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New Steuben County Legislature Chair stresses collaboration, fiscal restraint and protecting vulnerable residents
Summary
In her first remarks after being sworn in, Chair Kelly H. Fitzpatrick emphasized collaboration with departments and partner agencies, resisting unfunded state mandates, and using the county's strong financial position to protect vulnerable residents while limiting taxpayer burdens.
After taking the oath, Chair Kelly H. Fitzpatrick declined a formal, prepared speech and instead offered a brief statement outlining priorities for the Legislature’s next two years. She said the Legislature must "collaborate and cooperate with all of our employees, our department heads, our partner agencies, and other local officials" and warned against absorbing "unfunded mandates" from higher levels of government.
Fitzpatrick framed the county's approach as a balance between protecting vulnerable constituents and safeguarding taxpayers. "We have 93,000 people that live in our county," she said, adding that the Legislature is in a "very strong financial position" following a recent State audit. She said leaders will publish a list of priorities for department heads and partner agencies and work to stretch existing program dollars to improve services.
