Allegany County Legislature approves sales-tax extension, authorizes hires and grant reallocations

Allegany County lawmakers on Jan. 22 moved to begin the county’s two‑year sales‑tax extension process, approved a series of personnel hires across departments and reallocated unspent federal grant dollars while authorizing several grant applications and equipment purchases.

The sales‑tax extension measure, introduced by the county treasurer as the first step in a routine two‑year application process, would extend the county’s share from 3 percent to 4.5 percent for the county portion of the tax for the next two‑year cycle. County Treasurer Brenda explained the action is intended to help hold the line on property taxes by increasing the local sales‑tax share; the Legislature voted to move the extension forward (moved by Vertical; seconded by Hilli). The motion carried on a voice vote.

Why it matters: The county’s general fund relies mainly on property and sales taxes. Extending the sales‑tax share is intended to preserve county revenues without raising property‑tax rates, the treasurer said during the meeting.

The Legislature approved multiple personnel actions across departments. Thomas Windus, county superintendent of public works, requested permission to fill one full‑time engineer technician position; the board approved the hire. The sheriff requested several staffing actions: authorization to apply for mental‑health and equipment grants, one full‑time correction sergeant position, and two full‑time corrections‑officer positions. The board also approved a request from the conflict defender, Peter Degnan, to fill one full‑time secretary to the conflict defender; and the Board of Elections sought permission to hire two seasonal level‑1 machine technicians for the 2025 cycle. County Clerk Robert Chrisman requested one full‑time senior recording clerk in his office; that request was approved.

Grants and reappropriations: The Legislature approved resolutions to reappropriate unspent balances from the 2022 and 2023 Homeland Security Grant Program and from the 2023 Emergency Management Performance Grant so departments can spend those funds before grant expiration. Acting director of emergency management services Bonnie Vanhausen presented the grant balances and explained that federal and state grant fiscal years sometimes overlap the county’s fiscal calendar, which requires periodic reappropriation. The board also authorized Sheriff Scott Ciccarello to apply for the New York CARES UP sustainability grant (potentially $40,000 over two years) and for a New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services Program Development Equipment Grant to purchase law‑enforcement equipment.

Votes at a glance: - Motion to begin two‑year sales‑tax extension (move county share from 3% to 4.5%): moved by Vertical, seconded by Hilli; outcome: approved (voice vote). - Permission to fill one full‑time public‑works engineer technician (salary range $42,617–$51,845; benefits $17,420–$21,194; 100% county funds, included in 2025 budget): moved by Thomas Windus; outcome: approved. - Permission to fill one full‑time secretary to the conflict defender (salary range $43,000–$62,000; benefits $17,000–$25,000; 100% state funds, included in 2025 budget): moved by Peter Degnan; outcome: approved. - Resolution to reappropriate unspent funds from the 2022 Homeland Security Grant Program (balance to reallocate: approximately $31,700): outcome: approved. - Resolution to reappropriate unspent funds from the 2023 Homeland Security Grant Program (balance to reallocate: approximately $20,288): outcome: approved. - Resolution to reappropriate unspent funds from the 2023 Emergency Management Performance Grant (balance to reallocate: approximately $5,319): outcome: approved. - Authorization to apply for New York CARES UP sustainability grant (potential $40,000 over two years): outcome: approved. - Authorization to apply for NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services Program Development Equipment Grant: outcome: approved. - Permission to fill one full‑time correction sergeant (salary range $54,000–$67,000; benefits $22,000–$27,000; 100% county funds, included in 2025 budget): outcome: approved. - Permission to fill two full‑time corrections officers (salary range $50,000–$61,000; benefits $20,000–$25,000; 100% county funds; $37,000 shown in 2025 budget with additional funds identified as available): outcome: approved. - Permission to fill two seasonal level‑1 machine technicians in Board of Elections (annual salary est. $925 each; benefits est. $99 each; 100% county funds, included in 2025 budget): moved by Brent Reynolds and Michael McCormick; outcome: approved. - Permission to fill one full‑time senior recording clerk in the County Clerk’s office (salary range approx. $38,000–$47,000; 100% county funds, included in 2025 budget): outcome: approved.

Discussion and context: Most items drew little debate and were approved on voice votes. Legislators asked clarifying questions about funding sources for hires not fully funded in the 2025 budget; county staff and the county administrator indicated available funds or the need for housekeeping transfers if required. Bonnie Vanhausen explained that reappropriations are routine when grant expiration dates and county fiscal years do not align.

No formal roll‑call tallies were recorded in the transcript; the clerk announced motions carried after voice votes. The meeting included routine approvals of minutes and distributed audits prior to the substantive motions.

Next steps: The sales‑tax extension will proceed as the first formal step in the county’s application process for the upcoming two‑year cycle. Departments that received permission to fill positions may begin hiring consistent with county personnel policies and budget availability.