Jefferson County Board adopts 2026 priorities, accepts major grants and authorizes contracts; EMS support grant defeated

The Jefferson County Board of Legislators on Feb. 3 adopted a broad set of 2026 strategic priorities, accepted multiple federal and state grants, and authorized a series of contracts and budget amendments spanning transportation, public health, housing and county services.

The Board began the meeting by waiving standing rules to introduce a packet of resolutions postponed from committee. Legislator Steel E. Potter presented the Finance & Rules Committee's priorities, which the Board adopted and which include regular budget and audit updates, launch of an occupancy tax registry for short-term rentals, a proposal to develop an industrial park to recruit supply-chain manufacturers for Micron, adoption of a county artificial intelligence policy, and expanded performance reviews. The resolution took effect immediately.

The Board also adopted Jefferson County’s 2026 legislative priorities for advocacy in Albany. The package, introduced by Legislator Daniel R. McBride, includes statutory reform of CPL §730 (S.1004A/A.5567A) to modernize competency restoration, compensation for municipalities affected by Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal gaming revenue shortfalls, restoration of local land-use and taxation authority for renewable energy projects, extended producer-responsibility for solar panels, and requests to pause or amend state regulatory actions cited in the resolution. The Board authorized sending certified copies to state leaders and local legislators.

County leaders approved multiple record‑keeping and service agreements. The Board adopted New York State Archives Digital Imaging Guidelines designating digital copies as the official copy of record and approved an agreement with Schneider Geospatial, LLC to replace the county’s property information portal. The Board authorized intermunicipal and vendor agreements for winter roadway services, bridge and road capital projects, rural transit (FTA Section 5311) funding administration, and housing grants including a $750,000 CDBG award and a $938,996.80 HOME Consortium award.

Public safety and infrastructure actions included acceptance of a State Fiscal Year 2025 Next Generation 911 grant of $1,515,197 to support digital 911 upgrades; authorization to pursue FAA and NYSDOT grants and to contract for snow removal equipment at Watertown International Airport; and a series of airport project contract awards and budget amendments tied to the Terminal Gateway Project.

Several social‑services and public‑health measures were approved: the Board accepted a $333,033 Pretrial Services grant, a $750,000 New York State Office of Indigent Legal Services award to strengthen family‑court representation, reappropriated Septic System Replacement Program funds, and accepted state incentive and program grants supporting public health and EMS-related capabilities.

Not all measures passed: a proposed NYSDOH Emergency Medical Services Support Grant of $499,997 (Resolution No. 73) to strengthen county EMS systems, establish an Advanced Life Support intercept based at Samaritan Medical Center, expand bariatric response capacity, and pursue a countywide Certificate of Need was defeated after committee recommendation against the measure and public objections from multiple legislators citing concerns about county involvement in ambulance services and the availability of paramedics.

The Board also approved funding and contracts to expand elderly services, including personal care and transportation agreements, personal emergency response systems funded by the Henry Keep Home, music therapy for respite services, and home modification services.

The meeting closed after roll-call votes on multiple resolutions; two legislators (Reed and Boulio) were absent. The Board adjourned at 6:24 p.m.

Votes at a glance (selected):
- Resolution 40 (Finance & Rules priorities): adopted (unanimous)
- Resolution 41 (County legislative priorities): adopted (unanimous)
- Resolution 48 (Airport Terminal Gateway Project contracts and budget amendment): adopted (roll call recorded)
- Resolution 51 (NG911 grant acceptance): adopted (roll call recorded)
- Resolution 57 (CDBG $750,000): adopted (roll call recorded)
- Resolution 58 (HOME grant $938,996.80): adopted (roll call recorded)
- Resolution 73 (NYSDOH EMS support grant $499,997): defeated (Aye: 5; Nay: 8; Absent: 2)

What’s next: Most resolutions took effect immediately or amended the 2026 budget; several projects (airport terminal work, NG911 implementation, bridge and road projects, housing rehab programs) move to procurement, contracting, or implementation steps identified in the approved resolutions.