Cayuga County panel authorizes health director to reclassify sheriff overtime for Article 6 reimbursement

The Cayuga County Health & Human Services Committee on an agreed voice vote approved a resolution authorizing the county—s public health director, Kathleen, to reimburse the sheriff's department and the county attorney—s office for work that the health department deems Article 6-eligible so the health department can claim state reimbursement.

Committee members said the change is an accounting mechanism to allow the health department to document the expense on its books and file a state aid claim, rather than a request for new county funding. "It's pretty self-explanatory," Kathleen said, summarizing that the sheriff and county attorney provided work outside their typical duties that the health department can treat as a reimbursable public-health expense.

Members asked whether the $59,000 referenced in the materials was an added professional-services line or a budget adjustment. County finance staff member Lynn Maranelli joined by phone to explain the mechanics: the county will increase the health department—s expenditures for the service and record offsetting revenue to the sheriff's department so the 2025 budget remains budget-neutral while allowing the health department to place the expense on its state-aid voucher. "This way, the health department can reimburse them for the services provided as if they'd hired them," Maranelli said, describing the paperwork trail needed for audit review.

Committee discussion stressed that the resolution formalizes the audit trail so state aid can be drawn down. One legislator suggested referring the item to Ways and Means if members remained unsure; the committee voted to approve HH1. The transcript does not record a roll-call tally for the motion.

What the resolution does and does not do: it does not increase the county—s net spending for 2025, according to staff; it reallocates how an already-incurred overtime expense is recorded so the health department can seek Article 6 reimbursement. Staff said they will follow up with the finance office for additional clarification of the journal entries and will bring more detail to Ways and Means if needed.

Actions recorded: the committee placed HH1 on the table for discussion, heard presentation and finance clarification, and then voted to approve the resolution.

— Kathleen, Public Health Director (speaking to purpose of HH1); — Lynn Maranelli, County staff (explaining budget/accounting mechanics).

Votes at a glance: HH1 — outcome: approved (vote tally not specified in transcript).