Cayuga County committee amends tentative 2026 budget to restore positions, add building security and SRO funding

The Cayuga County Ways & Means committee on Nov. 15 approved a bundle of amendments to the county—s tentative 2026 budget that county officials said will reduce the plan—s draw on fund balance while restoring several staff positions and security upgrades.

Committee members voted to increase projected highway revenue by $200,000 after the county approved a supplemental agreement with the New York State Department of Transportation to plow additional miles. The committee adopted an amendment to use that new revenue to restore a full-time MEO (mechanic/equipment operator) position. The chair outlined the payroll adjustments needed to add the position: a roughly $52,274 increase to the full-time salary line, $3,886 for Social Security, $10,380 for health insurance, $355 for dental and a $564 workers— compensation adjustment. The amendment passed on a voice vote.

Health and Human Services officials also secured funding for a third security guard in the Department of Social Services (DSS). DSS proposed increasing the referral-services expense by $67,000 and showed the expense would be partially offset by reimbursements: about 50% of the security-guard cost is expected to be reimbursed, so the department increased its ESS administration revenue line by $33,500 and added $33,500 to a salary-savings offset. County staff said those changes will not draw on county fund balance or raise the tax levy. The committee voted to adopt the amendment after a debate over whether contracted guards or sworn law enforcement were more appropriate for courthouse and DSS coverage.

Separately, members approved adding Moravia—s school resource officer (SRO) funding into the sheriff—s revenue account. A motion increased estimated SRO revenue by $70,000, with the school district covering the SRO expense; the committee noted the proposal increases revenue more than the related part-time salary adjustments, producing a modest net revenue gain that could either reduce the levy or increase fund balance depending on final disposition.

The committee also accepted several grant-funded adjustments submitted since the tentative budget was prepared. The district attorney reported roughly $92,293 in newly secured grant revenues and proposed offsetting expense adjustments that would restore a full-time prosecutor while moving a grant coordinator to part-time; a DSS proposal similarly reallocated internal salary-savings to cover security positions. Committee members cautioned about drawing down specialized reserve funds (for example, DWI-related reserves) and about projecting revenue increases that might not be sustained year to year.

Taken together, the amendments were presented as reducing the tentative budget—s fund-balance draw from approximately $5.6 million to roughly $600,000. Committee members agreed to meet Monday at 4 p.m. to finalize any remaining adjustments before the full Legislature—s meeting the following day.

Members stressed that many of the amendments relied on specific revenue lines or grant awards that were not part of the original tentative budget and that future budgets may need additional adjustments if those revenue streams do not materialize.

"If we're increasing revenue by accepting additional plow miles and the revenue is real, it helps us restore essential staffing without a levy impact," a committee member said during debate. The committee voted to adopt the amendments and scheduled a final Ways & Means session to prepare the package for the legislative meeting.