Cayuga County Ways & Means approves multiple routine resolutions, tables economic development RFP for review

The Cayuga County Legislature’s Ways & Means committee met Jan. 22 and approved a slate of routine resolutions including a requested $6,500 transfer to address an unanticipated debt-service charge, authorization for year-end accrual adjustments in the 2025 operating budget, and multiple contract renewals and program agreements across departments.

The committee heard from the treasurer’s office about WM 7, a staff request to transfer $6,500 from the county contingency to the treasurer’s property-tax line to cover debt service billed by the town of Sennett for a water upgrade to property that houses the sheriff’s department. “It’s a bill we have to pay,” an unidentified legislator said during discussion as members explored whether the treasurer could reallocate existing line items instead of using contingency. Treasurer Lynn told the committee her office had not identified internal budget lines to cover the charge and recommended contingency as the practical source; the committee approved advancing the request for consideration by the full legislature (the use of contingency at the legislative meeting will require a two-thirds vote).

Finance director Grace presented WM 4, a resolution authorizing year-end accrual adjustments so expenditures that belong in 2025 are charged to that year and requiring a post-adjustment report that lists any departmental transfers. Grace said the change is intended to keep departmental spending within the already-amended 2025 appropriations and to improve transparency about lines that needed transfers. The committee approved the item by voice vote.

Other actions approved…