Votes at a glance: Lewis County committees approve contracts, transfers and leases
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Summary
Committees approved a package of resolutions including maintenance contracts, budget transfers, social‑service agreements, a Motorola software purchase, warming‑center funding and several leases and capital actions; most measures carried without recorded opposition.
Lewis County committees approved a series of resolutions on contracts, budget transfers, leases and capital actions during their Oct. 21 meetings. Most items passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition.
Key approvals
- HVAC maintenance contract (DMV/Board of Elections building): Committee authorized a renewal agreement with Trane Building Services for janitorial and HVAC maintenance for the DMV/Board of Elections building for Jan. 1, 2026–Dec. 31, 2028 at the following amounts: 2026 — $13,320; 2027 — $14,023.20; 2028 — $14,768.59. Outcome: carried.
- Budget transfers: Approved a $50,000 transfer in the district attorney account lines for additional professional services and a $39,640 transfer in highway account lines for increased bridge material costs. Outcome: carried.
- Lease (donation of land use): Authorized a 99‑year lease agreement with Bonnie Hodkinson for use of a property identified by tax map number; the use is donated with no charge to the county. Outcome: carried.
- Land‑access leases for parking: Authorized the director of recreation, forestry and parks to enter land‑access lease agreements with landowners to establish parking lots for recreation users in Lewis County. Outcome: carried.
Human Services committee approvals
- Pivot/Oasis substance‑misuse prevention: Authorized a renewal agreement with the Alcohol and Substance Abuse Council of Jefferson County (DBA Pivot) to operate an OASIS substance‑misuse prevention program, not to exceed $314,902 for Jan. 1–Dec. 31, 2026. The resolution also includes a provision for Pivot to contribute $2,594 per month toward building operational costs at the Laubel location from Jan. 1, 2026–Dec. 31, 2030. Outcome: carried.
- Behavioral‑health and social‑service agreements: Authorized renewal agreements with coordinated care services, Rubens (sic) Knutsen & Associates and the Mental Health Association in Jefferson County for specified programs for Jan. 1–Dec. 31, 2026, and a technical amendment to Coordinated Care to add $4,600 for additional fiscal officer support time. Outcome: carried.
- Motorola LEHI Plus: Authorized purchase of Motorola LEHI Plus subscription software and maintenance for the emergency communications system (CAD, RMS, mobile data) on a five‑year term beginning May 1, 2026, with annual payments of $65,000. Outcome: carried.
- Childcare inspection agreements: Authorized agreements with the New York State Office of Children and Family Services for federal funding ($10,567.50 per quarter for acceptable performance) and a contract with Community Action Planning Council of Jefferson County to conduct family‑day‑care registration and inspections in Lewis County at an annual cost not to exceed $40,157. Outcome: carried.
- Security and shelter services: Authorized a six‑month renewal with ICU Security for armed security guard services at the Human Services building (Jan. 1–June 30, 2026), and authorized a renewal with Nurkle to provide facility, staffing and amenities for a warming center for overnight stays at a cost of $134,744.71 for the season (Nov. 1, 2025–Apr. 1, 2026). Outcome: carried.
- Foster care and preschool services: Authorized agreements with multiple agencies for foster care, emergency respite, residential and treatment services (Jan. 1, 2026–Dec. 31, 2027) and authorized agreements with Milestones Children’s Center and The Treehouse Hourly Childcare for preschool special‑education services. Outcome: carried.
- Appointments and proclamations: Appointed Paige Wiley (Watertown) to the Community Services Board mental‑health subcommittee to fill an unexpired term and approved support for Operation Green Light (Nov. 4–11) in recognition of veterans and service members. Outcome: carried.
Finance committee approvals and other actions
- 2026 tentative budget: County manager Tim Hunt presented the tentative 2026 budget for review. The legislature set a public hearing on the 2026 tentative budget for November (public hearing to begin at 5:00 p.m.). The tentative general‑fund budget presented was $71,000,000 with a total county budget (including other funds) of approximately $83.7 million; the packet includes a larger consolidated county budget with the hospital. The presentation said the proposed levy would be about $20,766,000 and that the tax rate is projected at $6.17 per $1,000 (a decrease from the prior year). Action: public hearing set.
- BOCES/JCC lease and purchase option agreement: Authorized simultaneous lease agreements with BOCES that include reciprocal purchase options, with BOCES to pay $1,300,000 over a 10‑year period (details and mapping to be provided for property boundaries). Outcome: carried.
- Cornerstone preclosing possession and bus‑shelter easement: Authorized a modification and extension with Cornerstone to provide preclosing possession of 5960 Main St., Glenfield, and to address maintenance obligations and an easement for a bus shelter. Outcome: carried.
- CDBG closeout public hearing and comprehensive‑plan contract: Set a Dec. 2 public hearing on the closeout of CDBG project #636HR300‑23 (Housing Rehabilitation Program) and awarded the comprehensive‑plan contract to La Bella Associates, not to exceed $215,275. Outcome: hearings set and contract awarded.
- Capital account reallocation: Closed out capital account HAR and reappropriated remaining funds of $396,601.05 to HAC (capital buildings and grounds). Outcome: carried.
Most votes were taken by voice and recorded as "all in favor say aye" with no recorded opposition. Where financial figures and contract lengths were read into the record, the resolutions were moved and carried in committee.
The committee minutes record no motions for executive session and adjournments followed each committee's business.
