June Session Update

During the June Session of the Onondaga County Legislature, Republican Caucus members successfully pushed forward several important resolutions that will benefit all the residents of Onondaga County.

Legislators approved 17-0 that $15 million dollars be spent on an infrastructure project to improve internet service in unserved areas in Onondaga County.  This will bring broadband service to nearly 3,000 homes.  A 2021 study found that of the nearly 3,000 respondents, 45% have children who struggled to complete schoolwork at home and 58% have struggled to complete work from home. The resolution was sponsored by Legislators David Knapp and Julie Abbott.

“I have been working on this problem for many years, but it took the pandemic to really illustrate the severity of the broadband situation in Onondaga County, especially in our rural areas” says Knapp.

Abbott adds, “Access to the internet is no longer a luxury. It’s critical to equal opportunity in education and leveling the ‘playing field‘ for our rural businesses and families.”

Onondaga County will now put out a request for proposals to identify the internet service provider(s) to complete the work.  In total, the project is expected to take 2 to 3 years to complete.

Legislators also approved a mortgage tax apportionment, meaning more than 7 millions of dollars will be distributed to local towns and villages and the City of Syracuse. Mortgage tax is collected by the Onondaga County Clerk whenever a mortgage is filed.  While all towns and villages will benefit, Clay, DeWitt and Salina will receive the most, along with the City of Syracuse. “I think it’s fantastic that the county does this” says Republican Majority Leader Brian May.  “We’re one of only a few counties in New York State that share this revenue with our local municipalities and I know it makes a big difference at the local level.” CENTRO also receives funding through the mortgage tax apportionment, approximately 25% of the total amount. Click here to see the full amounts being distributed to municipalities.

Two new contract agreements were approved by Legislators: one with the Deputy Sheriff’s Benevolent Association, and another with the Civil Service Employees Association, Inc., Local 1000 AFSCME, AFL-CIO, Onondaga County Employees Local #834 and Correction Unit 7800-09.  Combined, these contracts cover hundreds of Onondaga County employees.

Legislator Tim Burtis sponsored a bill that would waive Onondaga County Planning Board referrals, where there is no inter-community or county-wide impact.  “What we are doing is we’re streamlining the process here so smaller items no longer have to come before them” Legislator Burtis said during the Session. “It’s a good idea.” The bill allows matters of local concern to be decided by the municipal boards instead of a county agency.  These concerns include things like area variances, special permits, subdivisions, and site plan/project site reviews.  The bill was approved by the Legislature. 

The Legislature honored retiring Onondaga Community College President Dr. Casey Crabill for her service to OCC and the community, with a Gold Seal sponsored by Legislator John McBride. In her 9 years, Dr. Crabill successfully took OCC through the COVID-19 pandemic, expanded virtual class options, created new degree and certificate programs to respond to industry demands, created the first-in-the-nation ‘Box of Books’ program and several programs allowing students the chance to attend OCC tuition-free.  Dr. Crabill has been a fiscally conservative leader, successfully reorganizing OCC’s degree and certificate programs into 8 schools, and reducing college expenses and the budget by more than $13 million dollars during her tenure.  Legislators also approved OCC’s operating budget for the Fiscal Year September 1, 2022, to August 31, 2023.

Retiring Onondaga Community College President Dr. Casey Crabill is honored by Legislator John McBride and Minority Leader Chris Ryan.

June was another great Session where the hard work and determination of the Republican Caucus once again will benefit all the residents of Onondaga County.