🏢 Orleans County Legislature
Orleans County Legislature Approves $50,000 in Grants, Raises Civil Fees for Sheriff’s Office
The Orleans County Legislature authorized applications for roughly $50,000 in state and federal grants during its May 27 meeting, while also approving a fee increase for Sheriff's Office civil services. Legislators also recognized the 50th anniversary of the Office for the Aging and proclaimed June as Elder Abuse Month.
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Key Actions & Decisions
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Authorized $40,000 grant from NYS Canal Corporation for Erie Canal patrols (7-0 vote).
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Approved application for Next Generation 911 grant funding to improve emergency communications (7-0 vote).
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Updated Sheriff’s Office civil fee schedule, including hikes for income executions and process serving, effective July 1 (7-0 vote).
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Accepted $10,762 state grant for Alternatives to Incarceration (ATI) community service program (7-0 vote).
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Authorized application for federal grant to reimburse 50% of body armor vest costs (7-0 vote).
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Proclaimed June 7, 2025, as DAR Month and June as Elder Abuse Month.
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Approved banner request for Albion summer concert series at Bullard Park.
ALBION — The Orleans County Legislature unanimously approved a slate of grant applications and law enforcement funding measures during its regular meeting on May 27, 2025. The session, held at the county courthouse and led by Chairwoman Lynne Johnson, focused heavily on public safety funding and administrative updates, alongside several proclamations recognizing county departments and community organizations.
Law enforcement funding led the agenda with the passage of Resolution No. 217-525. Legislators authorized the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office to accept a $40,000 grant from the New York State Canal Corporation. This funding, effective from April 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026, will support patrols along the Erie Canal and Canalway Trail. The deputies assigned to these patrols are tasked with enforcing state marine laws and monitoring activity on the water and pathways.
The Legislature also moved to modernize emergency communications capabilities. Through Resolution No. 219-525, the body authorized the Sheriff’s Office to apply for the Next Generation 911 Grant Program. Administered by the NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, the funding is intended to help county-level public safety answering points (PSAPs) develop multijurisdictional compatibility and improve interoperability for first responders.
“This grant funding is essential to ensuring our emergency services can communicate effectively and continue to protect our residents,” said Johnson following the vote.
In other financial matters, the Legislature authorized the Sheriff’s Office to apply for a federal grant through the Bureau of Justice Assistance. Under the Bullet Proof Vest Partnership initiative, the county can receive reimbursement for up to 50% of the cost of body armor vests purchased for deputies. Additionally, the county accepted a $10,762 lump sum grant from the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services to continue the Alternatives to Incarceration (ATI) community service program for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.
Residents utilizing the Sheriff’s Office for civil legal processing will see higher fees starting July 1. Resolution No. 220-525 updated the civil office fee schedule to reflect increases signed into law by Governor Hochul in December 2024.
The new schedule introduces a mileage-based rate structure for serving legal papers. For example, service within the Albion zip code (14411) will carry a $20.00 mileage fee, while service in outlying areas like Kendall or Lyndonville will cost $28.00. Fees for income executions will rise to $110.00, and property executions will cost $85.00. The resolution also stipulates that all civil fees must be paid in advance and that the Sheriff’s Office cannot provide legal advice to litigants.
Beyond financial resolutions, the meeting served as a platform for community recognition. Legislator John Miller presented a joint proclamation to the Department of Social Services and the Office for the Aging declaring June as Elder Abuse Month. Accepting the proclamation were DSS caseworkers Julie Sanford and Teri Lester, and Aging Service Specialist Samantha Koons.
The Legislature also marked a significant milestone for the Office for the Aging. Clerk Lisa Stenshorn read a letter from Eileen Kosieracki, DO, congratulating the office on reaching its 50-year anniversary of service to the community.
Other proclamations included:
* Legislator Morgan proclaimed June 7, 2025, as DAR Month, honoring the Centennial anniversary of the Orleans Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
* Legislator Allport declared the week of May 11th as National Hospital Week, recognizing Orleans Community Health. Executive Director Megan Johnson and Marketing Director Scott Robinson were present to accept the honor.
In minor business, the Legislature approved a request from Village of Albion Recreation Director John Grillo to hang a banner advertising summer concerts at Bullard Park. While the county typically limits banner displays to two weeks, the Legislature granted an exception for the concert series to run from June 16 to August 27, provided the banner is removed if another organization requests the space.
The meeting adjourned with all seven legislators—Allport, Draper, Eick, Fitzak, Johnson, Morgan, and Miller—present. The next scheduled meeting of the Orleans County Legislature is set for June.
Coverage of the Orleans County Legislature meeting on 2025-05-27,
Village of Albion, NY.
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Related Orleans County Legislature Meetings
2025-06-24
Orleans Legislature Tackles State Inmate Backlog, Approves Opioid Fund Purchases
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Key Actions & Decisions
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Unanimously approved Resolution 267-625 urging NYS to transfer state-ready inmates and fully reimburse counties (7-0 vote).
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Authorized $87,579 in opioid settlement spending for a new Sheriff's van ($85,000), drone equipment ($2,229), and training ($350).
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Approved the purchase of a $16,500 driving simulator for the STOP DWI program.
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Accepted national awards from the National Association of Counties for the Tourism Department and the DA's Major Felony Crime Task Force.
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Authorized the Sheriff’s Animal Control Division to apply for ASPCA grant funding for spay/neuter programs.
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Recognized Jay Lazarony, retiring Executive Director of the GLOW Workforce Development Board.
2025-04-22
Orleans Legislature Marks Bicentennial with Gift of Art, Addresses Financial Health as Tobacco Revenue Drops
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Key Actions & Decisions
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Accepted a bicentennial painting from artist Carol Culhane to be hung in the County Clerk’s building.
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Approved $1 million loan from the general fund to capital projects, to be reimbursed by grant funding.
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Recognized the Public Health Department for achieving national accreditation status.
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Proclaimed May 18-24 as Emergency Medical Services Week.
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Authorized lighting the County Dome red for volunteer firefighter recruitment (April 21-25).
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Authorized lighting the County Dome green for Mental Health Awareness Month (May 4-17).
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Approved use of Courthouse Square for the Motorcycle Safety Awareness Run (May 4).
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Approved use of Courthouse lawn and steps for the Albion Strawberry Festival (June 12-14).
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.
2025-03-25
Orleans Legislature Approves $160K Payment for Scrapped EMO Project, Seeks State Funding for Jail Addiction Treatment
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Key Actions & Decisions
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Approved final payment of $160,187.26 to LaBella Associates for the cancelled Emergency Management Office building project.
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Adopted resolution urging NYS to increase Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) funding for county jails by $11 million.
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Authorized the Sheriff's Office to apply for a $5,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation for the "Shop with a Cop" program.
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Approved nearly $500,000 in grant funding for law enforcement technology upgrades.
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Authorized expenditure of $37,839.90 in grant funds for new mobile radios and accessories for Emergency Management.
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Approved agreements with Ernst’s Lake Breeze Marina for marine fuel and vessel servicing for the 2025 season.
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Authorized filling vacancies in the Sheriff’s Office, including a full-time Deputy Sheriff and part-time Corrections Officers.
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Recognized Corrections Officers Brandi Brege and Lt. Danny Woodward for saving the life of an incarcerated individual.
2025-03-20
Orleans Legislature Demands Repeal of Governor's Order on Fired Corrections Officers
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Key Actions & Decisions
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Unanimously adopted Resolution No. 114-325 calling for the repeal of Governor Kathy Hochul’s Executive Order No. 47.3 (6-0 vote).
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Unanimously adopted Resolution No. 113-325 approving a one-year agreement with the CSEA, including a 2% raise and expanded office hours (6-0 vote).
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Authorized Orleans County as the lead agency for the Broadband II project under SEQR and issued a negative declaration of environmental impact (6-0 vote).
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.
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