[{"_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",6427059,"mediaKeyId","5897123-59c27bd01fec64fe62364f32b2628a0c","parentId",5897123,"title","Chemung County Legislature moves to require its consent before terminating Elmira shared‑service agreements","audioSeconds",2993,"startMs",1327000,"endMs",4320000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5897123-59c27bd01fec64fe62364f32b2628a0c&start=1327&end=4320","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5897123-59c27bd01fec64fe62364f32b2628a0c/thumbnail_1327000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6427059/Chemung-County/New-York/Chemung-County-Legislature-moves-to-require-its-consent-before-terminating-Elmira-sharedservice-agreements","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6427059-e7afede1f71c1bfbdc16ff0e22300ee5/orig.mp4?Expires=1775091398&Signature=YsdjmFCQylyYQGrwGdQ~sxo4wUEkXAHyWFPel1CRL-xV2kVq~EbcvkvxSJoZ27g26HdFY0Fqk8GnpPbtT48t65R3EUkgifswMaFUc87XYlbsw3r5pFUWrDEhobdMJT334wGetAIC566dDCoj6w5w8o5CGJWN0~bQUE6zWatle3EkCqoKKafBQz9uvVT9yiF-4EdA2RA3N32UAjvRS0jlo3O18vEt8Di9XA-d1wmieFD3mLSwM26CYq21bB73cbOvedTngJ~Qs~Rz0IOb1~4fllM6nT9hlZBAINKFC8cfgKHlXN8-x8mRw-d1LH9fLiblMqddfdeUF0Wg73yrNgKXpQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Chemung County","date","2025-10-06T19:00:00Z","article","Elmira officials told the Chemung County Legislature on Thursday that decades‑old shared‑service agreements — including public works (streets/DPW), buildings and grounds, IT and insurance arrangements — changed the city’s tax and operating picture and that the city seeks renegotiation or additional sales‑tax distribution to offset new costs.

The Legislature voted to amend and clarify a 2015 resolution (15‑114) to explicitly state that any termination of shared‑service agreements entered pursuant to that 2015 resolution requires the expressed consent of the Legislature. The vote followed more than an hour of presentations and discussion between county and city officials about how the agreements were structured and the fiscal effects on Elmira.

Why it matters: Elmira officials said the 2015 shared‑service arrangements were negotiated when the city faced severe fiscal pressure and agreed to share services in exchange for changes to sales‑tax distribution. City presenters said those changes reduced Elmira’s sales‑tax share and that returning certain functions to the city has generated new, sizable costs. County officials said the agreements also produced administrative savings and services that would otherwise have required new city staff and that any change must be negotiated in the context of county fiscal constraints.

City presentation: Mike Collins, Elmira city manager, and Charmaine Cartan, Elmira city chamberlain, told the Legislature the 2015 arrangements included shared health insurance, DPW (streets), buildings and grounds, chamberlain services and IT. Collins said the city’s sales‑tax share fell from 12.33% in 2014 to as low as 7.87% in later years and currently sits at about 8.167%. The city’s presenters showed a cumulative figure they said represented lost sales‑tax receipts since 2015 of about $22,800,000 and said 38.55% of property parcels in the city are tax‑exempt (listing examples such as New York State, Chemung County, Arnot‑Ogden Medical Center, Elmira College and the Elmira City School District).

Cartan walked the Legislature through the city’s payments to the county after services returned. She said buildings and grounds (B&G) returned to Elmira after a period in which the county provided the service and the city now is repaying roughly $900,000 over five years for previously incurred costs (about $181,000 per year). She described IT costs that were not billed promptly and then were charged to the city in later years, creating lumpy increases in 2022–2024.

County response and negotiations: Chemung County Executive Chris Moss said he has offered to continue negotiating and that his office also offered specific proposals, including a gradual transition of DPW back to the city over four years with ongoing fringe coverage by the county; Moss estimated the fully restored city cost at roughly $2,000,000 per year when all pay and benefits are included. Moss told the Legislature he does not want to unilaterally “abolish” agreements and that any final plan must preserve county fiscal stability while addressing the city’s stress.

Legislative debate and authority: Several legislators pressed for clarity about who may terminate or amend the shared‑service contracts. Adam (legislative counsel) explained the 2015 resolution’s intent and recommended clarifying language to remove ambiguity about whether termination requires legislative approval. After extended discussion — including concerns from legislators who said the buildings‑and‑grounds transition in a previous year had been handled without a clear vote here — the Legislature voted to adopt the clarifying amendment.

Votes at a glance:
- Resolution authorizing transfers and appropriations by the county executive; and resolution awarding a contract to Garnett Asphalt Products Inc., for Elmira‑Corning Regional Airport — moved and approved together (no roll‑call vote tally provided in the record). Outcome: approved.
- Resolution clarifying and amending Resolution 15‑114 (the 2015 shared‑services resolution) so that termination of agreements entered under that resolution requires the Legislature’s expressed consent — mover: John (legislator); second: Marty (legislator). Outcome: approved.
- Resolution(s) approving applications for disbursement of Community Development funds (county executive application and legislature application) — motion approved; one abstention was recorded (legislator Mark Strange declared a conflict of interest with a grant to the Josh Palmer Fund and abstained). Outcome: approved (1 abstention).

What’s next: City and county officials said they will continue negotiations with financial teams from both jurisdictions. City leaders asked for increased sales‑tax distribution as one possible remedy; county leaders said any change must be balanced against county obligations and staffing/union commitments.

Ending: Officials on both sides told the Legislature they are willing to continue talks. The adopted clarification makes clear that any future unilateral termination of shared‑service agreements executed under the 2015 resolution will require the Legislature’s explicit approval before taking effect.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Legislative Standing Budget Committee","oneSentenceSummary","After debate with Elmira officials, the Legislature approved a resolution clarifying that shared‑service agreements entered under a 2015 resolution may not be terminated without expressed consent of the Legislature. The session also included presentations from Elmira leadership on the financial effects of past shared services.","taxTitle","Chemung County, New York","taxId",12531,"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},6427049,"Treasurer’s office highlights $4 million in interest earnings and a 91 'cash‑vest' score",1230,1340000,2570000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5897123-59c27bd01fec64fe62364f32b2628a0c&start=1340&end=2570","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5897123-59c27bd01fec64fe62364f32b2628a0c/thumbnail_1340000.jpg","/articles/6427049/Chemung-County/New-York/Treasurers-office-highlights-4-million-in-interest-earnings-and-a-91-cashvest-score","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6427049-82ff020b6ea86624a6512f0a62af7355/orig.mp4?Expires=1775091398&Signature=MIwYjGwqtLakcq5ZaLObCqptwm5ThYaqMyDN2HOIhaxDZ8I1xFOJLu9TPAhIIFiA8ReXZB8510m8uplNTjIdRoM-avjUlD26cPu7nMPH5kkLdTUFAU8AQ07l2EsVcyeOWyD~i2JGquGoG7b0zP57UPN8a6QJTt4WIJeUm8LEJ4QtRNDvEll30mihflvFfM7tH9WQOcHCVakehrksd8clgUOd7jdHbvVYzRyTjI5covaEwxiALLz2MXi7R89jrJlOs7BGy~VP~Svw98Fa7-Koz8Q5PULo46i-MZKYuHrp4nsT1lGyQ1GO~02xdkXHg0g~US6xQ8WF3qMVB1wZ2oT1VQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Alex DeRosa of 3plus1 presented the county treasurer’s office with data showing improved cash management and interest earnings. DeRosa said the county’s “cash‑vest” score — a 0–100 metric 3plus1 uses to evaluate liquidity and investment performance — has been consistent at 91 for Chemung County and the treasurer’s office produced more than $4,000,000 in interest earnings in the most recent 12‑month period.

The presentation described how the treasurer’s office balances liquidity (cash readily available for payments) against locked‑in investments that currently total about $45 million at an average rate of roughly 4.18%. DeRosa said recent county locks on multi‑month investments yielded rates in the 4.2–4.25% range, which helped protect forecastable interest revenue even as market rates began to decline in recent months.

Caitlin Kellogg, Chemung County treasurer, said the 3plus1 tool helps the office decide which cash to keep liquid and which to place in higher‑yield instruments while maintaining access to day‑to‑day payment balances. DeRosa cautioned that interest earnings are not a guaranteed, stable revenue source: treasury receipts depend on interest rates, federal and state funding flows, and the county’s own cash balance behavior.

Key figures and context: DeRosa reported more than 52,000 transactions through the treasurer’s office in the past 12 months, more than $1.2 billion of money movement in accounts, and about $45 million in locked investments earning above 4% on average. He said over 90% of county cash resides in high‑yield accounts or locked investments and that, historically, prior to 2019 the county kept a much larger share of balances in low‑yield accounts.

Costs and vendor disclosure: DeRosa said 3plus1 is a data and analytics vendor and does not manage county funds. He reported the vendor fee to the county was approximately $28,000 annually; DeRosa said the firm’s value is demonstrated each quarter by the county maintaining a high cash‑vest score and interest‑earnings performance.

Bottom line: The treasurer’s office is generating material non‑tax revenue through active cash management, but presenters urged caution: falling market rates, declining federal pandemic funds and possible changes in sales tax receipts could reduce that income in future budgets. The treasurer and consultant recommended continued conservative planning and regular review of cash positions.

Ending: Legislators asked questions about vendor fees, how interest gains compare to costs, and the role of local banks. The treasurer’s office said it will continue using data tools and active investment strategies to support the county budget.","Consultant 3plus1 reported Chemung County’s proactive cash management earned over $4 million in interest in the past 12 months and maintained a high ‘cash‑vest’ performance score; panelists cautioned that interest‑rate and fund‑balance changes could reduce that revenue going forward.",{"_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},6427032,"Budget committee hears payroll 'breakage' report; nursing facility and jail staffing shortages drive contract costs",103,4329000,4432000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5897123-59c27bd01fec64fe62364f32b2628a0c&start=4329&end=4432","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5897123-59c27bd01fec64fe62364f32b2628a0c/thumbnail_4329000.jpg","/articles/6427032/Chemung-County/New-York/Budget-committee-hears-payroll-breakage-report-nursing-facility-and-jail-staffing-shortages-drive-contract-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6427032-c3c7b93285a2e5a663376327c241d778/orig.mp4?Expires=1775091398&Signature=n4y3PULj7Itbl0p9YoJytNKaPmXcFyvnDsEV9Vmb01qOwMa2m6ZFpTCJ~7hgOyqkXpvCaDplbqiJ4yxHX-GzFCXS6oT-v6~RdOZI2gISQvva3-3u1zutrpUgTWk03OqhjWjqaNuxEGcyi~WAfNEb-IGh~sewg8PK0Ythm1Kz7FPFqQdvViG-1bG8iAlBCOmFxG~QgeU6Au5N27F-eC60CEi0Nop-YKATLqhE~RETgFk1rf7IUdEdEuEZCC9JYHFKWGF2vIh4ERkupEWuTxptzaHaJAP14KCSwrZrirZw0Py~fHgVCVWCZCdTEP5DUQExal6XPONc-yI0jshIxnjAgQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County finance staff briefed the Legislature on payroll “breakage” — the difference between budgeted payroll and actual payroll spending caused by vacancies — and the fiscal effect when that unused payroll is used to cover contracted staffing and mandated overtime.

Finance staff explained that the county budgets payroll based on rosters and staffing plans, but when vacancies persist the county sometimes must hire third‑party staffing agencies or pay overtime (particularly at the nursing facility and county jail) in order to meet state‑mandated staffing levels. Those contract and overtime costs are paid from payroll appropriations that otherwise would have funded regular hires, the presenter said.

Examples and mechanics: At the nursing facility, mandated staffing means the facility must meet a minimum number of on‑duty staff. If vacancies remain, the county hires agency clinical staff to meet the requirement; the agency costs are typically higher than in‑house payroll but are funded from the same payroll appropriations because the county cannot double‑count the positions. The presenter noted the county is not alone in this problem and that long‑term workforce shortages in health care and corrections have driven reliance on contracted labor.

Fiscal impact and accounting: The finance office presented a “snapshot” method to estimate non‑local (state/federal) impacts and the local share of breakage. Staff warned the figure is a point‑in‑time estimate that should be reassessed as vacancies change. Legislators asked whether the county could budget both payroll and contracted staffing (which would duplicate appropriations); staff said that would be inappropriate and lead to double funding for the same operational need.

Ending: Legislators discussed recruitment, retention and the relative costs of recruiting permanent staff versus continuing to pay higher rates to agencies. Finance staff said the county will continue to monitor vacancies, report updates, and adjust budgets where possible.","County finance staff explained how unfilled positions (payroll 'breakage') shift costs to contracted staffing and raise operating expenditures; presenters said mandated staffing requirements at the nursing facility and jail make contracted labor expensive but necessary when vacancies persist.",{"_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},6427036,"Chemung County tourism officials tout new website, travel guide and popular 'ice‑cream trail'",649,2205000,2854000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5897123-59c27bd01fec64fe62364f32b2628a0c&start=2205&end=2854","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5897123-59c27bd01fec64fe62364f32b2628a0c/thumbnail_2205000.jpg","/articles/6427036/Chemung-County/New-York/Chemung-County-tourism-officials-tout-new-website-travel-guide-and-popular-icecream-trail","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6427036-a020c2e02602fdc1ac7375986581c97e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775091398&Signature=oZL604yZSI3WAw4pt2y1f~hW-s0CCtlyn4Vv0QmIrXoCS6KMXrZE9zB8xCQM5qCRcZvImLyM3w9Wlvbi9MlWA8m9pmrntOviCtovyXR128-Yoqz5uH563LJwlHsYWH~2-LL1Ed36h1t0oIeEU60plrNwj1panb6GMce6eWlV-4SQmAKIWG6KaST9~jUFnDCdIxfNuKLHRaHwiJRP-Z1UjAEbtSfLPiieZQBjEjBdXM1~KFv~vYc9zTHc0QESuHXs5M8qDg0Ej~aadBmTdwI2T4Nz~6G0bcF26LtlYc7LG20SChIIe7KGe4P0W-hzlmGTDAEI7hi7EAkhncvEZ1RwzQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chemung County Tourism Promotion Agency and Chamber of Commerce officials presented a progress report that highlighted a new website, a freshly printed travel guide, and a summer “ice‑cream trail” passport that organizers said drew widespread local and regional participation.

Alexis Ralston, the county’s tourism manager, said the new site (discoverchemung.com) launched in mid‑August and has attracted more than 1,600 visitors with an average time on site over two minutes. Ralston said the office is auditing about 300 destination and lodging listings and adding roughly 50 new pages of content in phases through spring 2026.

Travel guide and distribution: The tourism office printed 50,000 copies of a redesigned travel guide (up from a 35,000 typical run) after distributors reported strong demand. The office said 43,000 copies will go to distributors and 7,000 will remain with the Chamber to distribute locally.

Ice‑cream trail and promotions: Ralston described the ice‑cream passport program — 16 participating shops — as a surprise success: more than 3,000 people picked up passports and organizers estimated hundreds of completions (they distributed hundreds of T‑shirts as prizes). Using conservative assumptions about on‑site spending, tourism staff estimated a direct incremental spend in the low hundreds of thousands of dollars from passport participants, but they noted their estimate is conservative and that total economic impact is likely higher.

Economic snapshot: Tourism staff also reported statewide data showing visitor spending in Chemung County reached more than $116 million in 2024, a 3.1% increase over 2023 and the county’s best year on record. Tourism staff said the county supports about 1,600 tourism‑related jobs and that lodging, food and retail are major categories of visitor spending.

Budget and staffing: Ralston said the TPA operates with a roughly $294,000 operating and marketing budget for 2025; about $240,000 comes from hotel/motel tax (occupancy tax) and under $55,000 from state matching funds. She said roughly $70,000 of the budget supports programming and memberships (regional tourism partnerships) and about $9,000 remains for marketing this year after core costs and a large print run of travel guides were funded.

Requests and next steps: Tourism leaders asked legislators to consider increased funding to support targeted paid marketing and additional programming; they said further investment would support planned attractions such as a treetop walkway at Tanglewood Nature Center and expanded regional promotion.

Ending: Legislators praised the work and encouraged coordination across upcoming attractions and events; tourism staff said they will continue to expand content on the new site and distribute travel guides to partners and visitors.","Chamber/TPA staff reported a new DiscoverChemung website, a redesigned travel guide and an ice‑cream passport program that drew thousands of participants; staff said 2024 visitor spending reached a county record of over $116 million.",{"_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},6427044,"Board of Elections says new legislative maps will be implemented Jan. 1, 2026; polling places mostly unchanged",293,2853000,3146000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5897123-59c27bd01fec64fe62364f32b2628a0c&start=2853&end=3146","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5897123-59c27bd01fec64fe62364f32b2628a0c/thumbnail_2853000.jpg","/articles/6427044/Chemung-County/New-York/Board-of-Elections-says-new-legislative-maps-will-be-implemented-Jan-1-2026-polling-places-mostly-unchanged","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6427044-0049f0b2d11e8e49e4c55617484190c7/orig.mp4?Expires=1775091398&Signature=fXVkNh0~RZQ9nzbleL6ZKW1plvLxDlIhre2kK-ZtbSvZynxaNdZwXqQT6JbCeK3IvXSeCJtyAjyxo0issyEVifbyq~7UXYgk-UVASvRn-BggOTmE0Z2fRYUJzJi9Z63cR5ENhe5SlGer3a4lSt~dmGVT8tSKyVpePBfC4LRbYan~iSmcNBbGQd89PZpnianVkKzUzBTSzscNUFGfUULvzazpEsphCFMBtrE0bYwZxcnWDLNe~tsJT4ZHltJDYylg68faXZ3Kzkq~KkxwnGvBXdB71~~8hkRTqbDHZ9zzdYyRdo41VWNoDcbLSfJDoT-Fne~DsMPy44CxYlpd-qfJag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chemung County Board of Elections officials told the Legislature their office is on track to implement legislative district lines approved in November 2022, with the new lines taking effect Jan. 1, 2026.

Commissioner Mary Collins and board staff said the vendor NTS — which handles voter‑registration databases for many New York counties — has been engaged to produce the implementation files. Because the new lines will not take effect for this fall’s election, the Board said it will finalize data after the November election is certified and expects to have updated voter databases and precinct assignments ready by mid‑December for use starting Jan. 1, 2026.

Polling places: Officials said that, in general, polling locations will remain the same; the change is to election‑district lines rather than polling‑site assignments. They noted state guidance can require wholly contained election districts for villages below certain population thresholds, and that could create one or two additional election districts in small villages (the presenters cited Millport and Wellsburg as examples). Any change in the number of election districts would not necessarily change the physical polling sites, the board said.

Process and timing: The board said NTS provided an initial fee estimate (about $8,600) for data services. Work began in May, a stop‑work order occurred in July while contractual details were clarified, and board staff said the project is again moving forward with the county executive’s office. Commissioners emphasized the new lines will be used for candidate filing and elections in 2026 and that incumbents will serve current lines through Dec. 31, 2026.

Ending: Board officials offered to provide the Legislature with updated materials once the election certification is complete this fall and the mapping files are finalized for December deployment.","Board of Elections staff told the Legislature redistricting lines approved in 2022 will be implemented Jan. 1, 2026 and will be used for the 2026 election cycle. Officials said they expect few changes to polling locations but small election‑district adjustments could arise to meet state rules on village populations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Chemung County Legislature moves to require its consent before terminating Elmira shared‑service agreements

Treasurer’s office highlights $4 million in interest earnings and a 91 'cash‑vest' score

Budget committee hears payroll 'breakage' report; nursing facility and jail staffing shortages drive contract costs

Chemung County tourism officials tout new website, travel guide and popular 'ice‑cream trail'

Board of Elections says new legislative maps will be implemented Jan. 1, 2026; polling places mostly unchanged