Donald N. Borland

Key discussions and resolutions included authorizing the acceptance of the New York State Department of Health Performance Incentive Program Grant and amending the 2026 Public Health Budget. The Board also authorized acceptance of the Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs Administration Grant, amending 2025 and 2026 Public Health Budgets. Further actions involved authorizing the Health Department to request bids for transportation services for Early Intervention and Preschool Special Education Programs. Additional agenda items covered approving additional Mental Health Department State Aid from OMH and OASAS, endorsing appointments to the Finger Lakes Workforce Investment Board, authorizing acceptance of the Lead Poisoning Prevention Grant, approving a contract with Leo J. Roth for HVAC services, and authorizing going to bid for highway material and tree service, and soliciting bids for rubbish and recycling services. The Board reaffirmed March to receive applications for agricultural land inclusion in districts. Resolutions were passed to accept a Pomeroy Foundation grant for a historical marker, adopt the Seneca County Housing Strategy, authorize an intermunicipal agreement with the Town of Varick for court security services, authorize an application for the 2025-2026 NYS Canal Corporation Grant for marine patrol services, award a bid to Blue Line Wellness for a Sheriff's Department wellness program, and support securing federal funds for memorial projects at the NYS Veterans Cemetery- Finger Lakes.

The document captures discussions and actions from both the February 5, 2026 meeting agenda and the January 8, 2026 meeting minutes. Key topics discussed included the acknowledgment of the PARIS 2025 and 2026 Budget Submittals, and discussion regarding the presentation timing of the Listening Tour results to the Board of Supervisors (BOS). New Business for the January meeting involved considering the Annual Resolution for 2026, which included ratification of required policies, an amendment to the Whistleblower Policy, and the appointment of officers and committee members for 2026. The Board also approved the 2026 meeting schedule and reviewed proposals for accounting and administrative support, favoring the MRB Group proposal. Old Business included updates on the Ovid Local Development Corporation, noting redevelopment priorities like securing matching funds and identifying a grocery store as an anchor. Following an Executive Session, the Board unanimously approved pursuing a contract with RKG Associates to revise Seneca County's Economic Development Strategic Plan.

The key discussion item centered on a resolution to amend the Board Rules to accurately reflect the current structure of the Standing Committees for the 2026-2027 Board term, including the definition of the Chairman's role as an ex-officio voting member on all committees. The resolution established nine new Standing Committees. The meeting concluded with an unsuccessful motion to enter Executive Session to review collective negotiations under the New York State Open Meetings Law.

The meeting included the review of key discussion points during an interview with Supervisor Jeff Trout regarding the Town of Fayette's priorities, including infrastructure challenges such as water rate disparities, the need for housing development, and the desire to break down political divides for regional economic growth. The Town of Fayette is focusing on retaining its residential and agricultural character while investing in land use regulations to manage tourism expansion. The board also received a presentation on the Seneca County Housing Study, which indicated bleak findings but highlighted the county's potential to leverage resources for improvement. Old business included updates on obtaining the Organization EIN necessary for setting up a bank account, which requires a no-transaction letter from an auditor, and scheduling a discussion about consultant proposals for the next meeting.

The Committee Agenda covered numerous topics across several committees. The Economic Development, Tourism & Housing committee planned to discuss the NYS Short Term Rental Registry opt-in/opt-out, approve tourism promotion funds for the Lodi Historical Society's Bicentennial, proclaim April 2026 as Fair Housing Month, reappoint the Fair Housing Officer, authorize Snowmobile Trail Grant applications, appoint a member to the Seneca County Funding Corporation, and authorize an RFP for the Village of Ovid Revitalization plan. The Public Works & Infrastructure committee addressed approving a service contract for building systems with Day Automation, purchasing two 2027 International Ten Wheelers and other equipment for the Highway Department, accepting the bid for bridge deck replacement (CR 120 and CR 131), accepting a NYSDOT Aviation Capital Grant for an airport building, applying for FAA/NYSDOT grants for a new Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS), and setting public hearings for proposed cost increases for Sewer Districts No. 1 and No. 2 improvements, as well as authorizing Barton & Loguidice for bridge project engineering. The Human Resources committee planned discussions on refilling various departmental positions (Human Services, Facilities, Mental Health, Sheriff's Office), approving the reclassification of Employment & Training Counselors to Senior Counselors, and authorizing the abolishment of the Coordinator of Children's Services position in favor of a new Mental Health Clinical Therapist position. The Government Operations & Administration committee addressed the appointment of Tiffany Folk as Commissioner of Elections effective 2027. The Health & Human Services committee planned to approve a nursing services contract, direct an RFP for a new Electronic Health Record system, approve 2026 Community Services Board appointments, authorize solicitation of bids for an abatement project, and handle vehicle acquisition and surplus for the Weatherization Department, in addition to resolutions concerning funding restoration, accepting NYSDOH grants (Healthy Neighborhoods, Tobacco Enforcement, Water Enhancement), and authorizing an agreement with United Way for anti-vaping programming. The Public Safety & Criminal Justice committee planned to authorize applying for a DOJ grant for the Project Lifesaver Program and appointing Toni DiGiovanni as Secretary/Treasurer of the STOP-DWI Program. The Contracts, Procurement & Negotiations committee intended to authorize an Intermunicipal Agreement with the Town of Fayette for court security services.