Christopher M. Bourke

The meeting agenda included a Department Report covering finances, operations/logistic updates, and staffing updates/needs impacting operations and revenue. Updates were also provided regarding LGU matters for OASAS, OPWDD, and OMH. Key action items involved the approval of the 2026 Valenz Assurance contract and the approval of MH LGU OASAS Opioid contracts categorized under Misc. Contracts. There was also a discussion concerning the Role, Updates, and Discussion for County Corporate Compliance Officer, and an open agenda item to discuss MHL Expenses, specifically 730 Costs.

Discussions included a recap of 2025 applications submitted to the Orleans County Planning Board and statistics regarding the board's activities. An update was provided regarding the appointment of a new alternate member to the Orleans County Planning Board. The status of the Online GIS service was reviewed, noting an update to the newest version with plans to incorporate more data. A resolution was discussed concerning large-scale grant-based projects, including a grant award for the KYC LWRP to be handled by the Genesee Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council. Furthermore, the responsibility for submitting the E-Waste Annual Reporting to NY DEC was confirmed to be with Niagara County. Updates were also provided for Marine Park landscaping contracts for 2026, various 2026 tourism publications and social media plans, participation in Sport Fishing Shows, and the creation of 2026 and 2027 community/travel guides. Acceptance of the Go Art Grant for the "Charlie the Chinook" Float was noted.

The document contains records from two distinct committee meetings both held on January 12, 2026: the Mental Health Committee and the Health Committee. The Mental Health Committee discussed State Aid contracts for 2026 with Restoration Society (ACE Employment), MHA Genesee & Orleans Counties, and Hillside Family of Agencies, as well as a specialized financial services contract supported by CCSI. They also reviewed a request to accept donations on behalf of SPC and discussed pending legislation, current cases, and associated costs under the Open Agenda. The Health Committee approved several items, including a contract for the Village of Holley using Canal Way Grant funds for a playground, a contract with Monroe County STI for testing services, and an affiliation agreement with the University of Rochester for hosting Public Health Interns. Additionally, approvals were granted for out-of-state travel for two individuals to attend national conferences (NACCHO and the Preparedness Summit) at no county cost, an application for a NEHA-FDA Retail Flexible Funding Model Grant Program award, and an amendment to the NYS Septic System Replacement funds program to increase reimbursement from 50% up to $10,000 to 75% up to $25,000.

The meeting commenced with the election of temporary leadership, followed by the election and re-election of Legislator Johnson as Chairman and Legislator Eick as Vice Chairman of the Orleans County Legislature. The meeting included a brief recess for the swearing-in ceremony. Subsequent resolutions addressed the reappointment of Lisa Stenshorn as Clerk of the Legislature, the appointment of Katherine Bogan as County Attorney for a one-year term, and the fixing of Legislator compensation effective January 1, 2026. The Legislature also amended the Rules of Procedure concerning the organizational meeting schedule, designated The Daily News as the legal newspaper for 2026 publications, designated the Majority and Minority Leaders, set the 2026 regular meeting schedule, approved official blanket bond undertakings via the New York Municipal Insurance Reciprocal, awarded the bid for the 2026 County Travel Guide printing to Freeport Press, and authorized the County Treasurer to set up reserve monies for Alertus licensing in the 2026 Information Technology budget.

The meeting included several recognitions, such as retirement acknowledgments for two Emergency Management Office employees and a Proclamation declaring January 2026 as National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. The Treasurer provided a positive update on cash flow and debt service payments for 2025. Key resolutions adopted authorized several purchases for the Sheriff's Office, including SWAT equipment and marine vessel maintenance, and approved fund transfers. Significant personnel actions were authorized in the Sheriff's Office regarding the creation, filling, and abolishing of various positions, effective December 24, 2025. Other business involved renewing an agreement for EMS Medical Director services, approving a Tower Lease Agreement with Saia Communications, amending a prior resolution for GIS Mapping for the Emergency Management Office, authorizing personnel changes in the Emergency Management Office effective in late 2025 and early 2026, approving an extension of the Assigned Counsel Plan, authorizing agreements for the Assigned Counsel Administrator, and approving a Memorandum of Agreement with Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc. The Legislature also approved investigative services, amended position details in the Public Defender's Office, authorized the appointment of the Public Defender effective 2026, and authorized the District Attorney to apply for a Criminal Justice Discovery Reform Grant. Further resolutions addressed accepting grant money for Pretrial Services, authorizing Alertus licensing renewal, appointing an Interim Director of Real Property, creating and filling a Real Property Technician position, appointing members to the Safety Committee and Employee Assistance Program Committee, authorizing 2026 salary schedules, adopting a local law concerning salary increases, abolishing unbudgeted 2026 positions, approving a lease agreement for the County Clerk's Office, approving agreements for Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) and Flexible Benefits Plans, approving the 2026 Sales Tax Apportionment, authorizing year-end budget adjustments for 2025, delegating authority to the County Treasurer for certain Real Property Tax corrections, approving agreements for the Sportfishing Coordinator, appointing members to the County Planning Board, renewing agreements for Government Affairs Services, setting the date for the 2026 Organizational Meeting, authorizing out-of-state travel, authorizing capital budget payments for Broadband II, approving multiple agreements for the Department of Public Works including annual fire alarm testing and software subscription transfers, approving an agreement for Election security during Early Voting, approving numerous agreements for the Mental Health Department and amending prior resolutions regarding psychiatrist services, approving an appointment to the Community Services Board, accepting donations for the Suicide Prevention Coalition, approving agreements for Public Health services including rabies treatment and behavioral health resources, adopting a local law establishing additional fees for Elected Coroners, and authorizing budget adjustments related to NYS Septic Replacement Program and Opioid Settlements. Finally, the Legislature approved agreements for the Department of Social Services including job development services, authorized amendments to security contracts, approved changes to positions within the department, approved renewal agreements for the Office for the Aging, authorized filling a vacant position there, authorized position changes in the Veterans Department, approved a Work Sites agreement for the Job Development Agency, approved nominations to the Youth Board, and authorized the payment of claims for January.