Chemung County approves five resolutions on transfers, property auction, contracts and community development disbursements

Chemung County officials approved five resolutions at a budget meeting that covered transfers and appropriations, acceptance of public-auction bids for county-owned properties, a contract for tax-bill services, a purchase agreement with a financial software vendor and disbursement of community development funds.

The measures approved included: a resolution authorizing transfers and appropriations by the county executive; a resolution authorizing the Chemung County treasurer to accept bids received at a public auction that concluded on 05/30/2025; a resolution authorizing an agreement with GST BOCES for tax-bill printing and tax-system administration; a resolution authorizing a purchase agreement with DebtBook on behalf of the county treasurer; and a resolution approving certain applications for disbursement of community development funds.

Why it matters: the package adjusts county fiscal accounts, disposes of county-owned real property through auction, commits the county to vendor agreements for tax-billing services, and approves local projects funded through community development grants.

Officials discussed several details during debate. A county staff member, Rachel (staff member), said the $50,005.38 in ARP money being transferred was “an allotment that came from the state” and that the transfer represents funds the county identified as eligible for ARP and moved to reduce the budgeted fund balance. She added the allotment “came a couple years ago” and that the state was working to make sure unobligated funds were not returned to the federal government.

Board members also asked about contingency money and grant accounting. A budget contingency of $815,025 was confirmed as unused so far. A transfer labeled BARO932 was identified as splitting a grant between the sheriff’s office and the emergency management office; county staff said the split had been discussed with the granting agency and the use was approved, with a deadline tied to the grant of Sept. 30.

On the auction, Caitlin, the Chemung County treasurer, said the public auction that concluded May 30 produced bids for all listed properties but cautioned that “not everyone completes the purchase.” She said proceeds “go into escrow, and any excess is filed at the current’s office.” If a bidder fails to complete a purchase, properties will proceed to a second round of sales.

For the community development disbursements, staff said one application was for the Town of Southport to replace a slide at a park and another was for an agricultural society’s fair. County attorneys advised that those disbursements are authorized under existing law but that a recently passed local law is subject to a permissive referendum; the county must wait five days for the permissive referendum process before following up with the state for any purposes not permitted under existing New York State law.

All five resolutions were approved by voice vote during the meeting. The chair called for the vote and recorded the motion as carried.

The actions affect county finances and property disposition processes; officials said staff will continue to manage auction closings and grant deadlines as required.