🏢 Orleans County Legislature
Orleans County Legislature Secures State Grants for Traffic Safety; Jail Health Costs Locked In
The Orleans County Legislature authorized over $60,000 in new state grants for STOP DWI and traffic safety initiatives during their September 23 meeting, while also approving a three-year contract extension for jail health services. The meeting also featured recognition for local agencies and a report highlighting a significant increase in county interest earnings.
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Key Actions & Decisions
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Approved $30,850 in STOP DWI grant funding for 2026 to support patrols, equipment, and youth education (Vote: 7-0).
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Authorized a three-year agreement with PrimeCare Medical for jail health services, with a first-year cost of $817,089.96 ($68,090.83/month) and annual increases capped at 3.5% (Vote: 7-0).
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Accepted a $20,000 High Visibility Enforcement Grant from the NYS STOP DWI Foundation for increased patrols during holidays (Vote: 7-0).
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Accepted $11,835 in additional grants from the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee for seat belt enforcement and child passenger safety (Vote: 7-0).
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Approved $15,824 in technology service agreements for jail body scanners and fingerprint systems (Vote: 7-0).
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Received financial update showing county interest earnings grew from $97,945 in 2018 to over $2.09 million in 2024.
ALBION — The Orleans County Legislature moved to bolster local law enforcement capabilities and secure long-term healthcare services for the jail during their monthly meeting on September 23.
Led by Chairman Lynne Johnson, the legislature unanimously authorized the Sheriff’s Office to apply for and accept over $60,000 in state grants aimed at reducing impaired driving and improving traffic safety. The funds, earmarked for the 2026 calendar year, will be distributed across the Sheriff’s Office, town courts, the Probation Department, and the Youth Bureau.
A significant portion of the funding, a $30,850 grant from the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, will facilitate increased STOP DWI patrols and purchase necessary equipment. The legislature also authorized acceptance of a $20,000 High Visibility Enforcement Grant from the NYS STOP DWI Foundation. This specific grant targets high-traffic holiday periods, allowing for enhanced enforcement campaigns from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026.
“It’s about keeping our roads safe,” said legislators during the resolution discussion, noting that the grants also fund educational outreach for youth and support the ten town courts within the county.
In addition to traffic safety, the legislature moved to ensure continuity of care at the Orleans County Jail. Resolution No. 388-925 authorized a three-year agreement extension with PrimeCare Medical of New York, Inc. The contract, running from September 1, 2025, through August 31, 2028, sets the first-year monthly base compensation at $68,090.83, totaling roughly $817,000 for the first year. The agreement includes provisions for annual increases in the subsequent two years, capped at 3.5%.
The legislature also approved smaller technological agreements for the jail, including an $11,225 contract to service the Tek84 Intercept Whole Body Scanner and a $4,599 agreement for the Idemia Livescan fingerprint system.
**Financial Health Recognized**
While the legislature approved new expenditures, County Treasurer Kim DeFrank offered a positive report on the county’s financial intake. DeFrank highlighted that Orleans County has been recognized with the "cashVest90+" award by the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) for maintaining high money management benchmarks for four consecutive quarters.
DeFrank provided data illustrating a dramatic rise in interest earnings on county funds. In 2018, the county earned $97,945.57 across all funds. By the end of 2024, that number had surged to $2,090,278.14.
“Our finances are pretty healthy,” DeFrank told the board.
**Community Recognitions**
The meeting was punctuated by several ceremonies recognizing community milestones and service.
Legislator Morgan presented a special recognition to Charlie Ricci for his dedication in completing a bathroom project at the 4-H Fair just in time for the event. Robert Batt, Executive Director of Cornell Cooperative Extension, was present for the honor.
Legislator Allport recognized two major agency anniversaries. Proclamations were presented to Renee Hungerford, Executive Director of Community Action of Orleans & Genesee, for their 60th anniversary, and to Kathy Hodgins, CEO of UConnectCare, for their 50th anniversary.
Hungerford addressed the board, noting that Community Action assisted nearly 5,000 individuals last year. “As our country faces turbulent times... we recognize the privilege and honor for our agency to be here to assist when people are facing difficult finance issues,” Hungerford said.
The legislature also proclaimed October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Judianne Gearing and Kelley Ortiz from the Department of Social Services accepted the proclamation. Additionally, the dome of the county courthouse will be lit purple from October 1 through October 14 to raise awareness for the cause.
Other proclamations included the recognition of Sheriff’s Week (Sept 14-20) and National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (Oct 19-25), accepted by Sheriff Bourke and Public Health Director Paul Pettit, respectively.
The meeting concluded with the announcement of the 11th Annual Family Game Night, scheduled for October 9 at Dubby’s, a free event for families to engage with county departments.
The legislature will meet again next month to continue budget discussions and address ongoing county business.
Coverage of the Orleans County Legislature meeting on 2025-09-23,
Village of Albion, NY.
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This article was drafted by AI (claude-sonnet-4-20250514) from the official meeting transcript and reviewed by a human editor.
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Related Orleans County Legislature Meetings
2025-10-28
Orleans County Legislators OK Funds for Sheriff’s Office App, K-9 Unit, and Ammunition
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Key Actions & Decisions
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Approved $12,285 annual maintenance fee for Sheriff’s Office mobile app (Vote: 6-0)
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Authorized $23,686.02 purchase of ammunition for SWAT team from Jurek Brothers Inc. (Vote: 6-0)
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Accepted $5,000 in community donations for the Sheriff's K-9 unit (Vote: 6-0)
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Created and filled five part-time Correction Officer positions due to vacancies and resignations (Vote: 6-0)
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Moved tax foreclosure auction to February 17, 2026, to comply with new state laws
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Approved lighting Courthouse Dome green from Nov. 4-11 for Operation Green Light
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Recognized Kristina Gabalski for State and National 4-H achievement
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Proclaimed November as National Adoption Awareness Month
2025-08-19
Orleans County Legislature Approves New Safety Gear for Sheriff, 911 Tech Upgrade
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Key Actions & Decisions
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Unanimously authorized the purchase of ballistic armor and carriers for the Sheriff’s Jail division (Resolution 355-825).
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Approved the purchase of five "less than lethal" launchers for the SWAT team at a cost of $8,455 (Resolution 353-825).
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Adopted a five-year agreement with Rapid SOS to provide data applications to 911 and emergency responders at $0 cost to the county (Resolution 352-825).
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Authorized the purchase of a K9 unit insert for $11,913.73, paid for with Opioid funds (Resolution 354-825).
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Approved a reorganization of the Sheriff's Administration civil service titles, abolishing several clerical roles to create two new Principal Civil Clerk positions (Resolution 357-825).
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renewed a rental agreement with the Public Defender’s Office at a rate of $13.11 per square foot (Resolution 359-825).
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Approved a temporary secretary position in the District Attorney’s Office to cover for an upcoming medical leave (Resolution 362-825).
2025-08-15
Orleans County Legislators Approve Extension of 1% Sales Tax Through 2027
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Key Actions & Decisions
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Approved Resolution 351-825, extending the 1% additional sales and use tax from December 1, 2027, to November 30, 2027 (Vote: 6-1; Legislator Draper opposed).
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Ratified a complex amendment updating tax rates for compensating use tax, hotel occupancy, and amusement charges to align with the new extension date.
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Authorized the use of net collections from the additional tax for general County purposes.
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Entered Executive Session at 9:03 a.m. to discuss current litigation.
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Adjourned the special meeting at 9:14 a.m.
2025-07-22
Orleans County Legislators Approve 2% Raises for Management, OK Funds for Opioid Remediation
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Key Actions & Decisions
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Adopted Management Compensation Plan: Approved 2% salary increases for management and elected officials in 2026 and 2027 (6-0 vote).
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Emergency Radio Upgrade: Amended agreement with L3 Harris Technologies to include services for the new Carlton Tower site at a cost of $33,833.
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IT Infrastructure Refresh: Authorized the purchase of 67 new Dell computers for a countywide refresh at a cost of $63,816.
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Raise the Age Funding: Accepted $172,726 in state grant money to cover costs associated with the Raise the Age legislation.
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Opioid Settlement: Authorized an agreement with Sandoz, Inc. to receive settlement funds in 2026 for opioid remediation.
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Probation Department: Approved an agreement with the NYS Intelligence Center to access data on violent gangs and terrorist organizations.
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Real Property Tax Hours: Changed office hours for the Real Property Tax Department to 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. year-round.
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New Appointment: Appointed Sarah Dale as Records Management Officer with a $2,500 annual stipend.
2025-12-03
Orleans County Legislature Adopts $20.1M Budget, Authorizes Relevy of Unpaid Taxes
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Key Actions & Decisions
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Adopted the 2026 Orleans County Budget with a tax levy of $20,139,000 (7-0 vote).
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Approved the apportionment of the tax levy across the county's ten towns and three villages.
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Authorized the relevy of $1.96 million in unpaid school taxes with a 7% penalty.
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Authorized the relevy of $516,216 in unpaid village taxes with a 5% penalty.
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Authorized the relevy of $131,239 in unpaid recycling and solid waste program fees.
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Authorized tax levies for various town highway, fire, water, and light districts.
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Approved charging back $3,522 in erroneous taxes to respective towns and school districts.
2025-12-16
Orleans County Legislature OKs Funds for SWAT Gear, Marine Unit, and EMS Upgrades in Year-End Meeting
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Key Actions & Decisions
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Approved $5,447.41 for SWAT equipment: Purchased five Peltor Comtac Headsets and adaptors using funds transferred from the SWAT automotive and gas/oil lines.
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Approved $32,848.88 for Marine Unit repairs: Authorized the purchase of collar skins and bow cover for vessel M-1, with NY State Parks reimbursing half the cost.
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Restructured Sheriff’s Office command: Created a new full-time Road Patrol Lieutenant position and filled a Road Patrol Sergeant vacancy, effective Dec 24.
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Extended EMS contract: Renewed agreement with University of Rochester Medical Faculty Group for medical director services at $180/hour.
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Added GIS mapping to fire study: Amended previous resolution to add $18,500 in GIS mapping features to the county-wide fire and EMS study.
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Finalized tower lease: Approved a five-year lease with Saia Communications in Clarendon worth $13,200 annually, with a 4% yearly increase.
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Extended Assigned Counsel Plan: Extended the plan for indigent defense for three years through 2028.
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Honored retirees: Recognized Patricia Eick (30 years) and Fran Gaylord (25 years) upon their retirement from the Emergency Management Office.
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