Genesee County gains highlighted
BATAVIA — “A pledge to keep a close eye on your tax dollars, ensure the efficient and effective use of those scarce resources and deliver the quality service that has been the hallmark of Genesee County for decades” was the theme of the annual State of the County address delivered Wednesday by County Legislature Chairwoman Mary Pat Hancock.
During an 18-minute report — the eighth time she has delivered the address since elected to head the nine-member board — the Republican representing the towns of Batavia and Stafford also pointed with pride to accomplishments in 2008, among them the new Sheriff’s Office communications Center, tax relief for the Cold War veterans, a better 21st century health care and wellness plan for county employees and improvements at Genesee Community College and the county airport.
She also cited the work of the Genesee Economic Development Center and its progress in new business parks in the towns of Batavia and Pembroke.
She praised department heads and employees for achieving two legislative goals in 2008: a budget that maintained the property tax rate without affecting services. This, she added, was done despite two years of state budget cuts in county reimbursement.
In other business during a regular meeting, legislators:
• Reappointed the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce as the county’s official tourist agency for 2009. A second resolution approved funding the Chamber up to $326,000 for tourism and publicity services with money from 2009 collections in the county’s hotel and motel bed tax.
Last year, according to Chamber President Lynn N. Freeman, the 3 percent levy generated $372,000, despite $4- a-gallon fuel prices and a declining tourism economy.
• Voted to accept $118,500 in homeland security grants. The bulk will be used by the county’s Emergency Management Services to upgrade its response capabilities. The balance will help pay for a new vehicle for the city police emergency response team.
• Passed a memorialization resolution to protest a state budget proposal to eliminate funding for housing parole violators who have been considered state inmates.
• Asked that the state reduce the time parole violators are held in county jails.
The 2009-10 state budget proposal, officials said, could cost the county more than $100,000 a year. Reimbursement of $37 per day from the Division of Parole would be eliminated.
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