July Session Update
July’s Session was full of important Onondaga County business, including approving the use of money to help local municipalities still dealing with the results of last year’s flooding.
“This is an initiative that Legislator Knapp and I worked on last year in regards to the serious flooding issues that have impacted the entire county” says Legislator John McBride. “As many people know, 2021 was the wettest year on record so the purpose was to assist municipalities in addressing some of these issues and the damage that the severe flooding has caused.”
The Legislature approved the use of $100,000 for this purpose. “I applaud what we’ve done, but I think we can do more and hopefully we will” says Legislator Mark Olson, who as the Mayor of Fayetteville has seen firsthand the results of flooding. “This is one of the hardest things we are dealing with now. It used to be snow, it used to be damage from wind and other storms. Now it’s storm water.”
The other most-talked about resolution was the one allowing for $5.5 million dollars for a Senior Household Stimulus Program. In the end, Legislators voted 17-0 in favor of the program. More than 27,000 seniors in Onondaga County will receive one-time $200 checks at the end of year. They’ll go to senior citizens who own property in Onondaga County and receive the Enhanced School Tax Relief (STAR) property tax exemption. To qualify for that, seniors must be homeowners, at least 65 years of age, and have a household income of no more than $92,000.
“I am incredibly proud of this payment, specifically targeting seniors of lower and fixed incomes” Legislator Julie Abbott says. “It is a great first step towards alleviating the burden of the increased cost of living from the backs of some of our most vulnerable community members here in Central New York.”
Legislators also approved a resolution indicating Onondaga County’s ongoing intent to require a contract for payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) for solar and wind energy systems pursuant to Real Property Tax Law. Majority Leader Brian May says this is necessary to make sure the County is in compliance with state law. “With the increase in solar arrays and the use of other types of alternative forms of energy, PILOTS are often used and Real Property Tax Law allows for those payments to be made in accordance with that law. This resolution ensures that the county has a place in line for the establishment of its own PILOT with any entity wishing to build a solar array.”
Legislator Timothy Burtis presented two resolutions regarding agricultural districts within Onondaga County, both of which were adopted.
The first, co-sponsored by Legislator Ken Bush, Jr., calls for the renewal with modification of Agricultural District No. 3. Property is being added and removed in the Towns of Camillus, Cicero, Clay, Elbridge, Lysander, Manlius and Van Buren. Click here to see all the properties (starting on page 30).
The second allows for 52 acres in the Town of La Fayette to be considered viable agricultural land and added to Agricultural District 4.
Legislator David Knapp shared what he calls a common misperception. “Inclusion in an agricultural district has nothing to do with taxes. It’s completely to do with zoning. For a farm to get Ag exemption on taxes, they have to prove every single year that each acre of land is still in agricultural production.”
“I’d like to thank the Onondaga County Ag and Farmland Board for the work that they’ve done and also the staff here at the Legislature" says Legislator Burtis. "A lot of work goes into this."
Legislators also approved the calling of a public hearing regarding videoconferencing use by county lawmakers/leaders (now scheduled for 12:55 p.m. on August 2nd), and confirmed appointments to the Onondaga County Water Authority, the Onondaga County Legislature, and the Region 7 Fish and Wildlife Management Board.
At the start of the Session, the Legislature honored Dr. Indu Gupta, who is retiring after serving as the Commissioner of the Onondaga County Health Department since 2014. One of the most prominent voices during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Gupta is proud of how her department also addressed other serious health issues, such as the opioid epidemic, tobacco use, sexually transmitted diseases and lead poisoning.
“It has been my honor and privilege to serve this community” Dr. Gupta told Legislators. “I have been focused on the mission, vision and value of this department and it is in a good place and will continue to do the job, so thank you for this opportunity.”