BATAVIA – The Genesee County Legislature on Wednesday refused an unusual request from a department head to take a 25 percent pay cut.

William R. Joyce, the new director of the county Veterans Service Agency, said his $40,000 salary reduces his military pension. The combat veteran asked that his salary be lowered to $30,000.

Instead, legislators, uncertain about changing a budgeted figure, referred the resolution to the Ways and Means Committee for a possible alternative.

The legislators also approved accepting a $200,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The funds for infrastructure work at the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park will go to the Genesee County Economic Development Center, which is building the park for food processors.

The grant is one of several for the 200-acre Town of Batavia development, which is home to two yogurt-making plants.

Last year, it received a $1 million federal grant toward an aquifer system to meet the yogurt firms’ need for clean water.

The legislators also awarded a contract to Robert Jones III, of Rochester, for technical assistance in renegotiating a contract with Siemens Industry for preventive maintenance at the county nursing home.

Jones’ consulting fee of up to $6,000 would be offset by $13,000 in electricity savings.

The county also will spend $40,000 with Premier Consulting of Amherst for health benefits plan consulting services. The amount is $5,000 more than last year.