Orleans County

Retired county judge will serve as administrator of assigned counsel

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 December 2020 at 7:07 pm

File photo from July 2017 by Tom Rivers: James Punch, retired Orleans County Court judge, will serve as administrator of the assigned counsel plan in Orleans County.

ALBION – A retired Orleans County Court judge is returning in a new role with the local court system.

James Punch has been appointed by the County Legislature to serve as administrator of the assigned counsel plan. He will be paid $35,000 for the role in 2021.

Punch retired as county court judge on July 29, 2017 after nearly 27 years as judge. He was the district attorney before that for five years. He was first elected at age 29.

Punch will take over as assigned counsel administrator, after Jeff Martin of Holley gave notice he was resigning from the post.

The Orleans County Bar Association voted and approved the recommendation that Punch serve as administrator. That was also choice of the Assigned Counsel Advisory Committee.

The county spends more than $500,000 a year on assigned counsel for residents who can’t afford an attorney for criminal or family court. There are about 50 attorneys on the county’s assigned counsel roster.

The administrator of the assigned counsel plan needs to make sure the attorneys don’t have any conflicts or past dealings with others involved in a case. The administrator will work with judges to find attorneys for cases.

The administrator also needs to ensure the residents meet income qualifications for indigent defense, and the administrator will assess the quality of legal services in the cases.

The administrator also should strive to make sure the cases are also rotated among the attorneys and that they follow consistent billing and reimbursement practices.

Punch was appointed to the position last week by the Legislature. The legislators also appointed former Medina Police Chief Jose Avila, who is retired from that job, to provide investigative service for the Public Defender in 2021. Avila will be paid $55 an hour, with the cost not to exceed $20,000 for the year.

Pandemic knocked employment to lowest levels in at least 30 years in Orleans

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 December 2020 at 12:12 pm

Orleans County has had fewer people working during the pandemic than in the last 30 years. It is likely even longer than that, but the state Department of Labor data only goes back to 1990.

The DOL this week released employment data for November 2020. The state report shows 15,800 people were working in the county in November. That is the fewest of any November since 1990.

The most workers the county has had in a November was in 1998 when there were 20,300 workers, according to the DOL. In November 1990, the first year of the statistics available online, Orleans had 18,300 workers. In November 2019, there were 16,700 employed.

The 15,800 working last month is actually a big improvement from April, when the state Department of Labor counted 14,300 workers in Orleans. That was the peak of the government shutdown on nonessential businesses.

The 14,300 was the only time in the past 30 years Orleans has dipped below 15,000 workers.

The highest level of employment in the 30 years: June and July in 1998 when the county had 20,800 people working.

To see the data on Orleans, click here and search under Orleans County.

Orleans has 1,000 fewer people working compared to a year ago

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 December 2020 at 10:15 am

Unemployment rate continues to go down from pandemic high

The latest data from state Department of Labor shows the number of people working in Orleans County is down by 1,000 people from a year ago, when there wasn’t a Covid-19 wreaking havoc on the economy.

The DOL reported there were 15,800 people working in Orleans County in November, down from 16,800 in November 2019. The county’s unemployment rate last month was 5.4 percent, compared to 4.4 percent the previous November.

Here are the unemployment rates and number of unemployed in the Orleans County during the pandemic:

  • March: 5.4 percent, 900 unemployed
  • April: 15.9 percent, 2,700 unemployed
  • May: 11.5 percent, 1,900 unemployed
  • June: 10.8 percent, 1,900 unemployed
  • July: 12.7 percent, 2,300 unemployed
  • August: 9.8 percent, 1,700 unemployed
  • September: 5.5 percent, 900 unemployed
  • October: 6.0 percent, 1,000 unemployed
  • November: 5.4 percent, 900 unemployed

Nationally the number of people working is down by 8.7 million, from 158.9 million in November 2019 to 150.2 million last month. In New York, the number of people employed shrunk by 790,000 in the 12 months, down from 9.15 million to 8.36 million.

The Rochester metro has 30,000 fewer workers, down from 500,100 to 470,000, while the Buffalo-Niagara Falls metro is down by 19,500 workers — from 517,300 to 497,700.

The employment data for other nearby counties (with November 2019 in parentheses) and the change in the number of people working:

  • Erie, 5.9 percent (4.2) – Decline from 423,200 working to 407,300
  • Genesee, 4.6 percent (3.8) – Workers down from 28,400 to 27,000
  • Livingston, 5.6 percent (3.9) – Decline from 29,500 to 27,700
  • Monroe, 6.0 percent (4.0) – Down from 346,900 working to 326,100
  • Niagara, 6.0 percent (4.7) – Decline from 94,100 employed to 90,500
  • Ontario, 4.6 percent (3.6) – Down from 53,300 working to 50,100
  • Orleans, 5.4 percent (4.4) – Down from 16,800 workers to 15,800
  • Wyoming, 4.7 percent (4.0) – Decline from 17,100 to 16,400

New York City is suffering the highest unemployment rates — 16.0 percent in Bronx, 12.1 percent in Kings (Brooklyn), 9.3 percent in New York County (Manhattan) Richmond (Staten Island), 9.8 percent and Queens, 11.6 percent.

Tompkins and Columbia counties have the lowest rates at 4.0 percent.

Walmart hosts second annual ‘Shop with a Cop’

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 December 2020 at 8:13 pm

Provided images

ALBION – The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office joined several local families at Walmart on Saturday for the second annual “Shop with a Cop” program. The Walmart Foundation awarded the Sheriff’s Office a $3,000 grant for the program.

Sheriff Chris Bourke said it was a “great day” for the children, their families and members of the Sheriff’s Office who were part of the program.

“A big thank you to Walmart for providing the very generous gift cards for the kids to shop with and Orleans County Child and Family Service for assisting with the organization of this event,” Bourke said. “Several kids along with a family member were able to go with our Sheriff’s Deputies, Correction Officers and Volunteer Clergy members to pick out gifts for their parents and siblings. The kids then picked out gifts for themselves. The kids picked out some toys and other items but some  bought food items so they would be able to have a nice dinner on Christmas Day.

“I would like to personally thank the Sheriff’s Office members who reached into their own pockets to pay the difference for the families that went over the card limit.”

2 local officers receive ‘Life Saver’ award for reviving man at Walmart

Photo courtesy of Orleans County Sheriff’s Office: Pictured from left include Orleans County Undersheriff Michael Mele, Sheriff Christopher Bourke, Sheriff’s Investigator Kevin Colonna, Trooper Scott Gregson, and State Police Sgt. Glenn Rigerman

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 December 2020 at 5:17 pm

ALBION – Two local law enforcement officers have been recognized with “Life Saver” awards from Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke after they revived a man in the Albion Walmart.

On Nov. 3, State Trooper Scott Gregson was handling an incident in the Security Office of the Walmart in Albion. Trooper Gregson was in the process of conducting interviews when a 77-year-old man slowly sat down, leaned over face first and grabbed his chest.

Trooper Gregson contacted the Sheriff’s Dispatch Center for an ambulance. Orleans County Sheriff’s Investigator Kevin Colonna arrived on scene.

The man had become unresponsive and was not breathing. Gregson and Colonna began chest compressions and connected an A.E.D. (automated external defibrillator) and a shock was given. Shortly thereafter the man began breathing and had a faint pulse.

Central Orleans Volunteer Ambulance (COVA) arrived and took over the medical assistance to the victim, and transported him to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester.

“The quick decisive actions of Trooper Gregson and Sheriff’s Investigator Kevin Colonna on November 3rd, 2020, without doubt, saved the life of another human being,” Sheriff Bourke said. “The seamless coordination and quick response by these law enforcement officers serves to exemplify the great working relationship that exists between the New York State Police and the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office.”

Bourke last month presented Gregson and Colonna with the Sheriff’s “Life Saver” award. The two were also recognized on Wednesday at the Orleans County Legislature meeting. Legislators acknowledged the life-saving actions of the two law enforcement officers and read into the record the details surrounding the Life Saver Award.

County jail staff commended by legislators for reining in Covid outbreak

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 December 2020 at 6:30 pm

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature officially commended the staff at the Orleans County Jail for its actions to rein in an outbreak of Covid-19 cases at the jail on Platt Street.

Last month 13 corrections officers tested positive and three inmates also has the virus. Other staff that had close contact with those who tested positive also had to isolate at home.

That left the jail, which has 45 staff members, with far fewer workers to run the site. But many of the employees worked extra shifts – 106 needed to filled due to workers being out due to testing positive for Covid and being in close contact with someone who had it.

Lynne Johnson, Legislature chairwoman, said the staff deserves to be “commended for outstanding service to the community.”

The outbreak hit the jail from Nov. 2 to Nov. 23. Inspectors from the New York State Commission of Correction visited the Orleans County last month and concluded the site has the needed protocols in place to protect against the spread of Covid-19.

Commission of Correction staff reviewed the jail’s protocols for screening of employees, incarcerated individuals and anyone entering the facility. They also said signage throughout the facility, disinfecting procedures and the utilization of face coverings are consistent with the guidance provided by the Commission, the New York State Department of Health, and the Center for Disease Control.

“The jail staff worked above and beyond,” Johnson said on Wednesday during the County Legislature meeting. “The outbreak created a major challenge to the operation of the facility.”

She said the employees who worked extra shifts despite a higher risk of being exposed to the virus.

She praised the correction officers, command staff, kitchen staff, nursing staff, Jail Superintendent Scott Wilson and Sheriff Chris Bourke for seeing the jail through the outbreak.

There were 61 Covid tests administered to staff and inmates with 13 COs and three inmates testing positive.

DA wants to study district courts, centralized code enforcement in Orleans County

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 December 2020 at 11:15 am

ALBION – District Attorney Joe Cardone is leading an effort to gather information and study whether it makes sense to have district courts in Orleans County, rather than 10 town courts.

Joe Cardone

Joe Cardone, the district attorney the past 28 years, is gathering information from the 10 towns on how much they spend annually for their justice courts, with salary and benefits for judges and court clerks, as well as other costs – security utilities and equipment.

Cardone said the data could show the court system locally could be more efficient and offer better service with district courts, which might be set up with one court for western Orleans, one in the central towns and one on the eastern end.

“This is something we’re looking at as a possibility,” Cardone said during a recent meeting with local elected officials at the village, town and county level. “I think we should at least keep our eyes open to the different possibilities.”

Orleans municipalities have already taken steps to make the courts more efficient. Albion and Medina about a decade ago abolished their village courts, with the function handled by the towns. Shelby and Ridgeway use the same building – the Shelby Town Hall – for court. Many of the towns have also eliminated one town justice position and have one person in the role, with agreements with neighboring towns to fill in when needed.

If the local municipalities decided to have a multi-jurisdictional district court, they would need state approval, Cardone said.

The study should show how many judges and support staff would be needed for a district court, and whether the community would be best be served with the existing 10 town courts, or one, two or three district courts.

“We want to study the issue,” Cardone said. “I don’t think we’re doing our jobs if we don’t study it.”

The DA also is compiling information on code enforcement in the local towns and villages to see if it would be better to have centralized code enforcement through the county.

The DA’s office is gathering the data from the local municipalities on the code enforcement budgets for 2020 and 2021, with the salary and benefits of personnel, as well as other expenses.

Some counties, such as nearby Wyoming County, run code enforcement through the county, where there is a full-time presence. In Orleans, most of the municipalities have part-time code officers.

“Right now with codes we are lacking standardization and consistency,” County Legislator Ken DeRoller said at a recent meeting with the Orleans County Association of Municipalities.

1,700 have filled out survey on high-speed internet access in Orleans

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 December 2020 at 1:51 pm

Local group wants to reach goal of 5,000 completed surveys

Local leaders trying to document the needs for high-speed internet in Orleans County are pleased so far with the response to a survey of residents about their internet access and needs.

In the two weeks the survey has been available online, 1,700 people have responded, with 20 percent of those 17 or younger. (Click here to see the survey.)

Other notable feedback in the survey so far:

  • 17% of residents who responded do not have internet at home, and of those, 88% do not have an option of purchasing it.
  • Only 21% of respondents said that their internet is very reliable.
  • Females are participating in the survey at a rate of 2 to 1 to males.

Mary Beth Debus, president of Program Savvy Consulting, shared some of the early results of the survey with the Orleans Digital Literacy Initiative Steering Team. That group has a goal of 5,000 surveys from the community. The more data from local residents, the better the county can document the situation in the community for internet access and need, and can make a stronger case to potential funders, Debus said.

“Our ability to attract funders will be enhanced by being able to show the degree of engagement on this issue,” Debus said. “The participation in the survey is one way to measure engagement.”

The Orleans County United Way received a $50,000 grant to study the issue. It has hired a consultant who has interviewed school, business and community leaders on the issue. Debus prepared the 48-question survey for residents to share about their internet access and how it affects them. The online survey will be available soon in Spanish.

The United Way has formed a steering committee for the Orleans Digital Literacy Initiative. The committee includes Dean Bellack, executive director of the Orleans County United Way; County Legislator Ken DeRoller; Kelly Kiebala, director of the Orleans County Job Development Agency; Robert Batt, executive director of the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County; and Greg Reed, director of the Orleans County YMCA.

Debus is interviewing community members and expects to have the surveys tabulated for a report in March. That information will allow the county to then pursue funding through the state or federal government, or through at least 20 foundations.

State inspects county jail, says it’s meeting protocols for Covid-19

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 December 2020 at 8:45 am

ALBION – Inspectors from the New York State Commission of Correction Inspectors visited the Orleans County jail recently and concluded the site has the needed protocols in place to protect against the spread of Covid-19.

The jail has recently had an outbreak with 13 corrections officers and three inmates testing positive.

Commission of Correction staff reviewed the jail’s protocols for screening of employees, incarcerated individuals and anyone entering the facility. They also said signage throughout the facility, disinfecting procedures and the utilization of face coverings are consistent with the guidance provided by the Commission, the New York State Department of Health, and the Center for Disease Control.

Allen Riley, Chairman of the Commission, sent a letter on Dec. 9 to Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke, informing him of the results of the visit.

“As you are aware, detention facilities are at a greater risk for the spread of COVID-19 due to the close proximity of the individuals who reside and work in these facilities,” Riley wrote in the letter. “As such, a facility must take all available precautions to minimize the risk of a COVID-19 outbreak, while simultaneously maintaining a secure facility.”

Bourke said the jail staff have stepped up their efforts to keep the facility clean and fight off Covid.

“I would like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication by Superintendent Scott Wilson, the Jail Command Staff, Correction Officers, Cooks and nursing staff during these unprecedented times,” Bourke said.

‘Friend of Extension’ award goes to 50 who helped with food distributions this year

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 December 2020 at 8:04 am

Photo by Tom Rivers: Volunteers carry 20-pound boxes of produce and food during the rain on May 29 at the Orleans County 4-H fairgrounds. Volunteers distributed 1,200 boxes of food that day.

KNOWLESVILLE – The Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orleans County each year presents a “Friend of Extension” award, typically to a volunteer or supporter of the agency.

This year many of the Extension activities were cancelled including the 4-H fair due to Covid-19. The fairgrounds, however, were a busy place on about a dozen days, when the Extension distributed boxes of produce, meat and dairy products. On those dates, more than 1,000 vehicles stopped by the fairgrounds for the food.

The Extension counted about 50 people who volunteered for the food distributions. Many stayed for several hours, sometimes in the rain, and other times in stifling heat.

The Extension’s leadership decided to recognize those volunteers with the “Friend of the Extension” award for 2020.

“We are extremely grateful for all the people who came out because we couldn’t have participated in these distributions without them,” said Robert Batt, the Extension executive director.

Each volunteer will receive a thank you card and a small gift card to Dunkin’ Donuts. (This doesn’t include the volunteers who helped with the distributions in Albion, Holley and Medina.)

The Extension hosted and coordinated the distributions from May until early December. The U.S. Department of Agriculture hasn’t said if the program will continue after Dec. 31.

What may be final food distribution held this morning in Albion

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 December 2020 at 9:08 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Volunteers, including Natalie Mrzywka, Kim Hazel and Robert Batt from the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County, carry boxes to vehicles this morning in Albion in what is the last scheduled food distribution.

The events started in April in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, trying to connect excess produce and other food to people in need.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has funded the USDA Farmers to Families Food Box Program nation-wide through the end of December. An announcement hasn’t been made whether the distributions will continue in January.

These two walk down Chamberlain Street on their way to the elementary school, passing a long line of vehicles. The line also went down McKinistry, East Park and Main streets.

Krista Fiegel, an employee at the Iroquois Job Corps, rips the plastic off a pallet of boxes of food. She was one of four Job Corps employees who helped this morning.

Community Action and the Office for the Aging have been coordinating the events in Albion and Holley with the Medina Area Association of Churches taking the lead in Medina.

The line of vehicles stretched over four streets including Main Street. This photo was taken at about 8 a.m.

Deputies deliver boxes of toys to social services

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 December 2020 at 9:45 am

DSS organizing Christmas effort for 148 kids in the county

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Genesee County Deputy Robert Henning, left, and Orleans County Deputy Dave Foeller delivered boxes of toys on Tuesday to staff at the Orleans County Department of Social Services, with DSS staff Christina Tilbe, second from left, and Heather Manella helping to move the toys inside.

Stan’s Harley-Davidson in Batavia and Van’s Pit Stop in Clarendon collected toys to be given to families served by DSS. Stan’s collected seven boxes and Van’s, in its first year as a collection site, had one box for the effort.

The toys will be shared by DSS in Genesee and Orleans counties.

The local deputies also donated proceeds from “No-Shave November” to the DSS to purchase gifts for the kids.

Jesse Underwood, right, from Stan’s Harley-Davidson carries one of the boxes of toys. He said Stan’s customers gave more toys and bigger gifts this year for the drive.

“People were even more generous this year,” he said.

Orleans County Deputy Dave Foeller hands a box to Lisa Thrash, a caseworker with the Orleans County DSS. The deputies offered to transport the boxes for the annual drive.

Lisa Thrash carries a box inside the County Administration where the toys will be sorted. Jeanine Larkin, the DSS supervisor of foster care and preventive services, follows behind with boxes on a cart.

Larkin said the DSS staff is organizing an effort to provide presents to 148 children that they work with. They are trying to have at least two presents for each of the children.

Larkin said there used to be a holiday party for families and children at DSS, but that won’t happen this year due to Covid-19 restrictions.

The DSS staff will instead be delivering the gifts. She said many county employees have purchased toys and presents for the children, and the staff at the county courthouse purchased 25 winter jackets for children.

Other community members, churches and organizations provide toys for the agency to give to the children.

“There is so much love and joy coming in,” Larkin said.

Master Gardeners donate handmade holiday centerpieces to local groups

Provided photos from Orleans County CCE: Finished centerpieces are ready to be distributed.

Posted 8 December 2020 at 11:30 am

Press Release, Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension

Master Gardener Brenda Radzinski holds a finished centerpiece Saturday.

KNOWLESVILLE – Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension kicked off the holiday season with a series of small wreath-making classes open to the public last week.

Typically the class has extra greenery that is usually composted or taken home by volunteers for their own holiday décor. This year, however, Master Gardener vice-chairperson Janelle Flammger thought those leftover greens could be used in a better way.

“We talked at our meeting about how this holiday season would be different for so many people and how we could give some people a little boost,” Flammger explained. “I thought why not use the leftover plant material from wreath-making to make centerpieces that we could donate.”

Most years the Master Gardeners have a holiday party in December to celebrate another successful year of fun and educational programming. With the Covid-19 pandemic and ensuing restrictions, the entire season of their typical programming was cancelled.

This year, instead of their usual holiday party, the volunteers decided to get together to make holiday arrangements and gift them to various organizations. And so, this past Saturday, with cheerful holiday music playing in the background, six Master Gardener volunteers gathered at Orleans County CCE to get creative and spread a little joy.

“This is such a fantastic way for our volunteers to really support their neighbors in a festive and heartwarming way,” said Katie Oakes, coordinator of the Master Gardener volunteer group and Horticulture Educator at Orleans County CCE. “And so many of our community members were impacted by the pandemic this year, especially those in medical or long-term care facilities. We realize that everyone’s holidays will look a little different this year, and our volunteers just wanted to spread a little cheer in whatever way they can.”

Oakes reached out to the Orleans County Office of the Aging Director Melissa Blanar for ideas of locations to donate the centerpieces to. In addition to Medina Memorial Hospital and Orleans County’s two resident nursing and rehabilitation centers (Oak Orchard Rehabilitation in Medina and The Villages in Albion), volunteers donated festive arrangements to Supportive Care (formerly Hospice of Orleans County), long-term adult care facilities, and congregate meal sites at various locations in the county.

Orleans County CCE staff and all of our dedicated volunteers are wishing all the residents of Orleans County a safe and happy holiday season.

Master Gardener Nancy Halstead used fresh pine and fir branches to create one of the centerpieces.

This centerpiece was delivered to Supportive Care of Orleans in Albion.

Orleans seeks input on high-speed internet gaps in county

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 December 2020 at 3:25 pm

Residents urged to take survey, sharing internet needs, frustrations

A group from Orleans County wants to document the high-speed internet gaps in the county, and hear how a lack of internet access is affecting businesses, students and residents.

The Orleans County United Way received a $50,000 grant to study the issue. It has hired a consultant who has interviewed school, business and community leaders on the issue. Mary Beth Debus, president of Program Savvy Consulting, also has prepared a survey for residents to share about their internet access and how it affects them. (Click here to see the 48-question survey.)

The United Way has formed a steering committee for the Orleans Digital Literacy Initiative. The committee includes Dean Bellack, executive director of the Orleans County United Way; County Legislator Ken DeRoller; Kelly Kiebala, director of the Orleans County Job Development Agency; Robert Batt, executive director of the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County; and Greg Reed, director of the Orleans County YMCA.

“We are in the information-gathering stage,” Bellack said.

Debus is working to have the community interviews done and surveys tabulated for a report in March. That information will allow the county to then pursue funding through the state or federal government, or through at least 20 foundations.

County Legislator Ken DeRoller said the internet shortcomings are a major barrier for businesses and students, who need high-speed internet access to file reports and do assignments. The lack of high-speed internet, especially in the more rural areas, also is a deterrent to attracting residents, who expect high-speed internet not only for work and school, but for leisure when watching Netflix or other videos and television.

Even migrant farmworkers want high-speed internet when they are staying in Orleans County. Not having it can be a deterrent to attracting farm labor, DeRoller said.

There are 10,500 housing structures with about 14,000 units in the county. DeRoller said about 30 percent do not have access to high-speed internet. Many others don’t have enough bandwidth to accommodate multiple devices at once in a home.

That is a concern shared by the five school district superintendents in Orleans County. Many students have been frustrated with remote learning at home because they can’t download homework or watch teachers give instruction through videos.

“It has become so clear there are real barriers to various needs within the community,” Debus said.

Another consultant has estimated it would cost $4 million to bring broadband to everyone in the county, through a combination of cable and wireless. DeRoller said Orleans County is ready to apply in a new road of federal funding, with applications expected to be accepted in January.

The cost of the service also is a barrier for some residents. The survey will ask that question: if the needed bandwidth is too costly?

The committee also believes there is a knowledge gap for many residents, especially senior citizens, with using computers. They might want to order groceries online and pick them up or have them delivered but might not know how to use Instacart.

The survey and study could show there is a need for computer literacy educators in the community to help people use the technology, including downloading and using apps.

There is also an option for telehealth services where residents could communicate with healthcare professionals through Facetime or other video conferencing. The survey asks residents if they know how to use that technology.

The committee is currently focused on phase 1, the data gathering. Phase 2 of the initiative will list the internet needs in the county and “how to get there” with funding the project.

The group has three focuses with the high-speed internet expansion: employment, education and equity.

DeRoller said the internet isn’t a matter of convenience. It’s a critical issue for the county residents and making the community attractive for living and working.

“We need to be competitive in this environment,” he said.

$73 million county budget passes unanimously

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 December 2020 at 7:52 pm

ALBION – Orleans County legislators unanimously approved a $73,262,025 budget today for 2021. The spending plan will increase the tax levy by 1.66 percent, which is just under the county’s allowable tax cap of 1.75 percent.

The budget increases spending by 2.16 percent, from $71,711,638 to $73,262,025. The tax rate will go up by 1.11 percent or 11 cents, from $9,87 to $9.98 per $1,000 of assessed property.

The seven county legislators all backed the budget and there wasn’t any dissent during a public hearing on Monday and during a public comment opportunity this afternoon.

Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson said the budget maintains existing programs, stays under the tax cap and provides resources to fight Covid.

The budget reduces the county workforce, eliminating 8 full-time jobs and 12 part-time positions from 2020.

Some other budget highlights include:

The budget for the first time sets a county cap on community colleges. The county pay up to $2,050,000 to community colleges in 2021. The cost is supposed to be split into thirds, with the state, local municipality and student each paying a third. But Johnson said the state has pulled back on its contribution, putting more pressure on students and local municipalities.

The county will be spending $2,240,251 for community colleges in 2020. That is $190,251 over the cap it is setting. The county will pay the full amount this year, but starting in 2021 the towns will pay any local cost over the $2,050,000.

The town share will be based on credit hours of residents in those towns. Based on the data in 2019/2020, the additional $190,251 overages for each town would be $40,384 in Albion, $8,283 for Barre, $14,105 in Carlton, $15,040 in Clarendon, $14,096 in Gaines, $9,063 in Kendall, $21,020 in Murray, $34,297 in Ridgeway, $22,198 in Shelby and $11,760 in Yates.

Nine mandated programs from the state account for more than 90 percent of the tax levy, Welch said. Those “9 for 90” mandates and their county cost include: Medicaid, $8,121,776; Pension, $3,054,489; Public Assistance/Safety Net, $1,802,337; Child Welfare/Protection, $1,336,399; Special Education, $971,931; Probation, $759,299; Indigent Defense, $536,053; Youth Detention, $302,650; and Early Intervention, $204,688.

Those nine mandated costs add up to $17,089,622, or 93 percent of the $18,309,497 tax levy.

The budget allocates $2,577,00 in capital projects — $1,225,000 for highway reconstruction with state CHIPS money (down 20%), $1,152,000 in preventive maintenance on four bridges (funded through federal TIP funds), and $100,000 in county funds for culvert and bridge repairs, and $100,000 in local funds to patch and seal county roads.

• Sales tax is currently slightly above the receipts in 2019. That convinced county officials to budget $400,000 more in sales tax in 2021, to $16,175,000. (The county also is in a two-year annual sales tax diversion of $190,274 for “Fiscally Distressed Health Facilities,” which was imposed by the state.)

The budget also maintains funding to outside agencies. They didn’t face a funding cut, and they didn’t get an increase.

Those agencies and organizations in the budget include: $240,000 to Cornell Cooperative Extension, $190,000 to Orleans Economic Development Agency, $92,500 to Soil & Water Conservation District, $10,000 to be shared among four public libraries, $5,000 to Mercy Flight, $4,000 to Sportsmen Federation, and $3,000 to GO Art!

The fee for solid waste and recycling service will be $216, which is a 2 percent increase from 2020.