Jefferson County committees approve slate of budget and administrative resolutions, authorize emergency demolition

Jefferson County committees approved a series of budget and administrative resolutions in their December meetings, including tax levies, budget amendments, contract authorizations and an emergency demolition authorization for an unsafe structure in Alexandria Bay.

Health & Human Services committee actions included appointment to the Jefferson County Long Term Care Advisory Council (motion moved by Legislator Barrow, seconded by Legislator Bolio); acceptance of supplemental unmet needs funding through the Office for the Aging (mover: Legislator Clarko; seconder: Legislator Grant); an amendment to the 2025 county budget for the community services preschool program and Medicaid billing services (mover: Legislator Bolio; seconder: Legislator Freeman); authorization of an agreement related to opioid settlement regional abatement and an amendment to the 2026 budget (mover: Legislator Grama; seconder: Legislator Bolio); and a 2025 vaccine budget amendment (mover: Legislator Freeman; seconder: Legislator Barra). All of these were recorded as carried by voice vote.

The Finance & Rules committee carried multiple fiscal actions including levying 2026 town taxes and consolidated health district taxes, actions to return delinquent 2025 school and village taxes, direction to complete tax rolls and execute warrants, and authorizing accounts payable year‑end adjustments to the 2025 county budget. The committee also approved procurement and contract items such as a web support and maintenance agreement for Total Collection Systems and a countywide cost allocation plan contract.

A late resolution — a declaration of emergency and authorization to demolish and remove an unsafe structure at 13 Market Street, Alexandria Bay — was added to prepare for the full board meeting next week. The county administrator said part of the roof has collapsed and the parcel is separate but structurally connected to adjacent businesses; the committee voted to carry the resolution for placement on the board agenda (motion moved by Legislator Ferris, seconded by Legislator Potter).

Several general services items were taken as a block (including highway equipment capital plan amendments, a New York State infrastructure grant agreement and recognition of a criminal justice services grant) and were approved with a single voice vote. Health & Human Services resolutions were likewise moved as a block where appropriate to streamline approval; one item (lead rental registry equipment) was noted as pulled.

Ending: All passed items will be prepared for the full board meeting and the demolition resolution will be finalized for the board agenda next week.