Lewis County manager outlines 2026 modernization goals and a government "report card" pilot

County Manager Timothy Hunt presented the Finance & Rules Committee with proposed 2026 goals on Jan. 20, saying the county will pursue technology investments for workforce optimization, a comprehensive exempt policy review with grade revalidation, modernization of local government operations and public access, and efforts to secure capital and launch a county land bank.

Hunt said one 2025 objective—creating a commerce park through the Fast NY Program with water, sewer and power on about 40 acres—was not completed and remains a county priority. He described a government "report card" model adapted from private-sector practices to evaluate performance in six areas: governance and strategic planning; public communications and outreach; operations and service delivery; financial management and budgeting; staff management; and legislator engagement. The internal core group working on these items plans quarterly department head training, policy and procedure updates, improved policy tracking through NeoGov, and continued work on compensation and exempt-employee matters.

Legislator Jessica Moser, Chair, moved to forward the committee’s items as appropriate; the committee did not take formal action on the goals themselves during the session. Hunt said finalized internal goals will be shared with the Legislature once completed. The committee discussion noted that several modernization efforts are contingent on staff capacity and budget approvals and that some items—such as the commerce park concept—remain in development and would require external program approvals where applicable.