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Legislators voted Tuesday to set a public hearing for overriding the tax levy limit. The hearing will coincide with the county Legislature's next monthly meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26. The meeting will be held at the Ward W. O'Hara Agricultural & Country Living Museum, 6880 E. Lake Road.Ìý

Cayuga County Legislature Chairwoman Aileen McNabb-Coleman provided an update on the budget process, with ongoing meetings and several more planned for November and December. The county is facing a multi-million dollar deficit that's been exacerbated by the costs associated with the county office building closure.Ìý

"The budget is going to be difficult this year," McNabb-Coleman said. "We're going to have a lot of work ahead of us." 

The property tax cap is generally set at 2% or the rate of inflation, whichever is lower. But the limit has not yet been calculated for Cayuga County, according to McNabb-Coleman.Ìý

To override the tax cap, 60% of the county Legislature — seven of 11 members — must vote for the local law.Ìý

The lone vote against scheduling the public hearing was Legislator Hans Pecher. Pecher, C-Genoa, opposed the resolution because he wants the county to eliminate "unnecessary positions" instead of exceeding the property tax cap.Ìý

But Legislator Elane Daly, who chairs the county Legislature's Ways and Means Committee, disagreed with that approach.Ìý

"It's going to be extremely difficult in one year to make the adjustments we need to make," she said.Ìý

The county has not yet released a proposed 2025 budget. The deadline to adopt the budget is Dec. 20.Ìý

In other news

• McNabb-Coleman informed legislators there will be special meetings held on the building closure and relocation.Ìý

The county office building has been closed since late May and will remain shuttered for the next two years. County leaders have been working on longer-term solutions for departments displaced by the closure.Ìý

• Brian Soper has been reappointed as the county highway superintendent.Ìý

Soper was appointed to a four-year term in 2020. The county Legislature approved his appointment for another four-year term that takes effect Oct. 28 and runs through Oct. 27, 2028. His annual salary will be $100,535.Ìý

• The Cayuga County Republican Committee notified the Legislature that the party has selected a new election commissioner.Ìý

Chantell Hotaling will succeed John Camardo as the Republican election commissioner in Cayuga County. Camardo, who is also the former county GOP chair, has been the GOP election commissioner since 2023.Ìý

Cayuga County Republican Chairman Nate VeVone told Ë®¹ûÅÉAV that the change will take effect after the presidential election. The county Legislature is expected to finalize the appointment at its November meeting.Ìý