Ways and Means committee approves multiple grants, a position refill and insurance recovery

The Allegany County Ways and Means Committee on Jan. 22 approved multiple resolutions to accept and apply for grant funding, authorize a personnel refill in Planning and accept an insurance settlement.

The committee approved actions including reappropriating federal or external funds for the county fairgrounds, accepting a $46,613.78 insurance settlement, applying for several state and nonprofit grants, authorizing a planning position refill, and accepting a $50,000 Community Development Block Grant to finance a housing market assessment.

Committee members voted by voice for each item; meeting minutes and audits were also approved at the start of the session.

The county clerk requested a resolution to accept an insurance check. The county clerk said, “I’m requesting a resolution to accept a check from Nymir in the amount of 46,613.78,” describing the money as “representing the settlement on the June 17 lightning strike here in the County Office Building.” The committee approved that resolution by voice vote.

County Administrator Kristin Knapp requested and the committee approved acceptance and appropriation of a $50,000 Community Development Block Grant to pay for a housing market assessment and development study. County Administrator Kristin Knapp said the work “won’t be” completed in-house and added, “We’ll be hiring a consultant for that.” The chairman was authorized to execute the contract and related documents subject to county attorney review.

Human Services items approved included a resolution authorizing the Office for the Aging to apply for an Elder Abuse Education and Outreach community mini-grant from Lifespan of Greater Rochester on behalf of the Allegany County Elder Abuse Prevention Committee; no county share was required if awarded.

The Commissioner of Social Services, Don Horn, presented two OCFS-related items that passed: a resolution to enter into contract with the New York State Office of Children and Family Services and to appropriate OCFS grant funds listed as $66,666 for partially contracted staff of the Child Advocacy Center and a subscription for the Kaleid Celebra extraction program, and a separate resolution approving the 2024–25 OCFS resource allocation plan totaling $93,312 and authorizing county signatories to execute the agreement and appropriate funds when subcontracts are approved. The motion record shows an adjustment figure of $66,006.66 listed in the budget adjustment narration; the committee record contains both amounts (see clarifying details).

A resolution authorizing application for the 2025 Victim Assistance Grant Program for the Allegany County Child Advocacy Center for Sept. 2025–Sept. 2026 was approved; meeting remarks said the grant would cover salary, fringe, program costs, supplies and other expenses, and that the grant could require matching funds of 20–25% though the Office of Victim Services may waive the match.

Planning and Economic Development items approved included authorization to apply for RFA 262, the County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Planning Grant, to update the county’s Agriculture and Farmland Protection Plan. Director of Planning Kier Durham said the county’s share must be at least 20% in cash (estimated up to $10,000) with up to 80% allowable as in‑kind services.

Planning also requested and received permission to fill one full-time Deputy Director of Planning position (non-union). The position’s annual salary was estimated in committee remarks at $63,000–$90,000 with annual benefits estimated at $26,000–$37,000; remarks indicated the position is funded in the 2025 budget with an unspecified county share percentage.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of minutes for Jan. 8 — passed (voice vote). - Acceptance of audits — passed (voice vote). - Reappropriation of THEC funds for fairgrounds (source: through Congressman Langworthy’s office) — passed (voice vote). - Acceptance of insurance settlement check from Nymir, $46,613.78 — passed (voice vote). - Authorization for Office for the Aging to apply for Elder Abuse Education & Outreach community mini-grant (Lifespan of Greater Rochester) — passed (voice vote). - Contract and appropriation for OCFS grant funds ($66,666 listed; budget adjustment text shows $66,006.66) for Child Advocacy Center subscriptions and partial contracted staff — passed (voice vote). - Approval of OCFS 2024–25 resource allocation plan, $93,312, with authorization to execute and appropriate when subcontracts are approved — passed (voice vote). - Authorization to apply for 2025 Victim Assistance Grant Program for Allegany County Child Advocacy Center (Sept. 2025–Sept. 2026) — passed (voice vote). - Authorization to apply for RFA 262 County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Planning Grant (county match at least 20%, estimated up to $10,000) — passed (voice vote). - Permission to fill one full-time Deputy Director of Planning position (salary estimate $63,000–$90,000; benefits $26,000–$37,000) — passed (voice vote). - Acceptance and appropriation of $50,000 Community Development Block Grant for housing market assessment and development study — passed (voice vote).

Several items noted potential contingencies: the Victim Assistance Grant may require a local match of 20%–25% unless the Office of Victim Services grants a waiver; OCFS subaward appropriations were conditioned on subcontract approvals; the agriculture planning grant requires at least a 20% county cash share and limits on in-kind credits.

The meeting adjourned after a brief administrative item scheduling a short caucus.