GENESEE COUNTY
Legislators take pass on changes
BATAVIA—The Genesee County legislators took no action this week on a proposal to extend their terms to four years from two years and stagger them so that not all members face re-election the same year.
Stephen Ferry, a Darien Town Board member, said the changes could attract more candidates and provide more continuity.
Making the change requires approval by the Legislature and in a referendum.
Contests for the nine legislative seats are rare, except in the city and the town of Le Roy. All legislators’ terms will end this year, but so far only John J. Hodgins, RBatavia, has announced he will retire.
In another matter, the Legislature renewed its biennial home rule request to the State Legislature to extend the extra 1- cent-per-dollar sales tax. The resolution repeats the request made in February in a two-step process required by the state for State Senate and Assembly passage.
Several years ago, the county increased the sales tax to 4 percent from 3 percent, bringing in an additional $3.9 million a year to finance capital projects and repay long-term debt.
A companion resolution asks continuation of the additional one-quarter of 1 percent tax on mortgages. That tax brings in as much as $300,000.
In other action, the Legislature:
• Voted unanimously to eliminate the jobs of four registered nurses and a nurse assistant. They have been or probably will be hired by Health Care of Rochester, which late last month assumed county home health care services from the county nursing home. The county is paying the Rochester provider $15,000 per month but will save as much as $300,000 in salaries and benefits for the remainder of the year.
• Approved $4,500 for the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce’s Business Education Alliance, a partnership among businesses and schools to improve employee readiness.
• Approved $9,000 for the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council to promote music and art appreciation.
• Agreed to accept $27,496 from the state Health Department to continue efforts to prevent lead poisoning among children.
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