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Yates County Legislature adopts local law to override state tax levy limit; two legislators oppose
Summary
The Yates County Legislature adopted Local Law No. 1-2026 to override the tax levy limit established by General Municipal Law §3-c, enabling the Legislature to adopt a 2027 budget that could exceed the state cap; the measure passed by roll call with two 'No' votes (Terry Button and Jesse Jayne).
The Yates County Legislature voted to adopt Local Law No. 1-2026, titled "A Local Law to Override the Tax Levy Limit Established in General Municipal Law Section 3-C," following a public hearing and discussion. Chairwoman Leslie Church opened the hearing earlier in the meeting before the vote.
During public comment, Tom Bagley warned against hastily raising taxes and urged exploration of alternatives; legislators responded that the county was not planning to exceed the tax cap but was adopting the local law as a precaution to preserve flexibility. In the roll-call vote on adoption, George Lawson, Dick Harper, Rick Willson, Pat Killen, Sarah Purdy, Ed Bronson, Doug Paddock, Leigh MacKerchar, Nonie Flynn, and Leslie Church voted "Yes." Terry Button and Jesse Jayne voted "No." The local law takes effect upon filing with the New York Secretary of State.
The law cites subdivision 5 of General Municipal Law §3-c as its authority and explicitly authorizes the Legislature to adopt a 2027 budget with a real property tax levy above the statutory limit if needed. The resolution further directed distribution of the filed local law to county finance officials and the New York Department of State.
