水果派AV

The county Legislature's Democratic majority supported the budget's passage, while the Republican caucus opposed it. The vote concluded a month-long process that didn't significantly alter the spending plan.听

Overall, the budget will cut 23 jobs and increase the property tax levy by 4.19%. The county will use $5.6 million from its fund balance.听

Before the final vote, the county Legislature considered four amendments. Legislator Hans Pecher, C-Genoa, proposed slashing the county Planning Department's budget and Legislator Mark Strong, R-Moravia, wanted to eliminate funding for the vacant county manager's position. Both amendments failed.听

Legislator Stephanie DeVito, D-Auburn, sought to restore two jobs that are slated to be cut from the county Department of Motor Vehicles, but Legislator Brian Muldrow, D-Auburn, asked to table the resolution. He is working with Cayuga County Clerk Brian Scanlan, who oversees the DMV, on a possible solution that would allow the department to retain the employees. DeVito's amendment was tabled.听

The lone amendment to be approved was introduced by Legislator Tom Winslow, a Weedsport Republican. He proposed eliminating a full-time administrative assistant and delaying the hiring of a planner until April 1, 2025. The moves will save the county $84,869.听

The passage of the budget caps off a tumultuous year for the county. It began in January when a wind storm damaged the county office building's roof. A temporary repair allowed the building to reopen while the county explored longer term fix.听

Four months later, the building closed after granular material was discovered in a fifth-floor office. Tests determined it was asbestos-containing vermiculite.听

County officials decided to close the building for the summer, which caused a major disruption in operations. Several departments were displaced and needed to find temporary homes. Meanwhile, an inspection found vermiculite throughout the building.听

In September, Cayuga County Legislature Chairwoman Aileen McNabb-Coleman announced the building will be closed for two years. She also revealed that the county would lease the former Lyons National Bank building at 63 Genesee St. in Auburn.听

McNabb-Coleman confirmed at the meeting Thursday that the lease has been signed and the county is working to set up the building for a few agencies, including the county Department of Social Services.听

The 2025 budget does not address the future of the county office building. A consulting firm presented legislators with a $52 million plan to renovate the structure, but that was before the vermiculite discovery. The Legislature has not voted on the proposal.听