Tioga County meeting covering a historic depot repair needs, an administrative services agreement extension, sewer/water grant planning with a $45,500 preliminary engineering quote, land-bank property updates, and routine finance updates; several motions were proposed but no recorded final votes in the transcript.

Discussion Points

•Board expressed reluctance to borrow in the current environment; staff to provide follow-up recommendations.
•Board members questioned whether additional well or water supply work would be required.
•Board members questioned whether structural repairs would require different procurement or compliance steps than routine maintenance.
•Chair requested motion to move to executive session to discuss confidential financial history.
•County has $500,000 in infrastructure funds available to use as match for TWH grant.
•Inter-municipal agreements are used to process grant-funded payments through county books to municipalities.
•Land-bank property on North Avenue assessed at approximately $850,000 and expected to be listed for sale in Q4.
•No public details of the matter were provided in the recorded transcript.
•Recent environment increased CD yields by roughly 50 basis points (cited as ~4% on an example instrument).
•Staff presented only a term change (one year to two years) and stated all other contract terms remain unchanged.
•Volunteer-run Friday-night events have run for 22 years and the group replaced many fixtures, but volunteers cannot handle major structural repairs.
•Warsan Design Group quoted $45,500 for engineering/environmental work required to apply; staff suggested splitting cost with EV&P and fronting payment with reimbursement in 2026/2027.

Oct

TCIDA Regular Board Meeting

Meeting of the County Industrial Development Agency covering approval of minutes and financial reports, budget items and a CD renewal, grant and redevelopment updates for 4850 Lake, a Phase 1 wetland delineation/survey, HUD/USDA funding disposition, and project updates including a Lockheed Martin closing.

Discussion Points

•Agency has multiple funding sources and not enough loan applicants to spend the USDA award promptly.
•Board authorized wide delegation to execute agreements and sign future addenda.
•Board had previously approved work by email for wetland delineation; staff to reaffirm via motion at meeting.
•Candor business showing interest in equipment lease program for ~ $60,000; staff to follow up.
•Lockheed Martin pilot closing scheduled for mid-October; contractor negotiations ongoing.
•Profit-and-loss packet report did not match agency QuickBooks.
•Program rules expect spending within early months, creating a potential obligation to return funds if unused.
•Staff awaiting governor's office announcements for FAST NY; timeline given as 4–6 weeks from submission.
•Staff described grant totals and funding sources and clarified that current funding does not impose rent restrictions.
•Staff will investigate saved filters or QuickBooks update and regenerate the report.
•Survey cost of $4,400 for Aylberg discussed and considered reimbursable if project proceeds.

Decisions

•Board approved minutes and acknowledged balance sheet and transaction report; motion to renew CD moved and recorded.
•Chair moved to return the $299,000 award; transcript does not contain detailed vote record.
•No formal action recorded; update only.
•Reaffirmed email authorization and approved $4,400 survey.
•Resolution authorizing agreements and delegation to Chair recorded; board to receive further details at bidding.

Directions

•Staff to contract for the $4,400 survey and report back.
•Staff to follow up with the Candor business and continue contractor negotiations.
•Staff to initiate administrative steps to return the USDA award pending board confirmation.
•Staff to regenerate and circulate corrected profit-and-loss report.
•Staff to return with phase-specific bids and financing details when ready.

Sep

TCIDA Regular Board Meeting

The Tioga County Industrial Development Agency convened for its regular September meeting, conducted a roll call, and voted to enter an executive session to discuss a potential real property acquisition described as "at good assessed value." The transcript does not specify the meeting date or the names of the motion-maker and seconder.

Discussion Points

•Chair opened meeting and initiated roll call; attendance and excused absences were recorded.
•Chair requested a motion to enter executive session to discuss acquisition of real property described as 'at good assessed value.'

Decisions

•Enter executive session to discuss real property acquisition (motion passed by voice vote).
•Proceed to consider motion for executive session.

Directions

•Motion to enter executive session approved by voice vote; no further public direction recorded.

Sep

TCIDA Regular Board Meeting

Tioga County board held a regular meeting that approved minutes and financial statements, advanced a county infrastructure grant application to extend sewer to Strong Road, authorized a community revitalization loan program, revised procurement thresholds, extended a solar sales-tax exemption, and discussed property predevelopment and equipment-lease interest.

Discussion Points

•County applied for $500,000 infrastructure grant to extend sewer to a Strong Road site.
•Finance committee will meet on the 14th to review the current budget.
•Legislature added funds and a municipal component to the loan program.
•Most thresholds were increased; the notable change raised one lower threshold to $5,000.
•MRB recommended minor wording changes and updated dollar threshold ranges.
•Resolution presented to extend sales-and-use tax exemption for Hudson Valley Solar NYLLC.
•Staff noted closing is scheduled for mid-October; no further issues raised.
•Staff reported no substantially notable transactions in the June transaction report.
•The funds are intended as seed money to pursue EFC or congressional direct funding; engineering help from Larson Design Group will be needed.
•Uncertainty remains whether nearby property owners must connect to the new sewer line.
•Updated guidelines allow flexibility to adjust rates and terms.

Decisions

•Extension approved
•Minutes approved; financial statements acknowledged
•Policy thresholds accepted; no separate resolution required
•Resolution approved to commence program administration

Directions

•Implement program under new guidelines; staff to prepare application processes.
•Proceed to closing and finalize exemption paperwork.
•Staff to check with the town whether connection is mandatory and report back.
•Staff to update procurement policy documents and implement new thresholds.

Aug

Tioga County IDA August Board Meeting 2026

Towny IDA held a regular August meeting to approve minutes and routine financial items, discuss upcoming budget planning and several development grants and procurement-policy recommendations, review project updates (environmental report, asbestos testing, grant applications) and move into an executive session on real property. Board members raised procedural questions about procurement thresholds, a HUD small cities loan proposal (just under $800,000) and a sales-tax exemption pilot program.

Discussion Points

•Add clause for IDA discretion to review interest rates
•Add language to allow projects outside downtown
•Environmental report delayed from O'Brien
•ESD grant application for $1.2M submitted
•L2 approved by land bank for phase one brick replacement
•Members raised no substantive questions about the minutes or financials
•Need for school district rate data before finalizing projections
•Raise discretionary threshold from $500 to $5,000
•Sales-tax exemptions extended to December
•Set sealed-bid threshold higher (draft referenced $50,000)
•Typical exemption term is one year with extensions for larger projects

Decisions

•Acknowledge financials
•Approve July minutes

Directions

•Convene a special budget meeting next week
•Forward proposal to the legislature next Tuesday
•Monitor environmental report and contractor work
•Review in upcoming September and November meetings
•Schedule budget meeting next week
•Track paperwork and reporting associated with exemptions

Jul

TCIDA Regular Board Meeting

Tioga County Industrial Development Agency held its regular monthly meeting on July 9, 2026, where board members reviewed financials, approved a $450,000 trail study grant acceptance resolution, approved an Arby's sales-tax exemption extension through Dec. 31, 2026, and discussed multiple loan and grant programs including a possible municipal bridging component and a state "New York Kicks" youth-soccer grant (tabled).

Discussion Points

•Appraisals show disparity: individual parcel values lower; combined report increases per-acre value and aggregate to ~$4M.
•Arby\u0002s sales tax exemption expired in April; the company is proceeding with a DRI project and requests extension to spend DRI funds by year-end.
•Award letter received and a resolution prepared on letterhead to accept funds up to $450,000 for a trail study.
•Balance sheets generally look good; small bookkeeping changes needed.
•Board agreed to maintain current investments while assessing liquidity.
•Board discussed owner asking price approximated at $60,000/acre.
•Board moved to authorize the director to execute the resolution.
•Board requested a formal policy/administration plan before voting.
•Concerns about IDA\u0002s capacity to administer countywide subgrants and monitor many small clubs.
•Finance committee recommended CD renewal at 3.55% for six months.
•Motion made and seconded to release liens for no consideration.
•New York Kicks grant minimum $75,000 with 50% match requirement.
•Next step: receive and execute the formal grant agreement, then proceed with study tasks.
•Staff proposed adding a municipal-bridge component to the revolving loan fund to administer short-term bridging finance.
•State program (Fast New York) covers a percentage of acquisition cost; higher appraisals can increase covered acquisition amount.
•Suggestions to identify a nonprofit or other county partner to be lead applicant.
•The extension covers exemptions not to exceed $24,000 and runs through Dec. 31, 2026.
•Two vans had been used as collateral on IRP loan; borrower intends to scrap them and staff said they had no material value.
•Village of Oswego applied to New York Place and needs upfront funding until state reimbursement arrives.

Decisions

•Application tabled pending additional planning.
•Board acknowledged and approved the CD renewal.
•Lien releases approved.
•No acquisition decision; continue due diligence and planning.
•No formal action taken; item tabled pending an administration plan.
•Resolution approved authorizing the director to accept funds up to $450,000.
•Resolution approved to extend sales and use tax exemption through Dec. 31, 2026.

Directions

•Director to sign and execute resolution and follow up on grant agreement execution.
•Identify potential municipal applicants and match sources for projects requiring 50% or other matching funds.
•Staff to develop an administration plan and return with details about funding source, risk, and oversight.
•Staff to finalize paperwork and monitor project spending to ensure exemption conditions are met.
•Staff to monitor investments and report back if liquidity concerns arise.
•Staff to prepare lien-release forms and update loan files.
•Staff to refine appraisal numbers, identify acquisition strategy, and consider negotiation with landowners.
•Staff to research eligibility and administration details and return with an admin plan and potential partners before applying.

Jun

TCIDA Regular Board Meeting

Civic board meeting of Tioga County development/IDA covering routine minutes and financial approvals, a $40,000 loan recommendation for Shepherd Hills, a resolution authorizing an easement with New York State Electric & Gas, program updates (microenterprise, land bank grant, EPA brownfield application) and pilot/contract updates; several items were approved by voice vote.

Discussion Points

•Committee described the loan as guarantor-supported and a community asset.
•EPA brownfield assessment grant ($500,000) applied for; award notice expected soon.
•Land bank awarded $750,000 to rehabilitate vacant units with up to $75,000 per unit.
•Lockheed pilot documents sent to Lockheed legal; timeline uncertain.
•Members noted collateral and standard credit metrics in support of approval.
•Microenterprise program renewal expected; one project near close-out.
•Presenter noted resolution was not in packet but had been sent earlier in the day.
•Resolution intended to improve electrical service and reliability on the referenced property.

Decisions

•Board approved the committee recommendation to provide the $40,000 loan.
•Board moved to accept SOP to advance policy materials for next steps.
•Resolution authorizing easement approved by voice vote.

Directions

•Staff to finalize easement documents and coordinate with NYSEG and property owners.
•Staff to finalize grant guidelines and prepare calls for projects; prepare loan/grant closing materials.
•Staff to follow up with Lockheed legal and report progress at future meeting.
•Staff to prepare loan documents and proceed with closing once conditions are met.

May

Loan Committee Meeting 05/11/2026

Tioga County meeting considered a $40,000 low-interest loan application from Shepherd Hills for façade/entryway repairs and approved a motion to forward the application with an abstention by Kevin. The meeting also approved prior minutes and handled routine procedural items and technical/attachment issues.

Discussion Points

•A question was raised about debt‑service coverage ratios; spreadsheet summary referenced and DSR reported around 67%.
•Host summarized the prior meeting and a previously approved facade loan.
•No substantive debate on the minutes was recorded.
•Participants reviewed ownership structure and noted personal guarantees from Doug and Jim Friend.
•Staff described façade/entryway work and estimated total cost of about $56–57k (Casey).

Decisions

•Minutes approved and recorded to proceed to new business.
•Motion to forward loan recommendation approved with one abstention (Kevin).

Directions

•Forward the application to the county board with recommendation and supporting documents.
•Staff to prepare mortgage and board packet materials.

May

TCIDA Regular Board Meeting 05/06/2026

Tioga County IDA held its regular May 2026 meeting to review financials, discuss an unexpected $7,000 audit overage and qualified audit opinion tied to leases, consider right-of-way/access requests and insurance for a utility project, review DRI redevelopment work (including 4850 Lake Street), and renew directors-and-officers liability insurance.

Discussion Points

•4850 Lake Street identified as DRI project to be carried forward.
•Auditors charged an unexpected $7,000 for additional work and restatement of revenue timing.
•Board requested certificate of insurance and additional insured endorsement before granting access.
•Board requested time to review before approval.
•Board reviewed renewal terms and coverage limits.
•Contractor asked for temporary access across IDA property.
•Draft SOP introduced to streamline IDA/land bank invoice processing and separate duties.
•Leases are old, evergreen, and many were scanned for the audit.
•March financials reviewed; no major notes identified.
•Motion made to renew and passed by voice vote.
•Options discussed: negotiate fee, perform internal lease cleanup, or change auditors.
•Phase 1 focuses on roof work with Restore NY funds; later phases depend on further funding.
•Some leases may be material in aggregate and contributed to the audit qualification.
•The auditors issued a qualified opinion tied to lease reporting and materiality concerns.

Decisions

•D&O insurance renewal approved.
•Motion to acknowledge financials approved by voice vote.
•No immediate authorization until insurance is provided.
•No immediate motion to change auditors; board will revisit after lease review.
•No immediate renegotiation; staff to return with recommendations.
•No motion to approve at this meeting; deferred.
•Proceed with phased approach and return next month with detailed plan.

Directions

•Staff to circulate SOP for member review and bring back at a later meeting.
•Staff to clean lease spreadsheet and identify material leases; consider appraisal/legal review where necessary.
•Staff to compile and clean lease spreadsheet and identify material leases for potential remediation.
•Staff to finalize renewal and circulate documents.
•Staff to request insurance certificate and determine whether a temporary access agreement is required.
•Staff to return with updated numbers, development agreement review, financing and reimbursement schedule.

Apr

Audit Committee 03/31/2026

The audit committee reviewed the draft 2025 audit for the Tarrant County Industrial Development Agency (IDA), heard an auditor’s qualified opinion related to lease accounting under GASB 87, reviewed material audit adjustments and a restatement for grant activity, and voted to approve the draft to issue pending a signed management representation letter.

Discussion Points

•Auditor described the qualified opinion and explained GASB 87 implementation requirements.
•Auditor described timing errors and pass-through grant accounting that produced misstated prior-year balances.
•Auditor explained the components of the bad debt expense and the prior allowance.
•Auditor praised management response and highlighted follow-up tasks.
•Auditor presented required communications, material adjustments, and a management response.
•Committee agreed to handle numeric tweaks offline and to consider a lease review engagement.
•Committee discussed that recording practice looked cash-based and recommended reconciliations.
•Committee members asked about the nature and duration of leases and renewals.
•Committee members asked clarifying questions about leases, restatements, and bad debt details.
•Members asked about maintaining allowances for the loan portfolio.

Decisions

•Approve 2025 draft audit as issue

Directions

•Audit committee to review lease spreadsheet and consider whether to engage consulting services or perform internal review of agreements.
•Explore lease review options (consulting engagement or internal review).
•Follow up offline on minor numeric items and bring any questions to the auditor by email or call.
•Obtain signed management representation letter prior to final issuance (deadline March 31).
•Staff to collect the signed management representation letter and coordinate with auditors.
•Staff to evaluate loan portfolio and determine if allowance adjustments are necessary at year end.
•Staff to work with auditors and Beatriz from Bowers to reconcile grant activity and correct recording practices.

Apr

TCIDA Regular Board Meeting 04/01/2026

April 2026 meeting of the Tioga County Industrial Development Agency covered the year‑end audit (qualified opinion due to lease accounting), changes to the façade program fees, policy reviews with MRB, a possible Strong Road sewer extension, land‑appraisal and acquisition discussion, several motions (audit acceptance, easement execution, signage funds) and a move into executive session for personnel.

Discussion Points

•Add nonrefundable application fee and 1% commitment fee; require two years of applicant financials for trend analysis.
•Clarify identity of applicant when ownership structures are complex.
•County infrastructure grant could provide $500,000 but requires 50% match.
•Higher appraisal could increase FAST New York grant eligibility but may not bridge owner price expectation.
•Many leases are month‑to‑month and billboards drive some exposure.
•MRB billable rate described as about $150/hour.
•MRB to review procurement, pilot application and UTEP; potential inclusion of solar policy language into consolidated policy.
•Prior appraisal around $20,000/acre with part of parcel usable; property owner expectations near $60,000/acre.
•Qualified opinion due to GASB 87 lease accounting and restatement to opening net position ($59,000).
•Septic systems not viable; sewer extension necessary. Full project cost ~ $2,500,000.
•Whether to hire consultants to evaluate lease population vs. do internal spreadsheet review.

Decisions

•Board accepted the 12/31/2025 audit and auditor's independent report.
•Board approved moving forward with MRB review and minor UTEP edits.
•Board approved redline packet changes.
•Proceed to evaluate appraisal options and funding offsets.
•Proceed with county grant application and further funding outreach.

Directions

•County to file grant application with IDA as pass‑through if awarded; staff to pursue matching funds.
•Management to consider lease inventory and potential remedial work; report back to audit committee.
•Manager to update MRB scope and proceed with consolidated review.
•Staff to confirm final fee amounts and update packet materials.
•Staff to investigate ordering updated appraisals and whether USDA or other grant funds can offset appraisal cost.

Mar

Loan Committee Meeting 03/18/2026

The Tioga County IDA loan committee approved a $40,000 facade loan for 43 45 Lake LLC (applicant Jim Mead) and discussed delays in credit-report access that slowed loan processing; committee also approved its June minutes and noted another incomplete application that may prompt a future meeting.

Discussion Points

•Application for facade loan from Jim Mead for 43 45 Lake LLC; applicant reported $90,000 total project cost and requested $40,000 (program maximum).
•Approval of June minutes.
•Credentials were restored in February and staff committed to avoid recurrence.
•Credit‑report vendor account purge prevented timely credit pulls.
•Notification of a second application with inconsistent ownership documentation.
•Processing delay attributable to loss of credit‑report access; credentials restored in February.
•Underwriting review found strong global cash flow and high credit score; income from Awego Antique Center considered in assessment.

Decisions

•Facade loan for 43 45 Lake LLC approved by voice vote.
•Minutes approved

Directions

•Staff (Carrie) to prepare commitment letter and forward application to Joe for next steps.
•Staff to contact applicant for missing/inconsistent documentation; may convene another meeting if issues persist.
•Staff to maintain credit‑reporting credentials and follow stricter pre‑application checks.

Mar

TCIDA Regular Board Meeting 03/04/2026

Terry County IDA held its regular monthly meeting to review minutes and financials, approve an ARC grant application for a railroad-trail gap, discuss several property/lease issues (including a small parcel survey and potential sale), consider repurposing a revolving loan fund for community revitalization, and review loan committee items and railroad updates.

Discussion Points

•Board discussed concurrence mechanics and motion was made to concur.
•Existing revolving loan funds in county account could be adapted to community revitalization uses; HUD/USDA constraints may apply.
•Loan committee recommended a $40,000 soft loan for an LLC at 4345 Lake Street.
•Members observed numerous gondolas and steel-filled cars moving recently; unclear whether local shredder resumed operations.
•Need to meet March 18 application deadline; ARC would fund $150,000 to address engineering gap.
•Owners not receptive to previous appraisal; second appraisal likely required.
•Parcel highlighted on map; poor truck access and narrow turns limit industrial use.
•Parcel sits in/near floodplain; value is limited unless neighboring parcels also become available.
•Staff said approx. $900 railroad income was recognized in January.
•Survey quote of $3,500 identified for parcel where William Wunder has structures; lease language is messy and tenant may have been month-to-month.

Decisions

•Board authorized submission of ARC application
•Board moved to concur; final closing pending loan committee coordination.

Directions

•Monitor railroad receipts and operations; report back as needed.
•Staff directed to prepare and submit application and report back on match and conditions.
•Staff to ask tenant/neighbors about interest and whether costs can be split; revisit next month.
•Staff to contact neighbors to gauge willingness to sell and to obtain second appraisal if warranted.
•Staff to coordinate loan closing and any required signatures with loan committee.
•Staff to prepare options with underwriting changes and administration cost estimates.

Feb

TCIDA Regular Board Meeting 02/04/2026

The Tioga County IDA met in February 2026 to hear presentations on UTEP/sales-tax exemptions and engineering studies, review financials and minutes, discuss a $150,000 rail-with-trail preliminary engineering grant with public comment on both sides, and consider using leftover USDA predevelopment funds for utility design on potential sites.

Discussion Points

•Approval of minutes and recognition of financial statements by voice vote
•Cleanup and past homeless encampment issues on the parcel
•Existing lease is old and property description needs updating
•Grant award details and public comment both for and against the trail
•Pilot paperwork prepared and sent to applicant
•Planned pilot start date March 1, pending applicant response
•Poor infiltration rates at Smith Creek could increase stormwater costs
•Possibility of repurposing leftover USDA Track B funds for Track C-eligible utility/site design work
•Process requires notifying taxing jurisdictions and a ~3 month timeline to adopt UTEP changes
•Proposed UTEP edits to allow standalone sales-tax exemption
•Recommendation to perform additional infiltration testing and wetlands delineation early
•Requirement to confirm USDA acceptance and obtain quotes
•Steering committee formation to guide study

Decisions

•Financial statements recognized
•Minutes approved

Directions

•Form a steering committee and accept study funding; staff to collect and post letters
•Obtain current survey(s) and consider parceling options before finalizing lease language
•Staff/consultant to perform or procure additional infiltration testing and wetlands delineation as needed
•Staff to follow up with applicant and report back at next meeting
•Staff to seek quotes and confirm eligibility with USDA program managers and return with recommendation
•Staff to set up a governance meeting to review draft UTEP language

Jan

TCIDA Annual Board Meeting 01/07/2026

Tioga County IDA annual meeting where board approved meeting and media designations, adopted officer and committee appointments, reviewed governance and finance policies, confirmed audit committee changes, and approved updated bank signers and a resolution to formalize them.

Discussion Points

•Chair described Bonadio as the financial expert partner and reaffirmed using CPAs/advisers for audit oversight.
•Chair outlined officer nominations and committee assignments; recommended additions to governance and long-range committees.
•Chair proposed continuing press bulletins as the official media; no comments opposed the motion.
•Chair proposed continuing the first-Wednesday schedule and location; no substantive objections were raised.
•Finance committee recommended no change to depository banks and proposed signer updates due to Marty's departure.
•Governance committee recommended leaving core policies unchanged pending consultant review.
•MRB Group is contracted to review procurement and may prompt future changes.

Decisions

•Annual policy reviews approved
•Audit committee changes approved
•Media designation approved
•Monthly meeting designation approved
•Officer slate and committee appointments approved
•Resolution to approve new signers passed

Directions

•Staff to prepare account paperwork for updated signers.

Jan

Finance Committee Meeting 01/07/2026

County IDA Finance Committee met to call the session to order, review and approve prior minutes and a set of consent items, and review investment accounts including CD holdings, a Chemung Canal renewal, and an ICS account reporting request.

Discussion Points

•Charter presented with no proposed changes; investment policy materials and evaluation forms highlighted for review.
•Chemung Canal acquisition renewal noted; CD rate differences across banks highlighted; spreadsheet tracking limitations discussed.
•ICS account identified as primary holding; Chair requested a one-year pull of account activity.
•Low attendance noted during approvals; members proceeded without extended debate.

Decisions

•Approve prior minutes and items a through e as presented.
•No changes to finance committee charter were proposed.

Directions

•Staff to consider alternate presentation of account reporting.
•Staff to prepare a one-year report for ICS account.

Jan

TCIDA Regular Board Meeting 01/07/2026

Tioga County IDA held its regular January 2026 monthly meeting. Board members completed roll call, approved last month's minutes, heard a financial update including railroad revenues and a longstanding uncollectible account, discussed a lodging-signage proposal, heard a media contract proposal and several project updates (rail-trail grant, USDA/geotech), and approved a year-long media/communications contract by voice vote.

Discussion Points

•$450,000 preliminary engineering award for Newark Valley\u0013Berkshire rail-trail.
•Board discussed costs and value of ongoing content production.
•Businesses would pay $100 annual fee after installation.
•Cost estimate to upgrade panel to six panels: ~ $15,082 (state charge).
•Estimated total project cost ~$600,000; funding gap ~$150,000.
•IDA\u0019s 95/5 revenue split and proposal to use rehab-administered funds for upfront payment.
•Legacy uncollectible receivable from bankruptcy; need for final cleanup and journal entries.
•Lessees reported trespassing and hunting incidents on a leased county parcel at Long Prairie.
•Presenter reviewed media deliverables and prior county work.
•Railroad revenue deposit amounts trending smaller; staff to verify months covered by recent checks.
•Signs have reportedly been removed previously, raising enforcement concerns.
•Staff relayed law-enforcement guidance that posted property is easier to police and suggested lessees want to post signs.
•USDA meeting scheduled to explore additional funding.

Decisions

•Motion to approve 2026 media contract passed by voice vote.

Directions

•Finance staff to reconcile legacy journal entries and confirm months for recent railroad deposits.
•IDA administration to finalize contract paperwork and execute agreement.
•Staff to collect effectiveness data and return with a recommended plan and draft resolution if funding is proposed.
•Staff to meet USDA and report back on potential funding options.
•Staff to permit posting pending a plan for sign placement, lease compliance check, and coordination with local law enforcement.
•Staff to report back if additional measures or a formal resolution are needed.

Nov

11-6-24 Tioga County IDA Board Meeting

Tioga County IDA held its regular November 2024 meeting to discuss the budgetary impact of large PILOT agreements (notably the Central New York oil and gas PILOT), review economic development grants and loan applications, consider site-engineering proposals for a Lounsberry project, and receive updates on solar and railroad crossing safety issues.

Discussion Points

•A school-district representative explained how the Central New York oil-and-gas PILOT re-enters the levy calculation and could cause a large reported levy increase under the tax-cap formula.
•Board discussed loan position and paperwork details and cautioned on document markups and personal data.
•Board emphasized the need to move quickly to protect expiring grant funds.
•Board members discussed phased step-downs, use of reserves, and borrowing as mitigation strategies.
•Staff described the application as focused on window invoices and reminded the board of the program cap ($20,000).
•Staff will seek fiscal-advisor modeling and draft legal language used in a prior Best Buy step-down arrangement.
•Three engineering proposals were reviewed; one firm uses drone surveying and another offered a slightly different technical approach. Bids were within roughly $100,000 of each other.

Decisions

•Board accepted the low bid and authorized staff to proceed.
•Board approved the $20,000 façade award for Gearhart Real Estate LLC.
•No formal decision or vote recorded; matter tabled for further analysis.

Directions

•Staff to finalize contract with selected engineer and to coordinate grant deliverables with USDA timelines.
•Staff to finalize paperwork and prepare award documents once invoices are verified.
•Staff to locate and adapt prior Best Buy PILOT legal language for potential phased agreements.
•Staff to obtain fiscal-advisor modeling and produce spreadsheets showing multi-year impacts.

Oct

6-5-24 IDA Board Meeting

Tioga County Industrial Development Agency held its June regular meeting (roll call, public comment on railroad encroachments, program and grant updates, lengthy discussion about hiring an administrator vs. director, changes to program fees, and approval of a USDA IRP loan).

Discussion Points

•Bill Stone described long-standing storage of unregistered vehicles and equipment on county/railroad right-of-way in Richford and asked for help getting the owner to remove the items.
•Board debated administrator vs director, citing workload, budget and past hiring difficulties.
•Board discussed available funds including a $200,000 fund for property owners and other state grant opportunities.
•Board discussed legal limits of enforcement on county-owned right-of-way vs. private property and adverse possession concerns.
•Board discussed minimums versus flat implementation fee and effect on small applicants.
•Board heard that Catholic Charities withdrew from the Neighborhood Depot due to timing; remaining occupants were United Way, Racker Center and a rural ministry.
•Board reviewed USDA feedback and the reduced award amount and terms.
•Britney reported two Restore New York applications and Land Bank housing projects in several villages.
•Consensus to start with a written notice from the IDA and to have staff follow up with the reporter and exchange photos.
•Current application fee is $2.50; staff proposed a new implementation fee tied to approvals to avoid subsidizing small modifications.
•Governance committee to refine posting details including full/part-time status and salary range.
•Members discussed loan terms and the need to keep the loan portfolio active to sustain repayment capacity.
•Members noted current consultant support (Leanne/Meaghan) can bridge to the end of the year if an administrator is hired.
•Motion was made and approved unanimously; staff to formalize documentation.

Decisions

•Board approved accepting the $181,301 IRP award and placing it into the IRP revolving loan program.
•Board approved adding an implementation fee to sales tax exemption approvals (transcript references $750 proposal).
•Board approved moving forward to post for an administrator and tasked governance with the hiring process.

Directions

•Governance committee to finalize job description, propose salary benchmark and post position.
•Governance to conduct initial interviews and return recommendation to full board.
•Return a finalized fee schedule to the board for archival and reference.
•Staff to continue finalizing leases for the Neighborhood Depot and identify alternative uses for the space vacated by Catholic Charities.
•Staff to continue pursuing Restore New York and other grant applications and report progress at upcoming meetings.
•Staff to coordinate with Bill Stone, review provided photos, and prepare a written notice or letter from the board as an initial enforcement step.
•Staff to document the new fee, prepare a formal resolution and update website materials.
•Staff to notify USDA and to complete required paperwork and to bring an implementation plan back to the board.

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