Peter R Barnett

The key discussion focused on brownfield and blight strategies, where the County's approach was detailed using three principles: data first (including a $500,000 EPA grant application focused on the Black River Corridor), leverage before subsidy, and partnership before duplication, specifically collaborating with the City of Watertown. The Committee also reviewed and agreed to sponsor several resolutions: amending an agreement with the New York State Department of Transportation for airport runway rehabilitation, amending the 2026 County Budget to recognize 2025 Passenger Facility Charges for the Watertown International Airport (noting a 4% increase), authorizing an agreement with the U.S. Army (10th Combat Aviation Brigade) for rapid refueling operations at the airport, authorizing an agreement for the Demolition of Abbass Foods Phase 2, authorizing an agreement related to the New York State Emergency Services IP Network Readiness Grant Program, reappropriating unspent grant funds for the Fire and Emergency Management Department, amending the 2026 County Budget for 911 Phone System Support, authorizing an agreement with Stantec Consulting Services Inc. for the Oxbow-Rossie Road (CR 25) Over Vrooman Creek Project, and authorizing an agreement with Indian River Central School District for two School Resource Officers.

The Board meeting included waiving standing rules to introduce numerous resolutions due to a prior committee cancellation. Key discussions and resolutions involved adopting the 2026 Strategic Priorities for the Finance and Rules Committee and for the General Services Committee, as well as adopting the 2026 Jefferson County Legislative Priorities for New York State. Actions were taken to authorize digital conversion of records, agreements for workforce innovation and development, and a property information portal. The board established a temporary Deputy Sheriff position pending a future vacancy abolition. Several resolutions addressed funding and agreements for airport projects, including terminal construction, safety management systems, and snow removal equipment acquisition. Agreements were authorized for the Next Generation 911 Grant Program, winter roadway services with Jefferson-Lewis BOCES, and funding for a transportation project over West Creek. Further resolutions authorized agreements related to the Lake Ontario Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative (REDI) funding transfers and amendments to road/bridge maintenance agreements with Towns and Villages. Agreements were also authorized for the FTA Section 5311 Rural Transportation Program and budget amendments for Community Development Block Grants and the HOME Investment Partnership Program. The board also approved reappropriating State Septic System Replacement Program funds and accepting funding for the Snowmobile Trails Grant-in-Aid Program. Finally, agreements were authorized concerning the Ignition Interlock Device Monitoring Program Grant, funding for Certified Pretrial Services, a Quality Improvement for Family Court Representation grant, music therapy services for older adults, home modification services, legal services for the elderly, Personal Emergency Response Systems, and personal care and transportation services for the elderly.

The County Administrator presented eight broad and ambitious strategic priorities for 2026, including enhancing security at the Human Services Building, implementing results from a housing study, launching a Lead Rental Registry for Watertown, supporting efforts addressing homelessness, pursuing national public health accreditation, filling the medical examiner vacancy, improving DSS performance metrics, and standardizing customer service training. A member of the public spoke against accepting the Jefferson County Public Health EMS Rural Healthcare Grant, citing duplication of existing services and potential unfair competition. The Committee agreed to sponsor several resolutions, including adopting the 2026 Strategic Priorities, authorizing agreements for Caregiver Services (Music Therapy), Home Modification Program Services, Legal Services for the Elderly, Personal Emergency Response Systems Funding, Personal Care Services, and Transportation Services for the Elderly, and amending an agreement for Community Medicine and Paramedicine Programs. The Committee voted to send a resolution regarding the New York State Department of Health County Emergency Medical Services Support Grant to the Board with a negative recommendation. The Committee also agreed to sponsor resolutions supporting the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program and appointing a member to the Jefferson County Public Health Service Professional Advisory Committee.

Key discussions included a presentation from the Jefferson County Soil and Water Conservation District Director regarding the status and future management of county forest properties, focusing on recreational activities and potential trail expansions. The County Administrator outlined the eight strategic priorities for the Committee in 2026, encompassing infrastructure goals like airport capital projects and physical plant upgrades, and policy initiatives such as clean energy development and brownfield redevelopment. The Committee agreed to sponsor multiple resolutions, including those authorizing agreements related to the Watertown International Airport Terminal Gateway Project, the airport Safety Management System Manual, acquisition of snow removal equipment, the 911 Grant Program, winter roadway services, federal aid projects, resiliency funding, amendments to intergovernmental agreements for road maintenance, and funding for the Rural Transportation Program. Further resolutions concerned the 2025 Community Development Block Grant, amendments to the HOME Investment Partnership Grant Program, reappropriation of Septic System Replacement Program funds, the Snowmobile Trails Grant-in-Aid Program, mobility management services, and funding for the Ignition Interlock Device Monitoring Program and Certified Pretrial Services. The meeting concluded with a commendation for the Watertown International Airport on its increased ridership in 2025.

The meeting commenced with the swearing in of the new Board Members by the County Clerk. Key actions included the election of Legislator William Johnson as Chairman and Legislator Patrick Jareo as Vice Chairman for the 2026 term, with both taking their respective Oaths of Office. The Board received several appointment recommendations from the Chairman for various Director roles (Stop DWI Coordinator, Veterans Services Director, Employment & Training Director) and a Clerk recommendation for the Deputy Clerk of the Board. Reports were presented by the County Treasurer on Investments and Cash In Banks as of November 30, 2025, and by the County Administrator on December 2025 Budget Transfers. The majority of the session was dedicated to waiving Standing Rules to adopt a comprehensive new set of Standing Rules (Resolution No. 1) governing meetings, organization, rules of procedure, and committees for the Board of Legislators. Additionally, the Board appointed various officers including the Clerk of the Board, Budget Officer, County Attorney, County Auditor, Director of Aviation, Director of Employment & Training, Director of Fire & Emergency Management Services, County Historian, Director of Information Technology, Director of Insurance, Medical Director, Director of the Office for the Aging, Director of Planning & Community Development, Interim Public Defender, and Director of Public Health. Resolutions were also passed designating official depositories and newspapers for 2026, delegating authority to the County Auditor for certain real property tax refunds, and authorizing agreements for public benefit services and funding allocations to several entities including the Jefferson County Agricultural Society, Community Action Planning Council, Cooperative Extension Service, Disabled Persons Action Organization, Fort Drum Regional Liaison Organization, Jefferson County Historical Society, Jefferson County Local Development Corporation, North Country Library System, Northern Regional Center for Independent Living, and the Jefferson County Soil and Water Conservation District.