genesee county

Press Release:

Genesee County is pleased to announce the appointment of Katie L. Stein as the new Deputy County Treasurer. A lifelong resident, Katie brings a wealth of experience and a strong educational background to the position.

Treasurer-elect Kevin Andrews expressed enthusiasm about Katie joining the team, stating, “I am excited to work with Katie as we continue to serve the residents of Genesee County with transparency and fiscal responsibility.”

Katie resides in Le Roy and has deep roots in the Genesee County community. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Hilbert College and a Master of Science in Forensic Accounting from The College at Brockport, which showcases her commitment to excellence and specialization in finance. 

With extensive experience in compliance and financial management, Katie’s background positions her to bring valuable expertise and leadership to the Treasurer’s Office. Genesee County is confident that her knowledge and commitment to the community will further strengthen the office’s mission of fiscal stewardship.

Katie will officially begin her role as Deputy County Treasurer in January 2025.

A salary study provided to Genesee County legislators has fueled raises of up to 5% for employees and management, which the county hopes will make it more competitive and help recruit and retain people.

Michael Misrahi of Evergreen Solutions, LLC of Florida, presented his findings during a Ways & Means meeting this week. He was asked about the shelf life of this study.

“So all this information has been collected in FY 24 essentially, and so, this is the recommendation (that the study is) intended for you to implement in the upcoming fiscal year. If you were unable to do so for whatever reason and delay it, you would really need to assume the market has moved in that time. So if you were to push this out a year and try to look at the recommendations there, you will essentially be passed by the market in that time frame. And there's no way of knowing exactly how much the market is going to move in this next year,” Misrahi said. “However, if you like a general figure, I would say somewhere between usually two and a half to three and a half percent is a safe bet. For your guys’ region right now, it seems to be about where the market has been each year. Obviously, it's hard to predict where the economy goes and tax revenue bases and all of that, but that's been about the average we've seen over the last few years.”

The study included a current compensation structure assessment, market comparison against peer organizations in other New York State counties, established competitive positioning and then gave recommendations to address what Misrahi believed to be existing market gaps. 

Genesee County’s cost of living index was at 104.4, which wasn’t the highest — Ontario was at 107.9 — and higher than six other counties in the comparison. Key findings were that:

• All employee groups lagged the market throughout most of the salary ranges. 
• AFSME and CSEA average actual salaries lagged by the market by just under 10%.
• Specific positions lagged the market by more than 10 to 15%, market position varied by role.

Misrahi recommended increases aligned with the cost of living index, giving AFSCME and CSEA 4% raises and management 3.5%. Evergreen also provided the county with a set of pay grade changes to close market gaps for roles more significantly off-market, which county administrators were to review and amend as appropriate to ensure internal and external equity was maintained.

The combination of the structural increases and new pay grades will close the county’s existing market gap and align it with the market average, the study stated.

Legislators reviewed the 2025 employee and management salary schedules after the presentation. 

“Looking at the salary schedule, I see where some of the people have quite a jump,” Legislator Gary Maha said.

HR Director Anita Cleveland said that some of those employees are moving up the steps implemented a few years ago. The Evergreen study was used for the percentage increase, and the management salary schedule was based on it.

“Retention and recruitment is really hard, but this gives us an idea of what we can do … and those folks that are in public service are appropriately compensated,” Legislative Chair Shelley Stein said. 

County Manager Matt Landers agreed, adding, "we are implementing the recommendations.” 

The Batavian asked if he had an idea of how many employees actually leave their jobs because of pay issues on a regular or annual basis and whether it’s across all departments or in particular departments.

“With a workforce of 550 people, we have regular turnover in numerous departments, along with long-term open vacancies,” he said. “We try to conduct exit interviews as often as possible, and although we don’t have any official stats, the most common reasons I hear of people leaving is for more money or a more flexible schedule that private sector employers can sometimes offer.” 

The new American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) contract is as follows:

Wages have a 4% increase for 2025, 3% for 2026 and 4% for 2027. 

There is the creation of a Step 7, with a 4% increase.  Members with approximately 7+ years of service will be moved to Step 7.

Beginning Jan. 1, longevity will increase from $.10/hour to $.20/hour for every five years of continuous service, to a maximum of 30 years. Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, longevity will increase to $.25/hour for every five years of continuous service, to a maximum of 30 years.

Health Care:

2025 – employees hired prior to 1/1/15 will have a 13% cost share with a cap of 9% of earnings.

2026 – employees hired prior to 1/1/15 will have a 14% cost share with a cap of 9% of earnings.

2027 – employees hired prior to 1/1/15 will have a 15% cost share with a cap of 10% of earnings.

The Civil Service Employee Association (CSEA) is getting a 4% increase and management is getting a 3.5% increase.  CSEA grade adjustments will be negotiated with the union in the coming months.  Management and union members also receive annual step increases until they reach the top of their grade. 

In addition, specific management positions were recommended for an additional one grade adjustment based on the Evergreen study. One grade adjustment equals an approximately 5% increase. Those positions are listed below:

• Director of Emergency Communications
• Compliance Officer
• Deputy Director Real Property
• Assistant DA-1^st
• Director Children w/ Special Needs
• Environmental Health Director
• Clinical Services Director
• Director of Community Mental Health Services
• Deputy HR Director
• Systems Analyst I
• Clerk of the Legislature
• Director of OFA
• OFA Services Administrator
• Probation Director
• Public Defender
• Deputy County Manager
• Executive Assistant to County Manager
• Commissioner of Social Services
• Deputy DPW Commissioner
• Deputy Director Community Mental Health
• Human Resources Director
• IT Director
• Chief Deputy-Criminal
• Chief Deputy-Patrol
• Deputy County Attorney
• Sr Assistant Public Defender
• Jail Superintendent
• Undersheriff

The following are management salaries, including longevity pay, for 2025:

• Administrative Officer 77,067
• Administrative Officer 75,953
• Administrative Officer (Treas.) 89,193
• Adolescent Behavioral Coordinator 71,781
• Adolescent Behavioral Specialist I 47,930
• Adolescent Behavioral Specialist I Vacant -
• Adolescent Behavioral Specialist II 47,735
• Airport Supervisor 70,006
• Assistant County Attorney 88,790
• Assistant County Attorney 110,775
• Assistant County Attorney 104,669
• Assistant County Attorney 104,669
• Assistant County Engineer 108,137
• Assistant County Engineer - EIT 91,232
• Assistant District Attorney 88,790
• Assistant District Attorney 110,775
• Assistant District Attorney 88,620
• Assistant District Attorney 104,246
• Assistant District Attorney 90,011
• Assistant District Attorney 110,775
• Assistant District Attorney - 1st 104,079
• Assistant Public Defender 110,775
• Assistant Public Defender 110,775
• Assistant Public Defender 110,775
• Assistant Public Defender 98,561
• Assistant Public Defender 110,775
• Assistant Public Defender 111,975
• Assistant Public Defender 110,775
• Assistant Public Defender PT 47,441
• Assistant Public Defender 54,428 PT
• Assistant Public Defender PT 53,792
• Assistant Public Defender Vacant -
• Assistant Public Defender Vacant -
• Assistant Public Defender Vacant -
• Assistant Public Defender Vacant -
• Asst. Dir Of Emerg. Communications/Operations 76,282
• Chairperson 22,663
• Chief Deputy-Criminal Vacant -
• Chief Deputy-Road Patrol 113,175
• Clerk to the County Legislature 76,990
• Clerk/Machine Technician PT Hrly 21
• Clerk/Machine Technician PT Hrly 21
• Clerk/Machine Technician PT Hrly 21
• Clerk/Machine Technician PT Hrly 21
• Clerk/Machine Technician PT Hrly 21
• Clerk/Machine Technician PT Hrly 21
• Clinical Services Director 87,397
• Code Enforcement Officer I PT Hrly 25
• Commissioner of Public Works 137,048
• Commissioner of Social Services 119,689
• Compliance Officer 87,593
• Confidential Secretary-Co. Attorney 48,406
• Confidential Secretary - DSS 59,808
• Confidential Secretary-DA 67,357
• Confidential Secretary-MH 66,606
• Confidential Secretary-PD 67,706
• Confidential Secretary-Sheriff 67,357
• Conservation Education Program Coord. 65,057
• Coord. Of SPOA/CCSI 73,806
• Coroner (Paid Per Diem) 2,000
• Coroner (Paid Per Diem) 2,000
• Coroner (Paid Per Diem) 2,000
• Coroner (Paid Per Diem) 2,000
• County Attorney 144,830
• County Clerk 111,975
• County Historian/Archivist 65,521
• County Manager 149,279
• County Treasurer 110,219
• Deputy Commissioner of Public Works 106,876
• Deputy Commissioner of Public Works 89,090
• Deputy County Attorney 129,529
• Deputy County Clerk 95,736
• Deputy County Clerk 94,722
• Deputy County Manager 118,313
• Deputy County Treasurer Vacant 
• Deputy Director of Community MH Services 88,290
• Deputy Director, Office of Emergency Management 69,977
• Deputy Election Commissioner 65,857
• Deputy Election Commissioner 66,657
• Deputy Fire Coordinator PT 7,500
• Deputy Fire Coordinator PT 7,500
• Deputy Fire Coordinator PT 7,500
• Deputy Fire Coordinator Vacant -
• Deputy Human Resources Director 92,722
• Deputy Jail Superintendent Vacant -
• Dir.Of Vet.Ser.Agency 85,300
• Director Of Community M H Services 121,582
• Director Of Emergency Communications 97,038
• Director of Financial Services 78,666
• Director Of Fiscal Oprerations & Child Support 74,996
• Director of Health Promotion 76,922
• Director of Information Technology 118,089
• Director of Office for the Aging 89,107
• Director of Planning 107,500
• Director of RPTS 74,852
• Director of Social Services 95,934
• Director, Office of Emergency Management 88,793
• Director-Children With Special Needs 93,409
• District Attorney 220,970
• District Attorney Investigator 86,793
• Election Commissioner 62,817
• Election Commissioner 62,817
• Electronic Health Records Program Specialist (MH) 63,507
• Emer. Management Training Tech. 54,723
• Empl. & Training Director II 86,910
• Empl. & Training Manager(WIB) 91,524
• Environmental Health Director 90,564
• Epidemiologist 66,684
• Epidemiologist 60,924
• Epidemiology Coordinator 80,956
• Executive Asst.-Co. Manager 89,060
• Fleet Maintenance Supervisor 71,831
• Gen. Justice Program Coord. 71,724
• GIS Analyst 62,808
• Health and Safety Coordinator 74,635
• Human Resources Director 123,729
• Human Resources Specialist 76,453
• IT Network Administrator 69,109
• IT Operations Analyst I 64,307
• IT Operations Analyst I 56,759
• IT Operations Analyst I 56,759
• IT Operations Analyst I 57,509
• IT Operations Analyst I 60,558
• IT Operations Analyst II 86,125
• Jail Superintendent 113,175
• Justice for Children Program Coord. 68,079
• Lead Program Coordinator 71,420
• Legislator 16,504
• MH Financial Program Specialist 50,802
• OFA Services Administrator 79,592
• PH Emergency Preparedness Coord. 82,292
• Probation Director (Group A) 107,900
• Probation Supervisor 77,882
• Probation Supervisor 81,927
• Project Manager Vacant -
• Public Communications & Web Design Specialist 65,109
• Public Defender 130,235
• Public Health Educator 67,256
• Public Health Educator 55,260
• Public Safety Systems Manager 74,347
• Purchasing Agent 65,637
• Purchasing Director 91,134
• Recycling Administrator 59,758
• Sheriff 124,529
• Specialist (Outpatient Clinic) 82,038
• Sr. Assistant Public Defender 124,529
• Sr. Assistant Public Defender 123,329
• Staff Psychiatrist Vacant -
• Systems Analyst I 73,806
• Transportation Coordinator - Health Dept. 59,611
• Undersheriff 118,713

An issue of homelessness couldn’t have been made more obvious for the folks at Batavia First Presbyterian Church and Crossroads House after they discovered people sleeping in a donations shed in the parking lot.

“We had to put a lock on the shed and put cameras up,” the Rev. Roula Alkhouri said Monday evening during an initial meeting about opening a warming center in Genesee County. “Four people had been sleeping there and under trailers behind Crossroads House.”

It became a stark visual example of what being homeless can look like, though there are many other ways, according to a presentation by Chief Executive Officer Karen Kinter of Oak Orchard Health, including:

• Living in hotels.
• Temporary housing after a tragedy.
• Living with relatives and/or friends.
• Couch surfing.
• Living on the streets.

Kinter has been involved in other warming centers, including one in Albion, and has offered her experience to help get one going here. 

What is a warming center?
This center is to be set up as an evening and overnight safe space for people in need of shelter from the cold on days when the temperature falls below 32-degrees. Organizers also want to provide an opportunity for this space to be a place of connection with helpful resources.

The meeting was to gauge interest, and about 50 people from several organizations and nonprofits attended, including Community Action of Orleans Genesee, Genesee County Mental Health, Department of Social Services and Sheriff’s Office, City of Batavia Police, Genesee ACE, St. James Episcopal Church, United Methodist Church, Community Services Board, and Crossroads House.

Kinter’s presentation covered factors that contribute to becoming homeless, such as not having the housing necessary for people in need of a lower-income home and the risk of incarceration or losing custody of children.

It takes education, partnerships with other organizations, community buy-in and resources, plus funding to help solve the problem, she said. 

“I started with my team and a lot of other community partners to get that open. As a primary care office, we track homelessness, so we see homeless people in our office,” she said. “But we've had several community partners reach out. Once they heard about Orleans County, they're like, how can we get one? Because we actually get some from Genesee County, some individuals that try to come to the warming center in Orleans County.  We’re like, wait, let's find out, what can we do here if there is a need, what’s working and what might be able to be enhanced?

“Tonight was really about understanding what the community is looking for, what the interest is if we're on the same page, or what questions, how can we educate the community about the need? And your role going forward would be to partner with the community organizations to potentially open a warming center,” she said. “We don't have funding at this time for Genesee County, so we would have to work with other partners and organizations to get the funding to open up a warming center. The funding pays for staff. So we would not pay all of the staff. What we would do is hire them, onboard them, train them, and ensure that they're equipped with tools and resources to do the work that's needed during the hours of operation.”

How do you spread the word to a small population of  people that may not have Internet to read online postings about a warming center?
“A lot of it is through many of the community partners right in the room. So, just like somebody said, somebody was living in a (clothing shed), so when that church found that person, they have somebody to call. They know a resource in the community,” she said. “And so, really, most of the community partners are our biggest kind of social media for the resource.”

The need is out there, even though you might never see a person sleeping on the street. On average, the Department of Social Services has “maybe 10 to 12 individuals a night, and during off-Code Blue hours, it could be five, it could be less,” Social Services Commissioner Carla Mindler said.

What is Code Blue?
“Code blue is when it's 32 degrees or below. That's including wind chill. So, the feels-like temperature, we use the Ready Genesee app through emergency management. So if that says it feels like 32 or below, it’s Code Blue. We do have individuals who are homeless during that time. So we still, if someone were placing someone homeless, we still do the due diligence to ensure that they are homeless and that they don't have other resources to use for their housing. If they have somewhere else to stay, then they still need to stay there. If they have money of their own, they have to use that for their housing,” Mindler said. “The difference during Code Blue is that if they are sanctioned, meaning they are normally eligible for temporary housing assistance, however, they are sanctioned due to noncompliance, they are eligible for housing during Code Blue, and that's the main difference.”

Those 10 to 12 individuals are who DSS encounters during the Code Blue times, she said. That doesn’t mean there aren’t more than that, but “those are the individuals that DSS are housing and paying for on a potentially typical Code Blue night,” she said. 

What role can DSS play in a future warming center?
“Certainly, we can provide information; I’m happy to share what DSS is doing and what the county plan is for Code Blue. We don’t get an allocation for Code Blue that’s large enough for me to share, unfortunately, because I will use all of those funds in-house simply placing individuals at hotels because not everyone will be able to go to the warming center, and we can’t force individuals to go to the warming center either,” she said. “So we will inevitably still use all of that money on the hotels and motels. I’m also just willing to talk about what the need is in the county, I obviously want to be involved in the conversation so we know what’s being planned and we know what’s available, and can help maybe identify other resources as well so that we’re aware of simply because of the work we do.”

There may be individuals that would prefer going to a warming center versus signing up for a DSS paid hotel, which also includes compliance with regulations and requirements, she said. 

“And that’s fine. I’d love to have that as a resource to refer people to,” she said.

Reasons for homelessness do vary and include mental health issues and substance use, among a variety of other reasons, Mental Health Deputy Director Peter Mittiga said. 

“I don’t have definitive numbers, but it’s just exciting to have another resource out there to provide to folks, to have a potential warming center,” he said. “We link folks up at DSS if they’re homeless, but if they have another source that they can go to, it’s great.”

Meeting attendees were asked to provide contact information, and another meeting will be set up to better define details to move forward with a center, Alkhouri said. 

“I want you to go home and think about it. Are you willing to work with a couple of people and be a champion of this?” she said to the group. “I feel like there’s energy around this … and we could enhance what’s in existence.” 

A few women — Deacon Diana Leiker, Terry Maguire and Jo-Ann Bestine — representing St. James Episcopal Church were wholeheartedly on board with assisting the cause, even if they didn’t know quite yet how. 

“We would like to be a part of it; what that looks like, it’s too early to tell. We're very interested in it and want to be an integral part of it,” Bestine said. “We have to go back and talk to our congregation and see to what extent, whether it's space, money, in what way we would, but we definitely want to be a part of it.”

They know there’s a need for a warming center, she said, from watching their blessing box with free food in front of the East Main Street church quickly empty out continuously, and people in need use the church thrift store.

“So that we recognize there's definitely a need in this community,” she said. “Where we fit in, we'll have to talk about it and pray on it, but we want to be part of it.”  

Genesee County legislators gave recognition to veterans this week by officially proclaiming the yearly Operation Green Light as an opportunity for individuals, businesses and the county itself to demonstrate "respect, admiration and the utmost gratitude for all of the men and women who have selflessly served their country and this community in the armed forces."

As you may have noticed, the Old County Courthouse has been lit up in green as tribute to military veterans, who are traditionally honored on Veterans Day, and also throughout the week with Operation Green Light to also serve as a visual token of gratitude and nod of thanks for the contributions and sacrifices made by the men and women who served and are serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

The county Legislature annually commemorates this national event with a proclamation, issued during its meeting Wednesday, for all veterans, including the approximately 200,000 service members that transition to civilian communities each year, and those that continue to serve in the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and church and civil service groups. 

Publicly acknowledging these veterans is a signal that "Genesee County appreciates the sacrifices our United States Military Personnel made while defending freedom" and is "specific recognition in appreciation of their service and to demonstrate the honor and support they have earned."

Press Release:

United Lakes of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes provided $41,075 to Genesee County nonprofits this quarter, the latest installment in United Way’s commitment to deliver $164,300 in 2024. The funding supports 21 agencies and 26 programs in the county.

“We are pleased to be able to support our dedicated nonprofit partners in Genesee County who are on the front lines in addressing a wide range of pressing community needs,” said Jaime Saunders, President & CEO of United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes. “This is an example of how United Way leverages the generosity of donors to deliver impact at scale.”

United Way is committed to supporting impactful and essential initiatives in Genesee County and across our region. Learn more about how you can make an impact in Genesee County by donating to United Way.  

Here are the organizations in Genesee County that are receiving funding from United Way this year:

• 211 WNY  
• All Babies Cherished  
• American Red Cross, WNY Chapter  
• Arc GLOW  
• Boy Scouts of America, Western NY Scout Council  
• Care-A-Van Ministries 
• Community Action of Orleans & Genesee, Inc.  
• CORE The Learning Center  
• Genesee County CASA for Children  
• Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern  
• Gillam-Grant Community Center  
• Girl Scouts of Western New York, Inc.  
• GLOW YMCA  
• GO ART! – Genesee-Orleans Regional Art Council  
• Hope Center of Le Roy  
• Junior Achievement of Western NY  
• PathStone Corporation  
• Salvation Army, Batavia Corps  
• UConnect Formerly Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse  
• Warrior House  
• YWCA of Genesee County 

Sometimes, it’s the unspoken words that take center stage during something like a public budget hearing.

And the silence of no one who signed up to speak after Genesee County Manager Matt Landers presented his proposed nearly $1.9 million budget for 2025 indeed said something to Legislative Chairwoman Shelley Stein.

“The silence is meaningful because, as everyone is aware, all of our local government leadership is aware that sales tax revenue is down, and we aren't going to even make what we have budgeted for this year. And that was the pot of money that we had that was available to share,” Stein said after the hearing Wednesday at the Old County Courthouse. “But something that we do do is we make available to each community the opportunity to have the county pay for and provide a grant writer. So our communities are taking advantage of that, and you will see some of the recent wins that we've had in those communities. So, you know, a little bit of seed money that brings other people's money into the county has greater value than what we could do by giving an extra dollar of revenue distribution.”

In the last couple of years, at least one or two town supervisors have asked if the county could loosen the purse strings and allow more sales tax to be shared amongst the municipalities. During his talk, Landers explained that a lack of sales tax was a major challenge in creating this coming year’s budget.

So, as it stands, the proposed plan is a 3.4% increase, or $6,264,607, from this current year’s adopted budget. Reasons for the increase include a $1.9 million increase in preschool supportive health services program costs, $1.5 million in state retirement system cost increases, $727,000 increase in medical expenses, and $200,000 more in the 730 court-ordered competency evaluation costs, he said. 

“We were able to hold the line for a couple of years, but just the second year in a row where we have sweeping cost increases on the medical side. This chart basically shows you know there's, we believe, no end in sight for mandate relief,” he said. “Over 95% of our property tax money goes directly to New York state-mandated costs. It'll be something that we continue to watch in the future. One of the fears we have is when the New York State Budget starts to go when it starts to become more challenging, and they do show how the reports that we get from NYSAC (New York State Association of Counties) indicate years of pledge deficits. There's always a fear that that just basically ends up resulting in a mandate push down to the counties. So when we're already at over 95% of our tax levy already on mandated services, there isn't much room to grow.”

With a shiny new $70 million county jail, that comes with $3.8 debt service payments in the general fund, plus operational, utility and contracted medical cost increases for the facility, he said.  

“At this point, water expenditures continue to be funded with water revenues. But there is a looming $150 million Phase 3 of the water system that has us turning over every stone to try to minimize future general funding,” he said.

He has recommended using a property tax levy of $33,630,739 toward the budget, an increase of $908,362, or 2.78%, from this year. Due to increased property assessments, he said, the tax rate will decrease by 51 cents per $1,000 assessed value, lowering the current rate of $8.08 to $7.57 per $1,000 assessed value.

If the county Legislature adopts this budget, it would mean an annual bill of $757 for a property assessed at $100,000, versus this year's tab of $808, for a decrease of $51 if a homeowner has not had a property assessment increase.

However, if a home's value went up from $100,000 to $125,000, it would mean that a home that cost $808 yearly would now cost $946.25, for an overall yearly increase of $138.25 due to that increased assessment. 

Landers wants to offset expenses by $2.5 million out of the county’s fund balance and $639,653 out of the Medical Reserve Fund. The budget would include $1 million for infrastructure spending on large span culverts; one full-time public works project manager and a part-time program assistant for the county park; 10 full-time corrections officers for the new county jail; and one each part-time financial clerk typist and discovery clerk for the Sheriff’s Office.

Infrastructure investments also include $4 million in capital projects for airport upgrades, building maintenance, information technology upgrades, Sheriff’s Office equipment upgrades — tasers, body cameras and guns — highway equipment replacement. 

Annual payments of more than $500,000, per previously signed contracts, are also included for Mercy Flight and Le Roy Ambulance to provide dedicated ambulance service to the county, he said. 

Listing three pages of budget challenges, Landers reviewed the rising employee retirement and medical costs, unfunded mandate increases, which include assigned counsel and 730 mental health restorative costs, and reduced sales tax — the first time since 2000 that sales tax revenues have declined year over year and falling under budget for 2024, he said.

The legal system is costing the county quite a chunk of money, to the tune of that extra $200,000 for the 730 mental health court and an additional $123,530 for assigned counsel costs, for a total spending of more than $1.8 million.

What is the 730 mental health court?
When a criminal suspect with mental health issues enters the justice system following an arrest, that defendant has a constitutional right to understand the proceedings, whether the defendant eventually ends up accepting a plea offer or facing trial.

In New York, that right is also protected by statute in Article 730 of the Criminal Procedure Law. The purpose of Article 730 is to ensure that a defendant is able to understand the charges against him or her and participate in his or her own defense.

Officials in Genesee County have wanted to see the law changed because it is outdated and getting increasingly more expensive with less efficiency than more contemporary options for dealing with a defendant's mental health capacity.

What is assigned counsel, and why are costs going up?
Assigned counsel costs "have been increasing drastically," primarily due to the state increasing the pay for assigned counsel attorneys from an hourly rate between $60 and 75 (depending on whether the offense was a misdemeanor or felony) to $158 an hour, more than doubling the cost of representation, Landers said. 

“This is for people that both meet the financial criteria for publicly paid for representation and have a conflict that prevents representation by the Public Defender’s Office,” he said. “In 2022, the county spent $624,336 between Criminal Court and Family Court assigned counsel.  In 2025, that budgeted figure has increased to $1,828,800.”

He thanked staff and department heads for the “team effort” to deliver an on-time budget that falls under the tax cap.

“I’m very happy that the legislature provided clear guidance. I feel like any time that I could reach out and communicate issues, this was my toughest budget because I didn't have a sales tax to help offset us … I felt like it was a team effort that department heads worked with me, delaying, pushing out costs in future years, if possible,” Landers said. “At this point, the budget is in the hands of the Legislature. Future budget meetings will be held to arrive at a consensus with the Legislature and make changes as recommended to manage the budgets. I hope for full adoption at the November 25 meeting, and feedback and input from the community is always welcome.”

Since the budget was just turned over to legislators, they would be reviewing and discussing it, Stein said, however, “when you have 98% of your tax levy as mandated services, it is really hard.”

“There’s almost nothing left to cut, and those things that we would cut are the highly valued quality-of-life issues such as our county park, such as our participation with our outside agencies of GO ART!, Cornell Cooperative Extension, our Workforce Development folks; those are not meaningful cuts, and so we appreciate the value that we can bring to our community through those, but also through our partners in our town, in our villages, in our city, where we offer them opportunities to participate with us, and they take advantage of that,” she said. “So we are happy to be a good partner, and we look for good partnerships because shared services is the only way that we’re going to get through what we have ahead of us today.”

For the full proposed 2025 budget, go HERE. 

Ryan Duffy was all about the numbers while discussing his annual report with legislators during Genesee County’s Human Services meeting this week.

The Holland Land Office Museum executive director talked about 287, the current membership, and how the museum is just 13 shy of the goal to reach 300 by year’s end; the $43,000 he was able to obtain through grant funds; $5,000 made from Wonderland of Trees; more than 200 videos, 15,000 views and 250 subscribers on the museum’s Artifact Video Series on YouTube; and a collection of nearly 22,000 objects.

“And in March, we were awarded the 2023 special recognition award by the Chamber of Commerce. So celebrating our 130th year as a museum, we got a little recognition for it,” Duffy said. “We were very proud of that, and I'm really just proud of the steps we've been able to take, and building off the growth of 2023, especially since we brought (curator Tyler Angora) on in June, we've just been taking more and more steps, and the goal is to keep building on that as we go forward.”

He broke down those accomplishments a little further: The museum has grown its visitorship “by a few more hundred people compared to where we were last year,” with two of the museum’s busiest months yet to go. 

“So we're going to be even further ahead by the end of the year. Our YouTube channel has grown exponentially, over 10,000 views in the past year, which is up a few thousand from the year before,” he said. “Our membership is up another 45 from where we ended last year. And again, we still have two months to go. So our goal of 300 is very much in reach. We're at 287 now. So again, growing in that respect, our outreach has grown significantly, not just the YouTube channel, but we've started recording our other programs, which has brought in even more views, and getting people into the museum by showing them something maybe they wouldn't expect, and they come to the museum to check out what else we have.” 

He has written columns for local news outlets, including The Batavian, and has worked with historians and several groups, including the Museum Association of New York, and local school groups, Richmond Memorial Library, Lancaster Historical Society, Attica Senior Citizens, Elba Grange, Alexander Happy Agers, Indian Falls Seniors, Batavia Lions and Rotary clubs and Office for the Aging’s RSVP program, he said.

“We’re getting more notice with that, and our outreach. Just in this past month I’ve done presentations in five counties of Western New York, so our name’s getting out there, and people are interested in what we have to say on a bunch of different topics. So we’re very happy about that,” he said. “On some of our other major achievements, we’ve brought in or been awarded $43,000 in grants this year, which is a significant jump from years in the past. And the money reimbursed to our grant writer, Sarah, has been a major factor in that we’ve gotten money to go towards our addition project, as well as some collections grants, some program grants, so it’s also been going to a lot of different areas to help us improve, and we’ve been continuing our connections with other institutions that we’ve done in the past, those have all increased significantly in terms of number of hours.”

Last year’s Wonderland of Trees exhibit was the biggest ever, he said, drawing more than 500 people and making more than $5,000 from admission. 

“So there’s a major fundraiser. We’re starting to decorate now for this year’s, which we are expecting to even be bigger and better than last year, so we’re really looking forward to that,” Duffy said. “Our guest speaker program has really jumped off. We’re now doing sometimes three or four guest speakers or similar programs in a month, not to mention adding some other programming.”

Monthly staff presentations to share a particular passion, robust gift shop sales, business sponsorships and steady progress on the West Wing entrance — in the design phase — are other things happening at the West Main Street museum, he said.  

Challenges in the last two years have included continued development of plans for the proposed wing addition to the western side of the museum adjacent to the parking lot, which includes fundraising and potential grant opportunities to cover that high cost; researching and learning new technology of new virtual programming; a reimagining of exhibit spaces, continued organization of collections and related storage areas; expansion of public programming and fundraising events and both growing and diversifying the audience base, he said.

When asked about the biggest challenge of the museum, Duffy first said it’s to continue all of his action steps, adding that the priority is “to get people in the museum and to get people to notice us.”

“And that's probably still our biggest challenge. We're trying to kind of get past people's past impressions of us. Still, I think we've made some significant steps, but people still kind of think of us as what we were sometimes 50 years ago. But I think people are starting to see a lot of change, a lot of new things coming through, and that's really making people more interested in what's going on on a more regular basis,” he said. “Because before it was, ‘Oh, I was there five years ago, I don't need to come anymore.’ And now I tell people, ‘if you haven't been here in six months, you've missed out on a lot.’ So it's just continuing to get that point across, and to get people interested and excited about what we're doing, because we're excited about what we're doing, and we're trying to diversify the programming, the exhibits, even the items in the gift shop, as best we can, to get people to take notice of us and say, ‘I haven't been there in a while. I need to check it out.’”

Tuesday began early for Democratic Election Commissioner Lorie Longhany, who got up around 3 a.m. in anticipation of a busy Election Day, she says.

Longhany monitored the voting process and supervised 60 election workers throughout Genesee County. At just a few minutes before midnight, votes were still being tallied as exhausted workers looked forward to the end.

“For us, we’re very glad it is almost over,” Longhany said at 11:50 p.m. “Our staff worked very hard, especially the last month preparing for early voting and immediately rolling into Election Day.”

Presidential elections always draw the most people out to the polls, officials have said, and numbers have backed up that belief with early voting and on Election Day for candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.

For nine days preceding the big day, there was early voting, which brought in a total of 7,233 people to cast their votes for local and national races. The first day of early voting drew a record-breaking number of 1,143 people to the ARC in Batavia, she said, and there were more than 22,000 votes cast on Election Day in Genesee County. There are 37,670 active registered voters in Genesee County, putting voter turnout at 77.6%

True to this county's deep Republican roots, the numbers panned out accordingly for the presidential, congressional, and Byron clerk and town council races.

Joseph Graff was the lone candidate running for Genesee County Sheriff on the Republican and Conservative tickets and is the Sheriff-elect to fill a vacancy left by Sheriff William Sheron, who will be retiring from the position at the end of this year. Graff received 22,300 votes, and there were 91 write-ins. 

Kevin Andrews, who ran unopposed on the Republican and Conservative lines to fill the spot left by former treasurer Scott German, who is also retiring at year's end, will be the Genesee County treasurer. Andrews received 21,939 votes, and there were 59 write-ins. 

German will take up a new role in January as the Republican election commissioner to fill a gap left by the retiring Richard Siebert. However, this was an appointed position by the county Legislature and not on the ballot.

David Wagenhauser, a Democratic challenger to incumbent Republican Congresswoman Claudia Tenney for the NY-24 territory, lost by a vote of 7,531 to 18,921.

Donald Trump came out ahead of Kamala Harris for president of the United States with double the votes, 18,580 to 9,098, and 241 write-in votes. 

Despite the high number of people processed, everything went well, from setup to the final day for voting, Longhany said. Voters were pleasant, and poll workers and techs did “an outstanding job.”

She said there were no issues with voters on Tuesday, and all poll sites had steady traffic throughout the day. They kept coming to cast their decisions right up to closing time at 9 p.m. Final, unofficial numbers were posted online at the Board of Elections by 2 a.m.

Lagging sales tax growth was the biggest challenge in drafting a proposed Genesee County budget, Matt Landers says. For 2025, the budget has tacked on $6.2 million more from this year’s total to accommodate several cost increases.

The county manager has carved out a budget of $189,249,435, which includes a tax rate of $7.57 — a 51-cent decrease from the current rate of $8.08 due to increased property assessments, he said this week.

“Large drivers of the increased budget were New York State retirement increases, health care cost increases, jail operating cost increases, preschool supportive health services program cost increases, assigned counsel cost increases, just to name some,” he said Monday to The Batavian. 

A budget presentation will be held at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Courthouse Chambers of the Old County Courthouse, 7 Main St., Batavia. 

The budget increase is 3.4% more than from the 2024 adopted budget due to those increases and a lack of sales tax growth “to help offset the various cost increases,” Landers said.

If this budget is adopted by the county Legislature, it would mean an annual bill of $757 for a property assessed at $100,000, versus this year's tab of $808, for a decrease of $51 if a homeowner has not had a property assessment increase.

However, if a home's value went up from $100,000 to $125,000, it would mean that home that cost a yearly $808 would now cost $946.25, for an overall yearly increase of $138.25 due to that increased assessment. 

A brand new $70 million county jail on Route 5 has meant a debt service for several years to come, and those payments began in 2023. However, there are other considerations to go along with the larger size and responsibilities of the facility, Landers said. 

“The proposed budget has ten new correction officer positions created for the new county jail,” he said. “The medical costs at the jail are increasing due to the utilization of an additional contracted nurse in the 2025 budget.”

Which department raised the most concern in terms of cost?
“Jail, preschool supportive health services cost increases in which the county Public Health Department oversees, assigned counsel cost increases and 730 mental health restoration costs are all areas that continue to be closely monitored,” he said.

As an example of the increases, preschool program costs have gone from the 2024 budget of $2.7 million to the proposed 2025 budget of $4.6 million due to the program's rising demands and related costs of transportation, personnel, and benefits.

During his annual report to the Legislature in February, Public Health Director Paul Pettit discussed how transportation, in particular, was driving up pre-school costs, projecting a tab of nearly $1 million for busing alone in 2024.

Transportation and center program costs have been rising as an "underfunded mandate," Pettit had said.

“One of the drivers that’s really expensive is that more kids get referred.  You probably saw on the governor's proposal she's proposing a 5 percent rate increase across the board. And then there's a 4 percent rider for rural counties, which we would fall under that bucket. So that'd be a 9 percent rate increase for early intervention,” he said. “And this is one of those programs that, again, we don't have a lot of control over the services that are provided.” 

Landers has earmarked $1.14 million for preschool transportation in 2025. Mental health court is slated for an extra $200,000 in 2025, for a total of $500,000.

How is the water project fitting in -- debt service, the planning for work to be done this next year? 
“Besides the annual $515,000 General Fund contribution to water from sales tax, which has been taking place for 20+ years, all operations of the water fund continue to be paid for out of operating revenues of the water fund,” he said. “Planning continues for Phase 3 of the water system.”

Circumstances may not have been perfect, but Landers is pleased with what he plans to present on Wednesday, he said.

“I am happy with the efforts made by my department heads and staff to deliver responsible budget requests that meet the demands of the community while providing quality service and do so in an efficient manner,” he said. “I would say the reduction in sales tax is a challenge that doesn’t present itself very often, which makes this budget a little more unique.” 

The Legislature will meet on Nov. 13 to discuss the budget and include any public feedback to make further recommendations if necessary. The Ways & Means Committee will then review the budget and refer it to the full Legislature for vote. A vote to adopt the budget is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Nov. 25 in Courthouse Chambers. 

It's become quite the tradition in Genesee County government departments -- staff members coordinate a theme for Halloween, with each department competing for the best costumes of the day.

We have no word on who won but here are pictures of a few of the departments that joined in this year.

Press Release:

Genesee County law enforcement officers are joining forces with the Genesee County STOP-DWI program and agencies across New York State to participate in special efforts to stop impaired driving, prevent injuries, and save lives. This coordinated effort is conducted to bring awareness to the dangers of impaired driving.

The statewide STOP-DWI High Visibility Engagement Campaign runs from Thursday, October 31 until Sunday, November 3.

The Halloween High Visibility Engagement Campaign is one of many statewide initiatives promoted by STOP-DWI NY and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee. Highly visible, highly publicized efforts like the STOP-DWI High Visibility Engagement Campaign aim to further reduce the incidence of drunk and impaired driving.

Choices impact lives – impaired driving leads to a dead end.

Press Release:

The Rotary Club of Batavia has contributed $7,635 in disaster relief to aid persons impacted by the recent hurricanes in the southeast portion of the country. 

The total donation was fueled by a $5,000 contribution from members of the Batavia Rotary Club. The remainder was raised over a five-day period from members of the Batavia and Genesee County Community.

Batavia Rotary Club President Michael Hodgins explained that the original appeal provided for a Rotary Club “match” of community donations up to $5,000. 

“Given the tight time frame, Batavia Rotarians decided to contribute the full $5,000 to go along with more than $2,600 from the community at large,” said Hodgins.

The local funds were sent to the Rotary International Zone 33/34 Foundation. This foundation was established to provide disaster relief in hurricane prone areas. These two zones encompass 10 states in the U.S. and 29 countries across the Caribbean. 

Hurricane Milton made landfall on 9 October in Florida as a powerful Category 3 storm. Mere weeks before, Hurricane Helene battered areas in and around the Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico, and parts of the United States’ Eastern Seaboard.

Storm surges and heavy rains produced extreme flooding throughout the region. More than 250 people have died in the U.S. states of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Press Release:

The Chamber’s Annual Awards Committee has announced the “2024” Annual Award Ceremony will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Batavia Downs Gaming, Park Road, Batavia. This is the County’s premier event that honors businesses and individuals for their achievements in business, community service, and volunteerism.

Please note that a brief write-up will qualify your nominee for consideration. Nominations are now being accepted for Business of the Year, Entrepreneurial Business of the Year, Agricultural Business of the Year, Innovative Enterprise of the Year, Special Service Recognition & Geneseeans of the Year. Business Nominees must be a Chamber Member (If unsure of your nominee, call the Chamber to verify).

Nomination forms are available at the Chamber of Commerce office, 8276 Park Road, Batavia, and can also be downloaded from the Chamber Website at www.geneseeny.com.

Nominations MUST BE RECEIVED BY December 13 to be eligible for consideration.

If you would like more information, feel free to call or email Kelly J. Bermingham, Director of Member Relations & Special Events at the Chamber office, 343-7440, ext. 1026, kbermingham@geneseeny.com.

After more than two years at the same job, Brittany Hausfelder still looks forward to it, from the camaraderie of her co-workers to the positive response of customers.

That’s not exactly what you might expect from a motor vehicles rep, given the atmospheres and reputations of those departments with long lines and staff with short tempers. 

“We have a great crew of employees here, and that stems down from the top line. So our bosses are great. And then we do have a good group here. We all get along. We all help each other so that just makes coming to work a lot easier. I have never woken up and said ‘Man, I don’t want to go to work today,’ and I think we’ve all had jobs where we’ve definitely felt like that, so I’ve loved it since I started,” Hausfelder said Friday at Genesee County’s Department of Motor Vehicles. “We do have people every day that come in from the public saying how great it is to come to our DMV versus big city ones, how they see a difference. We're so friendly. We really try to help. So I think just hearing that too makes you internally want to help more and do better because you see the results coming right in.”

And in the last six months, it has only gotten better, with dress-down Fridays in Buffalo Bills gear to benefit local charities, a special ring-the-bell incentive for teens who pass their written driving test, a whopping and slightly secretive enthusiasm to win big in this year's Halloween costume contest (fair warning to the county manager) and overall helpful attitudes from staff and management.

Bigger city DMVs seem to fit the mold of herding people through to get the job done, but that’s not the atmosphere at Genesee County’s DMV, and it’s a purposeful difference, Deputy County Clerk Debbie Underhill said.

“I think we’re one of few DMVs that answers their phone,” she said. “I’m a customer service person. I have been my whole life.  I want you to come in and be greeted and one stop. I don't want multiple trips, you know. I want to make your experience the best it can be in one stop, if at all possible. That doesn't always happen, but that's the goal.”

Underhill has been with the department for more than 20 years, holding the position of deputy clerk for the last four. When she does her staff training, she focuses on team bonding and the aspect of quality customer service, she said, adding that she’s willing to step out of her office and walk the walk.

“I’m out on the floor working right along with the girls and helping, assisting as needed,” she said. “I love helping people.”

Customers have responded favorably, with verbal compliments, online five-star ratings, treats from Tim Horton’s, flowers and thank you cards, she said. 

Not every 16-year-old takes them up on the offer to ring the bell after passing the written driving exam, but when one does, others in the office and lobby cheer and clap to make it a fun, memorable experience. A staff member came up with the idea of recognizing one of the regular occurrences in the DMV that previously went without so much as a whimper.

During his annual report presentation earlier this week, County Clerk Mike Cianfrini mentioned the department’s improved flow since being able to recruit and retain a full staff. His department had been down one or two employees in the Motor Vehicle and Records departments for at least the past year, he said.

“It was intermittent; someone would leave, or they weren’t working out, and we were without a full staff,” he said. 

He attributed the retention of staff for about the last six months to a pay raise as part of labor negotiations with the CSEA union. During the meeting, he thanked county legislators for approving that deal, acknowledging that it made the difference between hiring and keeping people.

“The staff has said it; we're now able to actually hire people and keep them,” he said. “They don't come in, work for six months, and then say, fine, I can make $3 an hour more working somewhere else and leave. So thank you all.”

In turn, Legislative Chair Shelley Stein praised his work and department, as “the change has been amazing,” she said, and “your staff is welcoming, friendly, ready to greet people. It is a reflection of leadership.”

Cianfrini did refer to the occasional need for the department’s security guard, which was for “nothing violent,” but to address a couple of issues when a customer was yelling or swearing about an issue.

“They can just walk in and tell them enough, and it not be me or Deb,” he said. “So that’s been a huge help.”

During a walk-through of the DMV on Friday, Cianfrini nodded to staff members wearing the signature red, white and blue Bills garb. They pitch in donations to wear the gear on Fridays, and the collection goes to a local charity. So far, it has supported Genesee Cancer Assistance, Genesee County Animal Shelter, Crossroads House, and others, Underhill said.

The shift in focus has been on that customer service component, including when prospective employees interview, Cianfrini said. 

“And that's one of the things that we do really stress when we're doing the interview, is we try to focus on finding people that we think have not just the knowledge to be successful, but also the personality to put the image out there that we want: friendly, welcoming, that's what we're really looking for when we do the interviews,” he said, answering if any services have been added.  “The services are the same; it’s just the manner in which we provide them.” 

Speaking of services, there has been a “big development” in the DMV for revenue sharing with New York State, he said. Previously the county would receive 12.7% of transactions processed in person and nothing if done online, which has now been changed so that the county receives an across the board 10.75% for all transactions. 

Vehicle use tax revenue is projected to be approximately $410,000 for the year, which is an increase of $25,000 from 2023, he said. 

On the declining end, local mortgage tax is expected to decrease, going from $481,000 in 2023 to $425,000 this year, “given the significant increase in interest rates and declining housing market,” Cianfrini said in his report. He is uncertain as to what 2025 will bring for mortgage tax since it will be the first of an election year, so his department is estimating it to be about $450,000.

Press Release:

At the recent meeting of Genesee County Pomona Grange, FFA Chapter advisors and officers from area schools in Genesee County were present. Each presented the program offered in their respective school district.

Jeff Parnapy teaches Agriculture and Home Economics at Byron-Bergen. Forty-five students are members of the High School FFA Chapter. Many of the students will be competing at the upcoming National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, IN late October. 

The Ag Mechanics Team placed first in NYS, the Poultry Evaluation Team placed second in NYS and sixth place at the Big E, the Horticulture/Vegetable ID Team placed first in NYS, and Taylor Lundfelt placed sixth in the Individual category. Byron-Bergen will be well represented at the National competition. The Columbus Day Apple Cider Sale, the Spring Strawberry Sale, and the Career Speaking Contest are annual events at Byron-Bergen. 

Tracey Dahlhaus is in her sixth year at Elba teaching Agriculture to Middle & HS students. Fifty students belong to the FFA chapter. Elementary Ag classes are taught by the STEM teacher. Two years ago, Elba’s Dairy Judging Team competed at National. This year Maggie Winspear will compete in the National Prepared Speech competition as the NYS first place winner. Her topic was researched and her speech on “Reintroducing Whole Milk into the School Lunch Program” was presented to those present. Elba students participate in the Ag Explore Program each year. Bing Zuber and Maggie Winspear represented the Elba chapter. 

Todd Hofheins, Agriculture teacher and FFA Oakfield-Alabama advisor attended with students, Eli Williams & Amora Mabon to talk about their program. A very busy chapter at Oakfield-Alabama has seen its membership double to 100 students. There is a barn on the school property that houses steers and pigs, cared for by the students. Last year, 1,200 students attended Glow with Your
Hands to see O-A students present the NYS Maple Program. This past summer, the Welding Contest was held at the Genesee County Fair under the leadership of Todd Hofheins and his Oakfield-Alabama chapter. A second Agriculture teacher has joined Oakfield-Alabama this year, teaching Grades 6-8.

Pavilion FFA will share its program on November 4 at its monthly Board of Education meeting. Kylie DeBerardinis is the Pavilion FFA advisor. 

Each of the chapters received a $600 check from Genesee County Pomona Grange to further their program. We are certainly PROUD of these FUTURE FARMERS and wish them well at the 2024 National FFA Convention.

If interested in joining FFA, contact your school advisor or officers. If interested in joining the Grange, contact Joan Phelps at 585-762-8503.

In a continuing effort to put more time and distance between the Advanced Clean Trucks Rule coming to fruition here in Genesee County and in New York State, Public Works Commissioner Tim Hens asked members of the Legislature to send a resolution listing the issues for Gov. Kathy Hochul’s consideration.

Hens said the Advanced Clean Trucks Rule (ACT), a measure that originated in California, while noble in its effort to combat climate change, hasn't addressed issues such as what winter-laden Western New Yorkers must deal with.

“Our state association for county highway superintendents has asked commissioners and superintendents across the state to basically ask their legislature or board of supervisors to pass resolutions more or less, seeing there's going to be major impacts with the new advanced clean trucks across the state, especially relative to emergency vehicles and snow plows having to be electrified,” he said during the Public Service meeting. “So this resolution goes through all the things that we talked about previously in my department, update the cost of the vehicles, being able to charge them, the number of vehicles we'd have to have, the inability of the cost, and the inability to get any revenue when you sell them because of the battery life. 

“There's a whole litany of things that have yet to be figured out to make this new act something that's even tenable and capable for towns and counties to react to throughout the state,” he said. “So, it's really a utopian pipe dream that at this point in time, with the technology we have in place, cannot even come close to half.”

The bottom line is that battery technology does not exist to make a heavy-duty fleet — such as municipal snow plows — anywhere near as effective as the current diesel fleet, he said. 

“To fight a snowstorm, we would need three times as many trucks, a facility that can house and charge these trucks, and enough power in the grid to make charging a possibility,” he said. “The trucks are twice as expensive, 20,000 pounds heavier, have only a 10-year life, and no resale as the cost of new batteries will exceed the cost of the truck,” Hens said. “None of it makes sense. We’re hopeful that if enough counties and towns in New York make some noise, that maybe the lawmakers in Albany will understand that electrification in this instance doesn’t work.”

Legislator Gary Maha wondered why this Act was modeled after a state out west in the first place.

“I can't understand why New York State has adopted anything out of California State,” he said. “How ridiculous it is? Did they take into consideration that California's a different area than New York State? They don't get the snow or freezing rain and ice or anything else.”

Northern California does have mountains with colder temps, Hens said, though he isn’t certain how those areas are complying with the regulations.

“It’s just crazy. It’s to the point where truck manufacturers are talking about not selling vehicles in New York. And there’s large trucking companies … they’re talking about registering all their vehicles in other states, buying them all in other states, and then just operating them in New York with out-of-state plates, so it’s just crazy.”

The resolution states:

WHEREAS, in 2019, the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) was signed into law to require New York to reduce economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030 and no less than 85 percent by 2050 from 1990 levels, and

WHEREAS, the CLCPA directs the development of performance-based standards for sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions including for the transportation sector by reducing GHG emissions from motor vehicles, and

 WHEREAS, New York State adopted California's Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) Rule in December 2021 that requires applicable medium and heavy-duty (M/HD) vehicle manufacturers to sell a percentage of their total sales in New York as zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) starting in model year 2025 with increasing ZEV sales through model year 2035, and

WHEREAS, the cost of transitioning the state and local highway departments’ utility and construction vehicles, snowplows and equipment to run on battery power as mandated by ACT and other state strategies is at this juncture incalculable, but expected to exceed the ability to be financed without substantial sources of new revenues directed strictly for the retrofit or procurement of such ZEVs and equipment, and

WHEREAS, as commercial production of M/HD large-scale, electric construction vehicles is today a nascent industry, the ability of local highway departments to plan for this transition, with its concomitant mandates that fuel and electricity charging sources be carbon-free, is of tremendous concern considering that the transportation system at all levels of New York government is significantly underfunded, and

WHEREAS, while ACT regulations do not require M/HD fleets, owners, operators, or dealerships to purchase ZEVs, the sales mandates on vehicle manufacturers are expected to lead to shortages in supply of not only complying electric vehicles but of traditional gasoline and diesel vehicles as well, and

WHEREAS, alarmingly, some M/HD vehicle dealerships have notified highway departments that, due to manufacturers’ need to plan for the sales mandates adopted by New York and some other states, many orders for trucks are being delayed or canceled, and

WHEREAS, notably, Maine, North Carolina and Connecticut among other states recently stepped back from adopting ACT regulations citing concerns over the availability of heavy-duty vehicle charging stations and the high cost of zero-emission trucks, and

WHEREAS, in July 2024, the New York State Comptroller released an audit on the State’s progress in meeting Climate Act goals and noted several deficiencies including the need to increase communication with stakeholders and provide more accurate cost estimates. The audit goes on to add that the lack of cost estimates jeopardizes the chances of success in meeting climate goals. The comptroller urges the state to clarify for key stakeholders, especially energy ratepayers, the extent to which ratepayers will be responsible for Climate Act implementation costs, and

WHEREAS, New York’s climate goals must be implemented in a way that is affordable while assuring adequate supplies of these specialized vehicles and functional highway construction equipment that meet state specifications, estimated to increase the cost of a new truck by about one-third, and

WHEREAS, the rush to introduce electric vehicles in New York can be counterproductive to the environment as the bulk of the power generation used to charge new vehicle batteries is produced by fossil fuels, and is a reason to move more slowly to sync with the pace of the transition to a zero-emission electric grid by 2040, and

WHEREAS, recognizing these potential impacts on the ability of local governments to continue to deliver necessary transportation services and facilities to the traveling public it is vital that state elected representatives and agencies assist county highway departments in developing strategies, funding sources and realistic timelines for achieving these aggressive GHG emissions reduction goals in the face of market and fiscal barriers to the transition, and

WHEREAS, all levels of government need to work together throughout the regulatory process to assure strategies and mandates put in place to meet the CLCPA goals for the transportation sector are realistic and achievable and will benefit the environment. Now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, that Genesee County of New York State calls on the Governor, the NYS Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), NYSERDA, PSC, Commissioners and legislative leaders to commit to providing support for addressing these concerns in the regulatory and implementation process and to dedicate the funding necessary to fully cover the counties’ costs of complying with the state mandates under the CLCPA, Be it further

RESOLVED, that the Governor consider a pause or suspension of the implementation of ACT until there is strong evidence that the state has in place the necessary direct financial assistance and incentives and charging infrastructure necessary, and can definitively determine that vehicle manufacturers are prepared to effectively supply the New York market without disruption to the critical work needed to maintain the state’s vast and aging infrastructure, Be it Further

RESOLVED, that the state recognize that highway construction, maintenance vehicles, and equipment are critical to governments’ mission to maintain a safe and functional transportation system by designating these municipally owned vehicle and equipment as a category among “transit buses, motor coaches, and emergency vehicles,” and thus exempt from ACT regulation, Be it further

RESOLVED, that Genesee County shall forward copies of this resolution to Governor Kathy Hochul, the New York State Legislature; and the commissioners of NYSDOT, NYSDEC, NYSERDA, PSC and all others deemed necessary and proper.

Hens is not sure about the overall long-term effects of these more recent appeals from organizations and politicians to slow or halt the Act’s progress. 

“But in the short term, it seems we’ve gotten some response, as NYS Department of Environmental Conservation has reached out to municipalities and stated they will not enforce the new truck rules for emergency equipment for two years,” he said. “This is a start but a long way from full relief.”

Legislators agreed to sign and send the resolution to Albany.

For previous article about what the Clean Truck Act could mean for municipalities, go to Looming ev truck regulations to bring financial, logistical concerns

Matt Landers wasn’t quite ready to go on record with an official comment about a nearly $15 million settlement of two opioid-related lawsuits, but both cases will mean some money for Genesee County, he said.

Landers was hesitant to count those proverbial chickens before finding out exactly how much the county would be receiving as part of a national class action lawsuit against each, the national Big Box retailer Target and Henry Schein, a worldwide distributor of medical and dental supplies, including vaccines, pharmaceuticals, financial services and equipment. 

During Wednesday’s Ways & Means Committee meeting, county Attorney Mark Boylan briefed the group that both cases had been settled and that the county would receive a portion of the $900,000 settlement from Henry Schein and $14 million from Target.

“So this was part of the class action suit. I think every county in New York State is involved, as well as municipalities, towns, and villages,” Boylan told The Batavian, answering about a potential timeline for payment. “I would expect all the agreements have to be executed by all the municipalities before those wheels start to turn and checks are issued, so I would say probably in the next six or eight months.”

Genesee County is one of 62 counties in New York State likely to be sharing in that pot of $14,900,000.

The lawsuit alleged several causes of action against distribution defendants Target and Henry Schein based on claims that each company contributed to the opioid epidemic by failing to comply with their obligations under the Federal Controlled Substances Act and the New York Controlled Substance Act in order to implement adequate measures to prevent diversion of the prescription opioids that they distributed to pharmacies, all of which contributed to a public health crisis in the County of Genesee.

Dining and dancing highlighted Thursday evening's celebration of the Genesee County Office for the Aging at Batavia Downs.

The agency was celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Founded on June 1, 1974, the agency's mission is to promote the independence of seniors and improve their quality of life by offering services and providing information, support, and advocacy for those 60 and older.

Currently, the office employs 33 people and receives support from numerous volunteers.

The primary funding for the agency is a federal program authorized by the Older Americans Act.

Photos by Howard Owens

Students from school districts in Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, and Wyoming Counties engage with employers throughout the event, exploring careers that could unveil new opportunities they may not have previously considered.

Over 70 businesses provided hands-on activities and simulations in the advanced manufacturing, agriculture, food production, skilled trades sectors as well as the various branches of the military. Students learned about career opportunities in their own backyard that offer good-paying opportunities immediately after high school graduation, as well as accelerated training programs available in the region.

 “We have seen GLOW With Your Hands participants grow into successful professionals, and businesses that participate in our manufacturing and healthcare event grow their next generation. Having over 1,000 students and a record number of employers at our event reaffirms that there is a significant need for these connections and a significant benefit created at our events,” added GLOW With Your Hands, Co-Chair Karyn Winters.

Led by Platinum Sponsors LandPro Equipment, National Grid, and newcomer Davis-Fetch, many businesses have participated in every GLOW With Your Hands since 2019, including representatives of the advanced manufacturing, agriculture, food and beverage manufacturing, and construction trades.

Davis-Fetch specializes in commercial building construction services focusing on building interior spaces, walls, ceilings, and acoustical wall panels. This is the company’s inaugural GLOW With Your Hands event featuring a hands-on demonstration of installing drywall screws and using a drywall zip tool around electrical boxes. Davis-Fetch used this as an opportunity to engage with the next generation of workforce candidates in the GLOW region.

“Rather than setting up a booth and speaking with students, we were able to interact with the next generation of workforce candidates with a hands-on approach that was educational and informative of our work, " said Davis-Fetch President Frank Kittlinger. “After witnessing the engagement of over a thousand students today, we look forward to being a part of GLOW With Your Hands annually.”

After launching in 2019 with 800 students, GLOW With Your Hands has grown into the premier workforce development program in the region. Including GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare, a hands-on medical careers program held annually in March, more than 5,000 students have participated in GLOW With Your Hands events since 2019.

“Our goal is to provide local youth with family-sustaining career opportunities that lead to fulfilling lifestyles and positively impact local communities,” said GLOW With Your Hands Co-Chair Angela Grouse. “By getting hands-on and informational experiences, our students are taking the first step toward that goal.”

 Albion High School Senior Joseph Schoberlein said he was not aware of many of the careers present at GLOW With Your Hands before today and came away with an understanding of what opportunities are available to him after graduation this upcoming spring.

 “There are a number of jobs you learn about at GLOW With Your Hands that you do not experience in a traditional classroom setting, a lot of these careers do not require a college degree. I can enter the workforce immediately out of high school with a good-paying job without taking the college route,” stated Schoberlien.

Press Release:

On Tuesday, September 10 FEMA held a meeting at City Hall to review proposed flood zone updates, and present draft maps to City officials.

From the data FEMA collected, new flood zone maps were created for the City of Batavia. The draft maps include 147 structures (they include sheds as well as homes and businesses) and removes 282 structures from the current flood zone. In total, the City will have 1,052 structures in the new draft flood zone.

City officials have been asked to provide comments on the draft maps. The City will be conducting a detailed review of the proposed changes on behalf of City residents and businesses, but want to hear resident feedback.

Below is a link to view the updated flood zone map from FEMA. We are asking residents and business owners to review the map and contact us with comments you may have. 

Genesee County Planning is creating a list of affected properties so the City can help property owners identify if the new maps will affect them. 

Properties added should carefully review their elevations and future issues of flooding. Properties that will be removed from the flood plain will need to work with FEMA to certify removal and reduce their insurance.

The link below will allow you to view the updated flood zone maps. https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/3c7886e0e2bc43d9a7a9bbb1cda9bd81

If you have any questions or have comments on specific areas, please contact the City’s Flood Plain Manager, Zach Alwardt, at 585-345-6326.