Report From the County Legislature
The County Legislature has just finished the 2009 County Budget which is in the amount of 1.17 billion dollars. The process started in mid September and I attended over 20 meetings regarding the budget and review of the various departments in county government.
As a result, property tax payers county wide will pay an average of $7.03 per thousand of assessed value, which represents a $.25 reduction from this year. This budget maintains our fund balance which is especially important in these tough economic times.
I’d like to thank the Onondaga County Board of Election Commissioners Helen Kiggins and Edward Ryan and the staff at the Board of Elections, who in a bipartisan fashion, responded to the many calls, including mine, that they’ve received regarding the location of Election District 4. Due to a handicap accessibility issue, the polling site was moved from Route 92 to Delphi Falls. This new location was inconvenient for many of the voters and a new site has been located at the Eastern Hills Baptist Church on Enders Road (behind Manlius True Value), which is a convenient and also handicap accessible location.
Recently the County has completed the renegotiation of the snowplow agreements between the various towns and the county. The new agreement raises the per mile reimbursement to $5,348.00 plus fuel adjustments at the end of season. The town of Pompey plows approximately 19.6 miles of county roads. This is a great example of a shared service between the county and towns and demonstrates that we can work together for the benefit all of our residents.
Recently, the Chairman of the Onondaga County Legislature Bill Meyer, has asked me to chair a Charter Commission which will review the Onondaga County Charter. The Charter is the governing document for our County and has not been updated or revised for many years. This will be a bipartisan commission which will look at ways to improve the Charter, especially taking into account the need for more modern and efficient forms of government.
Additionally, I was also appointed as chair of the Veteran’s Advisory Committee of the County Legislature and we are working on ways to bring additional benefits to our veterans. For example, we are in the process of enacting a local law which will waive civil service fees for veterans.
If you wish to contact me, my phone number is 683-5655 and my email address is rdemore@cnymail.com.
Hoping you and your family are enjoying the fall weather, I remain
Bob DeMore , your County Legislator