Melissa Biddle

The meeting commenced with introductions and an invocation, followed by the approval of the agenda. Several sets of previous meeting minutes were approved, including those from a public hearing on the 2026 tentative budget, the board meeting of December 17th, the reorganization meeting of January 2nd, and Committee of the Whole meetings from January 7th. Key discussions involved operational reports such as MTS data showing no mutual aid needed in December 2025, and correspondence received regarding the proposed demolition of the former St. Phillips Church in Belmont. Significant administrative actions included the confirmation of numerous personnel appointments and designations of succession for roles such as Deputy County Administrator, Deputy County Budget Officer, Deputy County Auditor, Acting District Attorney, and Deputy County Clerk. The board approved the chairman's appointment of the director for the county veteran service agency and addressed resolutions regarding reappointments to the Board of Ethics and the acceptance of 2026 New York State aid program grant funds for economic development. The session concluded with the collective approval of financial audits, showing total funds exceeding expectations due to strong sales tax revenue.

The meeting commenced with a roll call, establishing a quorum. Key discussions focused on the approval of the agenda and the minutes from the December 3rd, 2025 meeting. The committee provided an update on the status of the Onward Ops grant application, noting a delay in decision-making but expressing optimism due to the low number of total applications. A significant portion was dedicated to the recently expanded veterans property tax exemption law, detailing its convoluted requirements which, as currently written, appear to disqualify most veterans; efforts are underway to seek a chapter amendment to rectify this. Furthermore, the committee discussed personnel matters, including the reappointment of an executive secretary for workers' compensation and the chairman's plan to appoint a new director for the veteran service agency. Finally, appointments for reappointments and a new member to the board of ethics were approved. Updates on Dwire program activities, including upcoming events at Alfred State University and a planned community forum with the crew of the USS Jason Dunham, were also shared, along with information regarding accreditation training completed by staff.

The Ways and Means Committee meeting included procedural items such as the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call confirming seven members present, and approvals for the agenda and minutes from the December 17th meeting. Key financial discussions included the review of the final 2025 sales tax report, which showed revenue 6.5% over the previous year and $2.8 million over budget for 2025. The committee also authorized the acceptance of grant funds totaling $49,374 from the I Love New York aid program. Personnel actions included approving requests to fill a Deputy County Treasurer position, a full-time Public Health Educator position funded by state and county resources, one full-time Motor Equipment Operator position in Public Works, a full-time Assistant District Attorney position, and a full-time First Assistant District Attorney position. The final item involved a request for an executive session regarding attorney-client privilege.

The meeting involved significant discussion and approval of various contracts and budgetary matters across Human Services, Public Health, and Social Services departments. Key discussions included the immediate need for gap funding for ACCORD due to the loss of Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) federal funding, impacting domestic violence services and staffing levels. The committee approved numerous one-year contracts for congregate luncheon sites, home and healthcare services (including respite care and homecare agencies like Elderwood, Houghton Rehabilitation, Jan & Bev's Home Care, Willcare, and AIM Independent Living Center), and various Child Advocacy Center service renewals. Public Health addressed updates on lead case management, approved agreements for lead testing analysis, and renewed grant contracts for Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention and Comprehensive Family Planning. The Social Services section handled approvals for SANE-P contracts, various Child Advocacy Center services, Medicaid contracts, Parent Education Program renewals, REDY contracts, and Qualified Individual (QI) contracts for child placement evaluations. Budget adjustments for the Youth Bureau, accepting allocations for Youth Team Sports and Youth Development Funds, were also approved, as were authorizations to apply for the Victim Assistance Grant Program and requests to fill various staff positions.

The Public Safety Committee agenda for February 4, 2026, covered numerous critical operational and fiscal matters. Key discussions included monthly reports from the Acting District Attorney, Public Defender, Conflict Defender, Director of Emergency Management, Probation Director, and Sheriff. The committee addressed several requests to fill vacant positions across these departments, including an Assistant District Attorney, Legal Services Case Manager, and multiple Sheriff's Office roles (Corporals, Deputies, Dispatcher). Significant fiscal actions involved requests for reappropriation of unspent funds from the 2023 and 2024 Homeland Security Grant Programs (SHSP) and the FY2024 Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG). The Probation Department sought approval for a budget transfer from the Office of Violence Against Women grant and renewals for agreements with Jeffery Brown, LCSW Associates, and Alfred Counseling Associates. The Sheriff's Office presented contracts for 911 communications tower work with Patriot Towers and jail food services with Trinity Services Group, Inc. A Public Hearing was scheduled regarding the establishment of an Allegany County Traffic Diversion Program, and an agreement for traffic diversion management services with Diversion Management, LLC was proposed. Finally, the committee considered the appointment of a Conflict Defender.