The Jefferson County Board of Legislators on Jan. 7 approved a series of resolutions that included a local law adopting a 2025 management compensation plan, multiple budget reappropriations, and contract authorizations for demolition projects and county service agreements.

Among the actions the board approved: adoption of Local Law (Intro No. 3 of 2024) to approve the county’s 2025 management compensation plan; designation of county depositories and the county’s official newspapers for 2025; delegation to the county auditor of authority to approve certain real property tax refunds; and authorization of agreements with a range of county service providers and nonprofit partners (resolutions grouped as Nos. 5–19 on the agenda).

The board also amended the 2025 county budget to reappropriate funds from multiple sources, including opioid settlement funds; the veterans peer support program; Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funds; and New York State septic system replacement program funds. Those budget amendments were presented and approved by roll call.

Two demolition contracts were authorized: an agreement with Sabre Demolition for demolition of the Deferiet paper mill tied to Restore New York grant funding, and an agreement with ACP Buffalo for demolition of the Abbas Food site. Legislator Navonic spoke in support of the paper-mill demolition and restoration work, thanking former county staff and local officials who helped advance the project. "This is a great day to be able to restore that property," Navonic said, and described the project as a step toward turning around the village after years of decline.

Resolutions listed by topic and outcome (as recorded in the meeting transcript):

- Appointment of successor to District 7 legislator — approved (see separate item).

- Local Law Intro No. 3 of 2024: approving management compensation plan for 2025 — removed from the table and adopted (motion carried).

- Designation of depositories for 2025 — approved.

- Designation of official newspapers for 2025 — approved.

- Delegation to county auditor to approve certain real property tax refunds — approved.

- Grouped agreements (resolutions 5–19) with county agencies and nonprofit partners (includes County Ag Society and Dairy Promotion; Community Action Planning Council of Jefferson County; Cooperative Extension Service of Jefferson County; Disabled Persons Action Organization; Fort Drum Regional Liaison Organization; Jefferson County Historical Society; Jefferson County Local Development Corporation; Northern Regional Center for Independent Living; North Country Library System; Jefferson County Soil and Water Conservation District; Sportfishery Advisory Board; Thompson Park Conservancy; Thousand Islands Regional Tourism Development Corporation; Jefferson County Volunteer Transportation Center; Watertown Urban Mission) — approved as a block.

- Budget amendments (approved by roll call): reappropriation of opioid settlement funds; reappropriation for veterans peer support program; reappropriation of CDBG and HOME funds; reappropriation of New York State septic system replacement program funds — all approved.

- Contract authorizations for demolitions: Sabre Demolition (Deferiet paper mill; tied to Restore New York grant funding) — approved; ACP Buffalo (Abbas Food site) — approved.

Meeting minutes show votes recorded as "Aye" on roll call for the budget amendments and demolition contracts; the transcript records those roll calls and states motions carried. The record does not include roll-call tallies with counts for every resolution in a single consolidated table.

Several legislators used the meeting to acknowledge individuals who worked on the redevelopment efforts referenced in the demolition contracts. Legislator Navonic specifically recognized former county administrator Hagman, former county attorney David Paulson, and a former mayor of Deferiet for their roles in advancing the paper-mill restoration project.

No dissenting votes or motions to table were recorded in the meeting transcript for the items above.