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Schenectady County Legislature passes package of resolutions on funding, airport apron, leases and appointments; schedules local law hearing
Summary
At its September meeting the Schenectady County Legislature approved a set of resolutions including acceptance of state and federal grants for indigent defense and an airport apron reconstruction, confirmation of board appointments, several contracts and leases, and called a public hearing on a proposed change to the county charter.
The Schenectady County Legislature on Sept. 9, 2025, approved a series of resolutions that authorize grant acceptance, confirm appointments, and authorize leases and agreements for county facilities and services. Most measures passed on voice or roll-call votes, with the clerk recording 13 aye votes and 2 absences on the roll calls shown in the record.
Why it matters: The package covers recurring program funding for indigent legal defense, capital work at the Schenectady County Airport that reduces the county—s local match, lease and office consolidation steps at 1 Broadway Center, and routine appointments that affect county operations. Together the actions affect county budgets, facilities and service delivery.
The legislature approved a resolution to accept monies from the New York State Office of Indigent Legal Services to continue funding public defender and conflict defender staff salaries for a three-year period beginning Jan. 1, 2024 and ending Dec. 31, 2026. The clerk recorded the roll call as 13 aye, 2 absent.
Lawmakers also approved acceptance of federal and state funding for the General Aviation North Apron reconstruction project at the Schenectady County Airport. Presentations to the body said the project came in under budget and that the state increased its share of the match so the county—s local match would be reduced to 2.5 percent. The resolution passed on roll call (13 aye, 2 absent).
The legislature confirmed multiple appointments to county boards and commissions through a rules committee resolution. The appointments covered several bodies, including the county public health advisory board, the county environmental advisory council and the library board of trustees. The confirmation resolution passed on roll call (13 aye, 2 absent).
Other approved measures included: - A resolution authorizing a supplemental agreement with the New York Air National Guard (roll call recorded as passed). - A resolution conveying easements to Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation and Verizon New York Inc. (passed). - A lease authorization with CIDC Broadway LLC for office space at 1 Broadway Center in the city of Schenectady; members noted the lease and related actions are part of efforts to consolidate county operations (passed). - An agreement with the Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority for parking spaces in support of the planned move to 1 Broadway Center (passed). - A resolution to create and eliminate certain county positions in various offices (passed). - Confirmation of Paul G. Romano as director of the Real Property Tax Service Agency (passed).
On procedural business related to a proposed charter change, the legislature scheduled a public hearing on Proposed Local Law C of 2025 (changes to the county charter and administrative code affecting the office of human services, human resources and civil service) for Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, at 7 p.m. The sponsor then moved to lay Proposed Local Law C on the table; the motion to table was approved.
Votes at a glance (as recorded in the meeting): - Resolution 1-27 (ceremonial): Proclaim September 2025 as Hunger Action Month — adopted (roll call: 13 aye, 2 absent). - Resolution 1-28 (ceremonial): Honor Hispanic Heritage Month 2025 — adopted (13 aye, 2 absent). - Resolution 1-29: Acceptance of monies from New York State Office of Indigent Legal Services (01/01/2024–12/31/2026) — passed (13 aye, 2 absent). - Resolution 1-30: Acceptance of FAA and NYSDOT funds for General Aviation North Apron reconstruction (county local match reduced to 2.5%) — passed (13 aye, 2 absent). - Resolution 1-31: Confirm appointments to various boards, councils and commissions — passed (13 aye, 2 absent). - Resolution 1-32: Acceptance of monies from a New York State office (text read as presented) — passed (13 aye, 2 absent). - Resolution 1-33: Create and eliminate certain county positions — passed (13 aye, 2 absent). - Resolution 1-34: Call a public hearing on Proposed Local Law C of 2025 (hearing set for Oct. 6, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.) — passed (13 aye, 2 absent); the sponsor later moved to lay the proposed local law on the table and the motion to table was carried. - Resolution 1-35: Confirm appointment of Paul G. Romano as director, Real Property Tax Service Agency — passed (13 aye, 2 absent). - Resolution 1-36: Authorize county manager to enter into a supplemental agreement with the New York Air National Guard — passed (13 aye, 2 absent). - Resolution 1-37: Convey easements to Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation and Verizon New York Inc. — passed (13 aye, 2 absent). - Resolution 1-38: Authorize county manager to enter lease with CIDC Broadway LLC for office space at 1 Broadway Center, city of Schenectady — passed (13 aye, 2 absent). - Resolution 1-39: Authorize county manager to enter agreement with Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority for parking spaces — passed (13 aye, 2 absent).
Members recorded routine motions and roll-call votes; the meeting record shows consistent roll-call outcomes of 13 aye votes with two legislators absent for the roll-call items recorded.
The legislature adjourned after the roll calls. Several items (notably the proposed local law C) will proceed to a public hearing before any final adoption.
Ending: The approvals mark administrative and capital steps for the county ahead of a planned consolidation to 1 Broadway Center and continued funding for public defense and county services.
