Yates County meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Yates County committees weigh SNAP cost shift, electric contract, capital plan

This week's Yates County committee meetings covered a range of proposals, including a possible delay of federal SNAP cost shifts, a new electric supply contract, and the county's five-year capital improvement plan. All meetings were agenda-only; minutes have not yet been published, so no items have been voted on.

Human Services Committee

The committee considered a resolution to request a two-year delay of federal SNAP administrative and benefit cost shifts, which would avoid an estimated $140,000 annual cost to Yates County. It also reviewed a proposed amendment to Resolution No. 441-25 for a contract with S2AY Rural Health Network, Inc. Public health updates included the first positive measles wastewater detection in the Village of Penn Yan. A free rabies clinic is scheduled for August 11 at the Yates County Highway Department. Separately, a $100,000 rental supplement plan was reported as fully committed in less than two months.

Public Works Committee

A four-year electric supply contract with Constellation Energy was reviewed for the Benton facility and Guyanoga Highway barn. The committee also considered a three-year professional services agreement with Vector Airport Systems, LLC for airport fee billing and collection, and a contract with Auctions International to sell surplus materials and equipment. The 2026-2027 Snow and Ice contracts with participating townships were on the agenda, along with a C&S consultant agreement for the Runway 1-19 REILS project, with a county cost of $1,600.

Government Operations

The committee will act on two contracts: one with ePlus Group, Inc. for Varonis Data Lifecycle Automation Software, and another with Integrated Health 21 for HealthyU Max Biometric Screening Services. It will also ratify a letter supporting the Village of Penn Yan's application for state Smart Growth Community Planning Program funds. An appointment of a Democratic Election Commissioner (Christensen) was listed.

Public Safety Committee

Two agreements were proposed: an intermunicipal agreement with Schuyler County to share a Code Enforcement Officer for 2027-2028 at an annual rate of $3,000, and a license agreement with TOTIB Media Inc. (dba FLX Local Media) for $365 annually plus $250 monthly (totaling $3,000 per year) for equipment and antennas. Reports noted the District Attorney's ADA position remains vacant, with the People v. Ronald Chilson trial beginning August 10, 2026. Probation reported 21 active community service cases and 189.5 hours completed for April-June 2026. The Sheriff's report cited 3 vacancies in Corrections and an uptick in DWI arrests.

Finance Committee

The committee reviewed a proposed one-year time extension for the ReConnect broadband project and the Capital Improvement Plan for Fiscal Years 2027-2031. An appointment of Chris Mays to the Yates County Planning Board was on the agenda. The body also considered appropriation of cannabis tax revenue and various state and federal aids. A report noted a $3,459,993 NYS Retirement bill due December 15th.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings were listed in the provided data for the next 14 days.

Yates County roundup: Planning Board approves six project referrals; jail session yields no decisions

The Yates County Planning Board approved six General Municipal Law 239 referrals at its July 23 meeting, including a gas station site plan in Penn Yan and a data center moratorium in Barrington, while a special Legislature session on the proposed jail project produced no substantive decisions.

Jail project: special session, no action

The Yates County Legislature held a special session on July 22 focused on the proposed new jail project. The meeting included public comments and a project manager update, but the official minutes record no approvals, denials, or other substantive decisions. A separate July 22 agenda listed a planned vote on convening an Executive Session to discuss confidential public-safety matters and a proposed real-property acquisition whose value could be affected by publicity; minutes for that item have not yet been published.

Planning Board approvals

The Planning Board reviewed and approved six GML 239 referrals on July 23:

• A 36"x72" sign at 675 Liberty Street, Penn Yan — no significant countywide impact.
• Crosby's Convenience Store and gas station at 134-138 Elm Street, Penn Yan — positive countywide impact.
• An 8x10 deck construction in the Town of Torrey — no significant countywide impact.
• A 9,000 sq ft business addition in the Town of Torrey — no significant countywide impact.
• Town of Barrington moratorium on data centers — positive countywide impact.
• Village of Dundee short-term rental regulations limiting facilities to 15 parcels — positive countywide impact.

The board also approved its June 25, 2026 meeting minutes by a vote of 8 in favor.

Coming up

Five county committees meet August 3–4 with several items of note for residents:

• **Government Operations Committee (Aug. 3):** Two contracts up for approval — Varonis Data Lifecycle Automation Software with ePlus Group, Inc. and HealthyU Max Biometric Screening Services with Integrated Health 21. The committee will also ratify a letter supporting Penn Yan's Smart Growth Community Planning Program application and consider appointing a Democratic Election Commissioner (Christensen).

• **Human Services Committee (Aug. 3):** A resolution requesting a two-year delay of federal SNAP cost shifts to avoid an estimated $140,000 annual cost to Yates County. The agenda also includes a report of the first positive measles wastewater detection in the Village of Penn Yan, a free rabies clinic scheduled for August 11 at the Yates County Highway Department, and a report that a $100,000 rental supplement plan was fully committed in less than two months.

• **Public Works Committee (Aug. 3):** A four-year electric supply contract with Constellation Energy for the Benton facility and Guyanoga Highway barn, a three-year airport fee billing agreement with Vector Airport Systems, LLC, surplus equipment auction contracts with Auctions International, 2026–2027 snow and ice contracts with participating townships, and a C&S consultant agreement for the Runway 1-19 REILS project with a $1,600 county cost.

• **Public Safety Committee (Aug. 4):** A proposed intermunicipal agreement with Schuyler County to share a Code Enforcement Officer for 2027–2028 at $3,000 annually, and a license agreement with TOTIB Media Inc. (dba FLX Local Media) for $365 annually plus $250 monthly ($3,000 annual). Reports note the ADA position remains vacant, the People v. Ronald Chilson trial begins August 10, 2026, and the Sheriff's office reports 3 corrections vacancies and an uptick in DWI arrests.

• **Finance Committee (Aug. 4):** Review of the 2027–2031 Capital Improvement Plan, a proposed one-year time extension for the ReConnect broadband project, appointment of Chris Mays to the Planning Board, appropriation of cannabis tax revenue and state/federal aids, and a report of a $3,459,993 NYS Retirement bill due December 15.

Yates County Legislature approves vote-by-mail grant contract; special session set for public safety facility update

The Yates County Legislature unanimously authorized a vote-by-mail grant contract worth $5,622.06 at its July 13 meeting, the largest dollar item decided in the past two weeks. The same session produced a second unanimous vote authorizing an electronic poll book contract for $134.61.

July 13 Regular Meeting

The Legislature approved the minutes from its June 8 meeting and approved payment of the audit, both by unanimous vote.

Two resolutions were adopted, each by unanimous vote:

• **Resolution 280-26**: Authorizes the chair to sign an electronic poll book contract for $134.61.
• **Resolution 281-26**: Authorizes the chair to sign a vote-by-mail grant contract for $5,622.06.

Both resolutions concern elections administration. The dollar figures are as stated in the official minutes; no additional details about the vendors or contract terms were included in the summary provided.

Resolution on Standard Work Day Reporting

Also on the July 13 agenda was Resolution RS 2417-A, which would establish standard work days and reporting requirements for elected and appointed officials to the New York State and Local Retirement System. The resolution calls for standard work days of six to eight hours per day, certification by the secretary or clerk, and a 30-day public posting.

Minutes for this item have not yet been published, so no vote tally is available. The form on file is a blank template with no specific names, dates, or work hours filled in, making the item procedural in nature.

July 22 Special Session

The Legislature scheduled a special session for July 22, 2026. The agenda includes a public comment period and a single substantive item: an update on the Public Safety Facility. No details about the update were provided in the agenda.

Members were also expected to vote on a motion to convene an Executive Session. That closed session would address public-safety issues that could be harmed by disclosure and a proposed real-property acquisition whose value might be affected by publicity, according to the agenda.

Minutes from the July 22 special session have not yet been published, so it is not known whether the Executive Session was convened or what, if anything, was decided regarding the Public Safety Facility or the property acquisition.

What This Means for Residents

The July 13 decisions direct county funds toward elections infrastructure — specifically electronic poll books and vote-by-mail capabilities — though the amounts are modest. The July 22 special session signals ongoing legislative attention to the Public Safety Facility, a topic that may involve future spending or property decisions. Residents should watch for published minutes from that session to learn what was discussed behind closed doors and whether any formal actions followed.

Coming Up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days. Residents interested in the Public Safety Facility update or the Executive Session outcomes should watch for the July 22 special session minutes to be published.

Yates County Legislature approves vote-by-mail grant contract; committees act on opiate funds, broadband bid, and road agreement

The Yates County Legislature unanimously adopted two resolutions on July 13 authorizing the chair to sign election-related grant contracts, including a $5,622.06 vote-by-mail grant contract and a $134.61 electronic poll book contract. The votes were part of a busy two-week stretch in which county committees also approved a separate account for opiate settlement funds, a Haggerty Road laneway use agreement, and set the stage for a $2.6 million broadband expansion bid.

Legislature: Election contracts approved unanimously

At its July 13 meeting, the Yates County Legislature approved the June 8 minutes and payment of the audit, both by unanimous vote. The body then adopted Resolution 280–26, authorizing the chair to sign an electronic poll book contract for $134.61, and Resolution 281–26, authorizing the chair to sign a vote-by-mail grant contract for $5,622.06. All votes were unanimous.

A separate agenda item, Resolution RS 2417-A, would establish standard work days (6–8 hours per day) and reporting requirements for elected and appointed officials to the New York State and Local Retirement System. The form is a blank template with no specific names, dates, or work hours filled in. It requires certification by the secretary or clerk and a 30-day public posting. Minutes for this item have not yet been published.

Government Operations: Six grant authorizations forwarded

The Government Operations Committee approved its June 1 minutes and authorized forwarding six authorizations for the Chair of the Legislature to sign grant program contracts. Those cover the Electronic Poll Book, Vote-by-Mail, Ballot-by-Mail extension, 2025 General Election extension, 2024 General Election extension, and Absentee Ballot Pre-Paid Postage extension. The committee also approved a resolution recognizing the Town of Torrey's 175th anniversary, to be placed in a time capsule. Pat Killen and Leigh MacKerchar were assigned to conduct the committee audit this month.

Human Services: Opiate settlement account and multiple agreements

The Human Services Committee approved a resolution to create a separate account for opiate settlement funds. The committee also authorized the Chair of the Legislature to sign agreements with LexisNexis Services; NYSARC Inc. for preschool transportation; Penn Yan Central School District for Preschool Special Education and JUUL Settlement Funds; Dundee Central School District for JUUL Settlement Funds; the Village of Penn Yan for CAI Grant Funds; and Common Ground Health. The committee authorized proclamations for August 4 as U.S. Coast Guard Birthday and August 7, 2026 as National Purple Heart Day in Yates County.

Public Works: Haggerty Road agreement and pine tree removal

The Public Works Committee approved a laneway use agreement for Haggerty Road in Potter and approved the removal of a pine tree for First Baptist Church. No vote tallies were provided for either item. The committee authorized multiple resolutions to proceed to the Legislative Meeting with no objections recorded, and voted unanimously to enter executive session to discuss a proposed lease or purchase of real property.

Finance Committee: Broadband bid and capital plan on agenda

The Finance Committee met July 7 to discuss the 2027–2031 Capital Improvement Plan, budget transfers, and aid appropriations. The agenda included a resolution to award the Phase 3 broadband bid to Eustis Cable for $2.6 million. Other items covered Community Services, Public Health, Workforce Development, and Highway budget transfers; renewal of the Yates County Planning Board appointment for S. Purdy; and a public hearing for 2027 Budget Adoption scheduled for November 19 at 6:00 p.m. Minutes have not yet been published, so these items were discussed but not confirmed as decided.

Public Safety Committee: Facility updates and EMS plan reviewed

The Public Safety Committee reviewed monthly statistics and goal progress from the District Attorney, Probation, Emergency Services, and Sheriff's offices. Agenda items included a verbal update on the Public Safety Facility project, development of a countywide EMS coordination plan due mid-December, a proposed animal abuse registry under review by the County attorney, final design phase for a new fire training facility with a construction contract under review, and a report of a vacant ADA position with no current applicants. Minutes have not yet been published.

Coming up

The Yates County Legislature will meet in a special session on July 22, 2026. Members are expected to vote on a motion to convene an executive session to discuss public-safety matters deemed confidential and a proposed real-property acquisition whose value might be affected by publicity.