSXGfb13CNjj~2TbaRSM7NEL0zfxN2LydsTPAthNwdaCkEoi7W9Y~gfaBWmHED2X2zY9yCkKB1Ys-i2iDFiLVXTr6G~iIvf56RDsSIbQtHkjq6EZUHlwAdUijvKwMuZJLX0ZF9cjGVhXogpiqsqyL~m4SQiz4yYQE9THCUSSg4QPSx6Yp2RkHV1qKAjJZ16kNORvSLsuhi4ZV4t4O0g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montgomery County, NY","date","2025-08-20T19:45:04.5Z","article","The meeting record shows multiple committee‑level approvals and referrals to the full board on a range of resolutions, contracts and budget amendments. Below are selected items, sponsors where recorded, and committee outcomes. Where the transcript did not specify a resolution number or exact dollar amount, the entry is marked \"not specified.\" All entries reflect the committee votes or formal motions recorded in the transcript.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution (add‑on): change database administrator from full time to part time. Sponsor: Legislator Kowalczyk. Committee action: approved in committee (voice vote \"Aye\").

- Resolution amending 2025 operating budget to eliminate the position of first assistant district attorney and establish the position of deputy chief assistant district attorney. Committee action: approved in committee and moved to full board (sponsor and second recorded in committee discussion).

- Resolution requesting additional funds for assigned counsel (approx. $450,000). Committee action: committee issued a negative recommendation and requested the assigned counsel administrator appear with more detail before full board consideration.

- Resolutions authorizing and approving opioid litigation settlement agreements and approval of bankruptcy plan participation. Committee action: approved/carried; staff said settlement funds will flow to the county as part of existing litigation distributions (exact amounts to be finalized).

- Fulton‑Montgomery Community College (FMCC) capital projects approval and FMCC successor agreements. Committee action: approved/carried.

- Multiple Health & Human Services items (contracts, grants and operating budget amendments, including acceptance of DWI/high‑visibility grant funds and public health infrastructure and PHEP grants). Committee action: approved/moved to full board.

- Resolution authorizing accounting executive to sign New York State indigent legal services contract (distribution 12). Committee action: moved to full board.

- Other routine committee approvals: continuation of CLEO agreement with Fulton and other counties, acceptance of adoption and guardianship incentive funds for social services, and various public health and mental health budget amendments. Committee action: approved/moved to full board.

Notes: where the transcript recorded only a committee voice vote or \"carried,\" this summary records the outcome as approved or moved to the full board. Detailed resolution numbers, ordinance citations and vote tallies (yes/no/abstain by member) were not always specified in the transcript; where missing, those fields are recorded as \"not specified\" in the actions array below.

Ending: Several items were carried without extended debate; others — notably the assigned counsel funding request and the AS/400 replacement planning — will return with more detailed materials for committee and full‑board consideration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","MONTGOMERY COUNTY LEGISLATIVE MEETING: AUGUST 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The legislature’s committees moved numerous resolutions — ranging from personnel changes to grant acceptances and settlement approvals — to the full board or approved them in committee. A selection of motions, sponsors and committee outcomes is listed below.","taxTitle","Montgomery County, New York","taxId",69377,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6505614,"Assigned counsel funding request draws criticism; committee seeks more detail and delays full approval",270,2640000,2910000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5609043-5253f2c5075714c2b178e1e898ee803c&start=2640&end=2910","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5609043-5253f2c5075714c2b178e1e898ee803c/thumbnail_2640000.jpg","/articles/6505614/Montgomery-County/New-York/Assigned-counsel-funding-request-draws-criticism-committee-seeks-more-detail-and-delays-full-approval","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6505614-6ecb288a7e54cf7b0ea2df8e0754480a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442623&Signature=Z1V~DzBW3Qakq1Zkd891YrWJSFiXtrcOBVLdyRNvj9GXwGZzLPTMcVUZh5egan8GpNTLtT1~1y5rc3uP8uHdMiw7vv13QWRUv3PoLms~agSUvJW~w2ATScVSkScyAluNOgS4vGK628DrDJHWI4TEmwqgILxwlM~n0FOFCOQOsFZ3MNdWwcfPL-IMzTpvhVGVqrlOfKig3dJ-rk93TvDGXkUd1MVtL0mKqHxA-YmzhTtsssEpXwXvHQ3Af6ocZCVgLt720n8kt0xTwmX0H8kBC3gKSyzgQGTMw4f6GOBdz0gIIGajq8T57yjMjaF7UMYD8iCtb0I7eFIpWfF5kNkJ8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A resolution seeking a substantial increase to the county’s assigned counsel budget prompted several legislators to call for more information and for the assigned counsel administrator to appear before the full board.

Legislators said the resolution gave insufficient detail to justify a roughly $450,000 increase and characterized the submission as lacking necessary documentation such as explanations of hourly rates, mileage, and how prior estimates were derived. One legislator told the committee the proposal looked \"flimsy\" and urged more \"meat and potatoes\" before approving a large draw on fund balance.

Committee members asked staff to invite the assigned counsel administrator to the next meeting and debated whether to table the request. Staff suggested amending the dollar amount down for a temporary carryover if necessary; the committee ultimately moved the item with a negative recommendation to the full board and requested that the assigned counsel administrator attend and provide a fuller accounting.

Why it matters: assigned counsel costs can swing significantly based on caseload, hourly rates paid to private attorneys, mileage and other reimbursable costs. Legislators said they need more transparency on how the funding shortfall developed before approving a large fund transfer.

What’s next: committee staff said they would reach out to the assigned counsel administrator to provide a detailed explanation, and the matter will return to the full board with the committee’s negative recommendation.

Ending: No funding transfer was approved on the spot; legislators asked staff for specific billing and caseload data before any final decision.","A requested $450,000 increase for the county’s assigned counsel line drew sharp criticism in committee for lacking supporting detail. Legislators asked for the assigned counsel administrator to appear, and the committee moved the request forward with a negative recommendation pending more information.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6505620,"Officials warn county accounting system needs replacement; departments resist switch and costs are rising",381,1990000,2371000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5609043-5253f2c5075714c2b178e1e898ee803c&start=1990&end=2371","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5609043-5253f2c5075714c2b178e1e898ee803c/thumbnail_1990000.jpg","/articles/6505620/Montgomery-County/New-York/Officials-warn-county-accounting-system-needs-replacement-departments-resist-switch-and-costs-are-rising","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6505620-9d336eab90137799fa54896e3eb937d9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442623&Signature=Zn4SzXABA~tqO-hYdhywL4NTwCulq3IX84~5BCk2mJsnkVac4egjrbPrigLeheJjoeP0kclGQ47YLTu7D5EsYco4XNEVfBsouODE4Y09AVluCPaoqCIF7dt9dh4fZEG3h8eycaY90~fOP~3u~m1UEOQxJOH0k-SZ~MfqZQoyt2TXrLKsamFl~797p11OSINlGIXrVPjtPQDHuw0NbD1HCSzhjQ39CXm31~9tQQAl6JSURiAmMBUKMJGoGI827dG5FGA1izRJIFxJB65Sjwz6c9CYhFlwkPm8mjo6uzVRIQ751Hc-Af2wSsCEWO16Rr02tKthHoFoU44JxgKiLjQdGA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County staff raised concerns that the county’s AS/400 financial system is out of date and that replacement will be necessary within several years, but department heads are pushing back because new systems may not reproduce custom reports and workflows.

Dan (staff member) said the county’s AS/400 is \"under a very antiquated system\" and warned that in about five years there may be no software support. He told legislators an updated vendor quote showed a lower upfront cost than older estimates — roughly $300,000–$500,000 — but that the ongoing yearly support and subscription costs could be large, possibly $200,000–$300,000 annually. \"The ongoing yearly cost would be about $300,000 for support and technology,\" Dan said.

Dan also described resistance from some department heads who fear losing custom reporting and the ability to ask an in‑house programmer for ad hoc reports. Legislators discussed phasing the purchase through the capital plan over a two‑ to five‑year window; Dan said some vendors now favour a lower initial outlay and higher subscription fees, and that the county should plan for recurring costs.

Separately, data processing requested a $150,000 capital allocation for backend infrastructure upgrades; Dan said the request arrived late and will be evaluated with other capital priorities.

Why it matters: the county’s core accounting and reporting system underpins payroll, billing, and other financial operations. Staff warned that delays raise the risk of unsupported software and growing maintenance costs.

What happens next: legislators asked staff to obtain updated vendor quotes and to include the system replacement in the capital planning timeline so the county can budget for both upfront migration costs and ongoing support. Several legislators urged cross‑department discussions to identify required reports and to plan integration so departments’ needs are met.

Ending: Staff said they will provide updated quotes and integration options to the legislature and recommended beginning capital planning next year to avoid a future service gap.","County staff said the county's AS/400 financial system is aging and will need replacement within a few years. Staff outlined upfront and recurring cost estimates, department concerns about lost custom reports, and a potential capital plan timetable.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6505625,"County outlines 2026 capital priorities: landfill leachate lateral, jail lock replacement and other placeholders",248,1648000,1896000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5609043-5253f2c5075714c2b178e1e898ee803c&start=1648&end=1896","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5609043-5253f2c5075714c2b178e1e898ee803c/thumbnail_1648000.jpg","/articles/6505625/Montgomery-County/New-York/County-outlines-2026-capital-priorities-landfill-leachate-lateral-jail-lock-replacement-and-other-placeholders","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6505625-11785d4ebe75bb0baef7b1c05c542399/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442623&Signature=JPA1fTvNRt63v8qj8qRy2DOLVpW4Oys5WaH4Hq6aMdGRxPAIhzuGplnCYeXNLO5FTLqfPo-iqS~KAGqaIPzc79a9hFkGkVtGS12qOqhCyKzQYpjWiPtZuMA5ztfrz1eYabgYxr1-RUaS80U2af-h2~nSn7NHZTytRlMUMRYTRnmw8dWhrE8qdm0YLDk4c0JyMirfIUkgUorw9rk9q01dXaczyGh6tsvI4FgEo7tjWR2hJHkBs2LZhcC5NOyOHqvAYfZSDf~XjHJcYmgtN~YNTVlyjsVDsX4EL~xtOfAWK1GHZOgO4tyzhhsNsPw0KZEglxmdEFkpZicVJy6fYBrJLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County staff reviewed highlights of the draft capital project plan for 2026 and flagged several large items that could require bonding or grant applications.

Kenneth (staff member) told the legislature that departments submitted capital requests that county staff vetted and forwarded to the capital project committee under the county charter. \"This was been discussed before. This is the Eastern landfill leachate lateral...we did put a placeholder for that in the capital project plan for 2026,\" Kenneth said, and he listed a common share estimate of $1,500,000 for the project.

Kenneth also said a more urgent item was replacement of locks at the correctional facility. He described the existing locks as roughly 30 years old and noted the current supplier plans to discontinue manufacturing the parts, forcing a replacement. The committee put a $1,000,000 placeholder for lock replacement.

Other items in the plan include a possible $125,000 replacement or repair for the old county courthouse generator, ongoing HVAC requests from Fulton‑Montgomery Community College (FMCC) — which requested around $250,000 — and data processing infrastructure requests (discussed separately by staff).

Ken said that some projects rely on participation from other counties or outside partners; he noted coordination with participating counties will be confirmed before bonding. \"By the time we come to a point where we would have to bond for this, that would obviously all be with us to make sure that they're all participating at the level that they're supposed to be participating,\" he said.

Why it matters: the plan identifies multi‑million‑dollar projects and potential grant opportunities that could affect the county’s 2026 capital borrowing and fund‑balance decisions.

What happens next: staff said the capital project committee will continue vetting requests and that the draft plan will be refined before any bonding decisions are taken. Some projects were listed as placeholders pending final partner commitments or grant awards.

Ending: Legislators asked staff for updated cost estimates and confirmations from other jurisdictions; staff said they would follow up with more detailed cost and participation information before any bonding resolution is offered.","Staff presented a draft 2026 capital plan that includes placeholders and funding estimates for large projects, including a proposed $1.5 million leachate lateral at the Eastern landfill and a $1 million replacement of antiquated locks at the correctional facility; officials said some projects depend on other counties and grants.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6505628,"County officials say National Grid delivery charges drove sharp utility cost increases; budget impact discussed",291,1205000,1496000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5609043-5253f2c5075714c2b178e1e898ee803c&start=1205&end=1496","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5609043-5253f2c5075714c2b178e1e898ee803c/thumbnail_1205000.jpg","/articles/6505628/Montgomery-County/New-York/County-officials-say-National-Grid-delivery-charges-drove-sharp-utility-cost-increases-budget-impact-discussed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6505628-8bf8535c86d46a039bd5d65a80db05eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442623&Signature=VMxHKwZO4o01BirdtJNixNsydOtEh7s~pgS4is7QIY8wsWd08zFHxl15a23UNquCSNHlq~oHJLsRxHI7lIDMyIKrTlXRs74X4p2FJ9Pv9LwenfcyLhgukKM6sJJE~m638MXIZ99BWR6zzxSRG3T14GdgwPyICGjsqzftgo6cLure0WabPZp4l-92JV-g0YtYa06ttSeTDJW2uluPBwNPGfJE7U4iDIxZnARaSv4BqAymPIH3f0Y4GH8~GeornKxxGs1~gEb6FcgEW3RXTwYFY2V4g2YJDXPdUVgz2Ir9DdQYtVU1GWLIaTRbgwMBPYwt2DL15yYs4FpQ0XdzDPMtgg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County staff reported steep, recent increases in electricity and natural gas costs that they said have widened the county’s 2025 operating shortfall and will affect the 2026 budget.

Eric (staff member) told legislators that the county budgeted just under $400,000 this year for electricity and had planned for a roughly 10–12% increase, based on a three‑year average. \"National Grid...dropped a bombshell on us here in Upstate New York,\" Eric said, and the county’s electricity costs \"have more than doubled...over the past couple of months,\" primarily because of higher delivery charges, he said.

Ken (staff member) and others later supplied numeric breakdowns during the same discussion. Staff said the immediate impact includes roughly $247,000 in additional electric costs and about $138,050 in added natural gas costs for the current year. Eric told the legislature he was projecting roughly a $600,000 increase in utilities for next year, though he said he had not yet received the final monthly billing that would let him provide a firm figure.

Why it matters: the county pays utilities for many facilities, and staff said some departments (for example social services and other off‑campus offices) may be billed back for usage. Legislators asked whether the county can recoup some expenses from other jurisdictions or adjust intergovernmental charges for inmates and other shared services; staff said that chargebacks depend on individual departments’ remaining budgets and are not automatic.

What officials said and what’s next: staff attributed the higher delivery charges to utility infrastructure upgrades and changes in statewide energy flows; Eric said growth in transmission needs to supply downstate demand has driven delivery‑charge increases in Upstate New York. Legislators pressed for more detailed figures and for any available recoupment options; staff said they would provide updated averages and a hard monthly number when the next bill arrives.

The discussion occurred while the legislature moved through routine budget amendments and personnel resolutions; legislators voted on related operating budget adjustments during the meeting. No new, specific policy action (for example, a change in county billing rules) was approved during the discussion, and staff said further follow‑up will be needed to finalize next year’s budget numbers.

Ending: Staff said updated figures would be circulated to legislators as soon as the monthly bill is available so the legislature can finalize budget decisions for 2026.","County staff told legislators this week that recent increases in National Grid delivery charges and fees have more than doubled electricity costs for county facilities, producing a multi‑hundred‑thousand‑dollar hit to the 2025 operating budget and larger projected increases for 2026.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: committee actions, budget amendments and contracts moved to full board

Assigned counsel funding request draws criticism; committee seeks more detail and delays full approval

Officials warn county accounting system needs replacement; departments resist switch and costs are rising

County outlines 2026 capital priorities: landfill leachate lateral, jail lock replacement and other placeholders

County officials say National Grid delivery charges drove sharp utility cost increases; budget impact discussed