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Press release:

One of the largest carryover pools currently being offered at any race track in North America is available at Batavia Downs on Wednesday (Nov. 10) when $16,246 will seed the proceedings in the Jackpot Hi-5 pentafecta wager in the tenth race. With no unique winning ticket having been purchased on this wager in the past several weeks, the pool has grown to one of the largest the Downs has seen and offers a great mid-week betting opportunity both live and off-track.  

There is another carryover being offered in race five where $1,508 will be available for the Jackpot Pick-6.

Free full past performance program pages for all live Batavia Downs races can be downloaded at bataviadownsgaming.com under the live racing tab in the left-hand column where they are always available. 

And if you can’t attend the races in person, you can still watch a live stream of the entire night’s action on the Batavia Downs Youtube channel.

Post time for the first race is 5 p.m.

Press release:

“My name is Meredith Minier and I am a suicide survivor.  That was so hard – impossible - to say and write for a long time, but it is true.  Many people think it refers to a person who has survived a suicide attempt.  Not true.  It means we lost someone we loved dearly - and still love - to suicide. Some days it seems like it was a long time ago, and sometimes is seems like my husband, Lee, died just last week.  If you know me or anyone who has lost someone to suicide, you are a suicide survivor – in fact, I can almost say everyone who is reading this is a suicide survivor.  Perhaps it was a cousin, a work associate, your best friend’s mother, the neighbor down the road, or your spouse or child. 

We ‘suicide survivors’ are a unique group of grievers with unique challenges; one of the most challenging is fighting the stigma associated with suicide.  Many of us feel frozen, in so much pain we don’t know how to move forward. It is not something our loved ones would want for us.  I felt that way for a long time until I finally took action to turn my pain into something positive and help those in my community find the help and resources they need to heal and be productive and honor the one they loved and lost.” 

To help the process of healing, The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (www.AFSP.org) has sponsored the International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day.  AFSP sponsors this special day the Saturday before Thanksgiving of each November. The GOW Pathway to Hope Steering Committee and the Orleans County Suicide Prevention Coalition have planned a week of special online activities preceding the 20th for all the residents of Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming County communities to come together and reach out a hand to those grieving following the loss of a loved one to suicide.

Please go to the following Facebook pages Orleans County (www.facebook.com/OrleansCountySuicidePreventionCoalition), Wyoming County (https://www.facebook.com/wyomingcountySPC) or the GOW Pathway to Hope page (https://www.facebook.com/GOWPathwaytoHope/)  for positive thoughts, ideas and activities for positive action during the Week of November 15th. 

International Survivors of Suicide Loss day is observed worldwide as a way of showing support to survivors who are struggling.  Please light a candle on Nov. 20 from 7-9 p.m. to bring these survivors out of the darkness and into the light with your support.  If you are on Facebook, please take a picture and post it on your page and tag it #LightAPathway2Hope2021 so we can share it on our social media platforms.  For those who are not on Facebook but would like to share a remembrance of a loved one or share words of encouragement for those who are grieving, you can send an anonymous message via survey monkey and we will share them as we are able: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GOWPathway2Hope2021

“Suicide survivor’s put a face to suicide…by sharing their personal stories, they are able to turn their grief into action and communicate the urgent need to take concrete steps to prevent more deaths by suicide.  Their openness also sends a message of hope that there is always a tomorrow after suicide.”  Author unknown

If you are struggling with depression, anxiety and/or thoughts of suicide it is important to reach out for help.  The Care + Crisis Helpline is a free, confidential helpline available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  You can call 585-283-5200 or text ‘Hope’ to 741741 and they will help connect you with appropriate assistance.  For the Genesee County Mental Health at 585-344-1421.  The Orleans County Mental Health Department can be reached at 585-589-7066.  In Wyoming County you can reach out to Spectrum Health at 585-786-0220 or Clarity Wellness at 585-786-0790.  For Veterans, please call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 and press 1. If you are having a mental health emergency, please call 9-1-1 for assistance. 

You are not alone, there are people who want to help.

Press release: 

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) is expressing deep concern after yesterday’s sudden announcement six prisons throughout the state would be ordered to close.

The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) announced six of their facilities will close on March 10, 2022. The closures announced were Ogdensburg Correctional Facility, Moriah Shock Incarceration Correctional Facility, Southport Correctional Facility, Downstate Correctional Facility, Rochester Correctional Facility, and Willard Drug Treatment Campus. 

“The sudden announcement of prison closures throughout the state was disrespectful both to employees, who will now have mere months to either relocate or find new jobs, as well as the local governments and communities who will have to quickly plan for the consequences of these closures,” said Hawley. “With all that our corrections professionals have endured in recent times, including an increase in violent incidents against them in the midst of a pandemic, they deserve better than to have their lives, careers and communities upended so abruptly.”

While dismayed by the news of prison closures, Hawley was glad to see a bill he sponsored signed into law which prohibits the practice of ‘double-bunking’ in prisons. Hawley supported the legislation in order to protect the welfare of corrections officers, prison staff and those incarcerated.  

“Double-bunking has jeopardized the well-being of corrections professionals and inmates alike, along with the ability of prison staff to effectively supervise the activities of prisoners. My hope is that banning this practice will aid in reversing the ongoing trend of rising prison violence throughout the state and ensure safer conditions for all,” said Hawley. 

Statement from Assemblyman Steve Hawley:

The results of last Tuesday’s elections in our state and throughout the nation reflect a rejection of overreaching, burdensome policies that stifle economic growth and jeopardize public safety, and a desire for a return to kitchen-table governance. America is a nation of opportunity, and the anti-growth, tax-and-spend policies of the Majority are antithetical to the spirit of entrepreneurship that has made our nation the greatest on this planet. This year, Americans rejected socialism and voted for leaders who believe in hard work and the pursuit of the American Dream, in what I hope is just the beginning of a reclamation of our government by people who believe in our constitution, in our way of life and in our free markets.

Seeing voters soundly reject ballot measures 1, 3, and 4 was incredibly heartening, and an indication that the public has grown tired of political gamesmanship and one-party rule in state government. Our government at the state and federal levels was designed to be collaborative in its deliberations, with a minority party able to check the power of the majority, and these proposals threatened that delicate balance of power. By rejecting these proposals, voters chose a path forward for New York that preserves the voice of rural, upstate New York and maintains reasonable safeguards against our electoral and redistricting processes. 

What people want and expect from their government is simple; attention toward matters that jeopardize the well-being of themselves and their loved ones, and the protection of their right to lead their lives in their own way, follow their passions and provide for their family. By rallying against the law enforcement professionals who keep our communities safe, putting up obstacles to success in people’s careers and businesses, and implementing overreaching mandates that went too far in restricting their liberties, the Majority showed their priorities were not in line with those of the average working New Yorker. That is exactly why I will continue to do everything I can to stand up for our law enforcement, our liberties, and our ability to work hard and change the world through innovation. Our liberties and maintained public safety, which allows us to freely exercise them, are what make America the greatest nation on earth. It is my hope to see that as time passes, as a state and as a nation, we become even greater, freer, and safer than we’ve ever been before.

Press release:

Western Region Off-Track Betting (WROTB) and Batavia Downs Gaming announced today that a recently held celebrity bartending night  raised $5,2oo in support of Connor O’Neil and his family in their battle against cancer.

On October 29th, a celebrity Bartending event was held at the Labatt Blue Zone at 34 Rush inside Batavia Downs.  Former Buffalo Football Star Thurman Thomas, for whom the bar is named, was there along with Buffalo Hockey Legend Danny Gare.  Media Personalities DJ Jickster from 97 Rock, Patrick Hammer from WGRZ and Dave Greber from WIVB were also in attendance.  Funds were raised from a portion of sales made at the restaurant between 8:30pm and 10:30pm as well as via a live auction for autographed sports memorabilia.  Items that were auctioned off included an autographed Dylan Cozens Jersey, Autographed Kyler Murray Helmet and Autographed Thurman Thomas Ball and Jersey.

“We were honored to help raise money for such a worthy cause, “said Batavia Downs Gaming’s President and CEO, Henry Wojtaszek.  “It was great seeing so many well known personalities like Thurman Thomas, Danny Gare, DJ Jickster, Patrick Hammer and Dave Greber come out in support of the Connor Strong Foundation.  We are encouraged the number of folks that came out to help raise money and awareness that evening.  The people of Western New York are so generous and we are lucky to live in such a caring community.”

“We’d like to thank Batavia Downs & Gaming and Henry Wojtaszek for an amazing night,” said Connor’s Uncle Kevin O’Neil.  “We are deeply humbled by the event and realize how fortunate we are to live in Western New York and to be surrounded by the good people that were with us that night.  My Nephew, Connor, and the vision for the Connor Strong Foundation will both succeed because of the people who are here to help support those affected by childhood cancer.  The kindness in this world can be overwhelming and Friday Night was a testament to that.”

Press release:

On Tuesday, November 16, 2021, the Genesee County STOP-DWI Advisory Board will sponsor their 5th annual STOP-DWI Awards Luncheon at Terry Hills Restaurant & Banquet Facility.  Nine young people from districts in the county will be honored for their commitment to the community for entering the Board’s STOP-DWI Poster Contest. There are 1st-3rd place winners in two grade categories, 6-8 and 9-12, as well as a Computer-Generated Art Winner and a Grand Prize Winner. Additionally, the luncheon will recognize three Top Cop Awards.

The following young people will be recognized for their STOP-DWI poster submissions: 6-8th grade winners; Rhyder Palen, Preston Dinkins and Willow Hoover. The 9th-12th grade winners are Brooke Jarkiewicz and Grace Shepard. The Computer Generated Art winners are Elizabeth Clark, Adrianna Barone and Mia Ridley. The Grand Prize Winner whose artwork will appear on two billboards in Genesee County in November and December is Zoey Shepard an 11th grader from Byron Bergen Central School.

Former Batavia Police Officer Sean Wilson, Genesee County Sheriff Deputy Kenneth Quackenbush and Village of LeRoy Police Department Jordan Wolcott are receiving the Top Cop Award for going above and beyond with DWI arrests during a twelve-month time period.  They are also being honored for their dedication to keeping our community safe

Registration will begin at 11:30 am. The program and luncheon will begin at 12pm. Seating is limited. If you are interested in attending the luncheon, contact the Genesee County Youth Bureau at (585) 344-3960 no later than November 10th.

Press release:

Genesee Cancer Assistance, Inc., is proud to acknowledge Merrill Lynch as a $5,000 corporate sponsor in recognition of the nonprofit agency's 25 years of serving cancer patients in Genesee County.

A 25^th Anniversary Celebration is scheduled for Nov. 20 at the Park Place Banquet Room at Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel. Doors open at 4:30 p.m., with appetizers at 5 p.m. and dinner at 6 p.m., followed with a special recognition program and music.

Tickets are $35 each and include $25 in free play at the casino. Tickets are presale only and available for purchase until Nov. 12 by calling the office at (585) 345-0417 or online at: https://gca-25th-anniversary.eventbrite.com/.

More information can be found at www.geneseecancerassistance.org.

The event will be an acknowledgment of GCA’s community supporters, dedicated volunteers and the cancer patients it serves.

Photo: From left, Cal Klemmer of the Merrill Lynch office; GCA Executive Director Sue Underwood, volunteers Shirley Puleo and Teresa Potrzebowski, and GCA Board President Nickie Fazio. Photo by Alecia Kaus.

Press release:

Batavia Community Schools is hosting a Fall Expo on Tuesday, November 9, at its Robert Morris location.

The event will include a job fair from 2-7 pm, in conjunction with the Genesee County Business and Education Alliance (BEA), and the annual “Warm the Night” activities from 5-7 pm.

Addition information on the Fall Expo events:

FALL EXPO

Date: Tuesday, November 9

Location: Robert Morris: 80 Union Street, Batavia, NY

• Enter through the Richmond/Vernon Avenues entrance
• Parking is available across the street at VanDetta Stadium
• Transportation Available (Bus locations/times available here)
• Click here to see participating businesses, agencies and organizations

JOB FAIR @ the FALL EXPO

Time: 2-7 pm

Location: Robert Morris Multi-Purpose Room

• Representatives from local businesses and organizations will be on-hand to discuss job opportunities and answer questions
• Eligible students will be able to obtain their working papers from 5-7 pm
• Open to all

WARM THE NIGHT @ the FALL EXPO

Time: 5-7pm

Location: Outdoors in the parking lot on the corner of Richmond/Vernon Avenues

• Donated coats, scarves, gloves, and hats will be available for children and families
• Local agencies and organizations will have tables set up to educate the community on the services they offer
• Food will be served by BCSD Administration, and all registrants will be eligible for raffle prizes

COVID PROTOCOLS

• Masks will be required in the building
• Tables will be socially distanced
• All participants will need to register before entering

Batavia Community Schools was launched in 2020 with a vision of building a better Batavia by promoting equitable learning opportunities, cultivating healthier families, and establishing a stronger community. The program aims to unite the community through shared resources, working partnerships, and open, collaborative communication.

Batavia Community Schools, located at 80 Union Street, also includes a Family and Community Engagement Center run by District Social Worker Julie Wasilewski. The Center hosts a Community Closet, which provides free clothing, hygiene products, food, and household items to those in need. The Center is also set up for meetings, computer access, and a children’s reading area.

Additional information on our Batavia Community Schools can be found here.

Press release:

The Downtown Batavia Business Improvement District is hosting its annual Christmas in the City event from 2 to 6 p.m. on Sat., Dec. 4 with a holiday parade down Main Street to follow at 6 p.m.

The BID is inviting any business, organization or group to walk, ride or enter a float for the parade which runs from Jefferson Avenue to Summit Street. Downtown businesses are encouraged to host an activity or offer store specials during the event. Vendors are welcome.

This year’s event includes train rides, pictures with Santa, hot cocoa, crafts, and a Downtown Scavenger hunt with chances to win some great prizes.

The BID also is hosting its second annual Wreath Contest for Downtown Batavia.  Again, any business, group, organization or family are invited to enter the contest.

For $20, each participant is provided with a 16-inch plain wreath to decorate. Participants can pick up their wreaths on Sat., Nov, 20 and will have a week to decorate it before dropping the wreath off to the BID for community volunteers to put them up downtown.

Voting for most creative will take place from Dec. 4-24. First place winner receives $100 cash prize, second place $75 and third place $50.

To participate in Christmas in the City or the Wreath Contest, contact Beth Kemp at director@downtownbataviany.com or find all forms online at DowntownBataviaNY.com.

Press release:

The Genesee Community College Foundation is excited to announce tickets are now on sale for the 2021 Encore celebration taking place on Saturday, December 4, 2021, in the Richard C. Call Arena at GCC's Batavia Campus. Tickets are on sale now at www.gccfoundationinc.org/encore

Since its inception, Encore has provided an opportunity for the local community to raise funds for student scholarships. In 2020, the Foundation awarded over $120,000 in scholarships. As the world and economic factors change, the need for scholarships grows - and so does Encore!

Under the direction of co-chairs John and Cathy Witkowski and with the help of presenting sponsor, Tompkins Financial Corporation, the GCC Foundation is Putting on the Ritz for one and all! Tickets include dinner, drinks, dancing, and a holiday concert by "Nik and the Nice Guys" on Saturday, December 4, 2021, from 6 - 10 p.m.

"GCC has seen tremendous growth over the years and part of the success is the generosity of the alumni and communities that surround the college," John Witkowski said. "It's an honor for Cathy and me to co-chair Encore - Putting on the Ritz! It's an event that supports our students and pays dividends for future success for not only the GLOW region but also globally."

"After putting three kids through school, John and I realize the fundamental importance of education and what it means to the future of our communities and families. Hosting this event is an opportunity for us to help many more students achieve their dreams for the future. There is nothing better than to support such a meaningful cause and have a great time while doing so," said Cathy Witkowski. "We are excited to bring back the positive side of the Roaring Twenties! We want everyone to join us for Putting on the Ritz on December 4, 2021!!"

John Witkowski has been President and Chief Executive Officer of the Independent Bankers Association of New York State (IBANYS) since 2014. IBANYS is the only trade association solely representing local, independent community banks in New York. He is a Director of the New York Business Development Corporation; ICBA Securities; the Genesee Community College Foundation and the Buffalo Bills Alumni Association.

Mr. Witkowski has extensive experience in the New York banking industry. He was President & CEO of Wyoming County Bank, and Regional President/EVP of Retail Banking at Five Star Bank where he oversaw small business development, mortgage operations, investment and fee-based services, and the retail branch network. Earlier in his career with Fleet and Bank of America, he developed strategic initiatives such as remote relationship management for small business customers. He also was President of JW Consulting Group, advising banks, small businesses, and entrepreneurs.

A native New Yorker, Mr. Witkowski earned a degree in Economics from Columbia University in New York City. As a student-athlete and quarterback of the football team, he was the winner of the 1982 Asa A. Bushnell Cup for leadership, competitive spirit, contribution to the team, and accomplishments on the field. He holds 12 passing records, six total offense marks, and five Ivy League records. After graduating and before beginning his banking career, he was selected by the Detroit Lions in the 1984 National Football League draft and played several seasons in the NFL and the World League of American Football.

Tompkins Financial Corporation will be the presenting sponsor for the fabulous Putting on the Ritz evening and has donated generously to this year's student scholarships.

"At Tompkins, local is at the heart of who we are, which is why we value the direct impact GCC has on our local community," said David S. Boyce, Tompkins Insurance President & CEO. "Thank you to GCC for its role in educating our future leaders and leading us to a better tomorrow."

Each year, GCC offers opportunities to sponsor the Encore event. These sponsorships are critically important to the scholarships GCC provides its students and are available at several levels this year: the High Roller Table - $1,500; the Rolls Royce Gild - $1,000; Studebaker Society - $600; and the Roadster Circle - $300. Each of these levels includes tickets (ten, six, four and 2 respectively) for the event. Of course, individual Platinum Patron Tickets are also available for $100 per person.

To help make a difference as a sponsor, please complete the online forms at www.gccfoundationinc.org/encore or contact the Foundation Office at (585) 345-6809, or foundation@genesee.edu today.

Press release:

Tops Friendly Markets, a leading full-service grocery retailer in New York, northern Pennsylvania, and Vermont, announced today that the company will once again offer military personnel and their immediate families an 11 percent discount off of their grocery bill this Veterans Day.

On Thursday, November 11, 2021, Tops Markets will honor an 11 percent discount off of a total order to all veterans and immediate family members in the same household, who shop at any Tops location.  Customers should present proof of service that they, or an immediate family member are a U.S. Veteran, active duty, reserve or retired military personnel to automatically receive an 11 percent discount off of their total purchase that day.

“The respect and gratitude we have for the people who serve and have served in the military is immeasurable, and for that we are forever grateful,” said Frank Curci, Tops chief executive officer and chairman.  “We wanted to support local military personnel by giving back to our associates and customers who have courageously defended our country and made many sacrifices through their military service.”

Tops is a longtime supporter of military associates and customers. Since the inception of the Tops 11% military discount, Tops has saved veterans and their families close to $576,000 on their groceries.  The company’s support of military organizations includes, but is not limited to, support of the Wall that Heals, American Veterans Tribute Traveling Wall, Honor Flight Missions and golf tournament, 10th Anniversary Veterans Race, sending care packages for troops serving domestically and overseas, VA hospital visits, participation in veteran job fairs, parades and expo, and Tops Stars for Our Troops program by which stars from embroidered US Flags slated for retirement are presented to Veterans, active-duty personnel, and first responders.

Press release:

The Batavia Business Improvement District hosted its fourth annual Scarecrow Contest for Downtown Batavia. As a creative way to add some more fall flavor to downtown decorating, the BID invited any business, organization or family to enter the contest. For $20 each business was provided basic supplies of straw, a post, and zip ties along with their pole assignment. Each business could then get creative in creating its scarecrow. All voting for favorite scarecrow ended Sunday, October 31st.

The First Place Winner for 2021 is Veterans Services! Shout out to Verna and everyone over at Veterans Services for the amazing job. They will be donating their winnings to WNY Heroes. (top photo)

Second Place Winner is Charles Mens Shop. They would like to thank the Notre Dame Art Club, Maia Zerillo and Jasmine Wessel for their assistance with the scarecrow this year. (second photo)

Third Place Winner is Eli Fish Brewing Co. (third photo)

First place winner receives $100 cash prize, second place $75, and third place $50. The BID would like to thank Home Depot for sponsoring the scarecrows and to our City of Batavia Fire Department for assembling the posts.

Press release:

In advance of the upcoming Veterans Day holiday, Genesee County announced that the Old County Courthouse at 7 Main St. would be illuminated green from Nov. 7-13 as part of Operation Green Light.

This is a new collaborative initiative to support veterans of all military conflicts, with a special emphasis on the veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, and to raise awareness about the challenges faced by many veterans and the resources that are available at the county, state, and federal level to assist veterans and their families. 

The collaborative was developed by the NYS Association of Counties and the NYS County Veteran Service Officers’ Association. 

“While the ending of the war in Afghanistan has refocused Americans’ attention on the immense sacrifice of America’s service men and women, it has also brought significant stress to many of the veterans who served in that conflict,” said Legislature Chair Rochelle M. Stein.  “We wanted to do something special this year to reach out to our veterans and let them know, that their service mattered and that we are grateful.”

In addition to lighting county buildings, residents are encouraged to participate by simply changing one light bulb in their house to a green bulb. This can be an exterior light that neighbors and passersby see, or an interior light that sparks a conversation with friends.

By shining a green light, we let veterans know that they are seen, appreciated, and supported. While this event is focused around the week of Veterans Day (November 7th-13th), participants are encouraged to continue shining the light year-round. 

Residents can share their participation on social media using the hashtag #OperationGreenLight.

“Operation Green Light is an opportunity to support our veterans and raise awareness about the challenges they face and say that if you’re a vet and your struggling, please reach out for assistance,” said NYSAC President Martha (Marte) Sauebrey. “We encourage everyone to join with us in displaying a green light for our veterans and to also to reach out the vets in your life to check in and let them know that you’re with them and that you have their back.”

Information and Resources available for Veterans please contact:

Veterans Service Agency, Genesee County Building #2, 3837 West Main Street Road, Batavia, NY 14020. Phone: 585-815-7905. Fax: 585-345-3085

Email: veterans@co.genesee.ny.us. Website: https://www.co.genesee.ny.us/departments/veterans/index.php

Press release:

Due to COVID-19 cases within the Genesee County Jail, Sheriff William A. Sheron Jr. is suspending all visitations effective at midnight tonight until Nov. 22, tentatively.

This is a precautionary measure to prevent the risk of exposure to the novel coronavirus to incarcerated individuals’ families and employees.  

Press release from Genesee County Manager Matt Landers:

As Genesee County Manager, I am pleased to present the 2022 recommended budget for the Genesee County Legislature to consider.  This budget funds County government in an efficient and responsible manner, while making key investments which will help deliver better service to the residents of Genesee County.  The recommended budget stays under the NYS tax cap, while covering a lengthy number of expensive State mandates of which we have little to no control.  Assembling a budget for the second year in a row dealing with a global pandemic and all of its uncertainties has certainly been a challenge, but the staff from the Manager’s Office, Treasurer’s Office, Legislative Office and Human Resources Department all came together to help me deliver my second recommended budget as County Manager.  These core central departments were instrumental in me being able to deliver a budget that stays under the tax cap while meeting the needs of the residents of Genesee County.

There is going to be a uniform theme over the next several County budgets with a consistent message coming from the Manager’s Office, which centers on the new County jail and the County’s constant race to keep water supply ahead of demand.  The County is embarking on two of the largest capital infrastructure projects in its history with a new County jail carrying a price tag of approximately $70 million and phase three of the County wide water system and its current projected price tag of $85 million.  These two projects are going to weigh heavily on the decisions made by the Manager’s Office and County Legislature for the foreseeable future, which is even evident in the 2022 proposed County budget.

County departments were instructed to once again do more with less, be creative and think outside the box in trying to keep their net County support impact to the same level as the 2021 budget.  This was a challenge considering health insurance premiums were once again increasing while spiking inflation and supply chain issues are causing vendor contracts to increase.  Despite these increases, I was pleased to see the majority of departments hold the line on spending, which helped greatly in delivering a budget that stays under the tax cap.

Budget Highlights  

The 2022 recommended All Funds budget for Genesee County totals $158,502,898, which is $15,298,219 more than the 2021 adopted All Funds budget.   The 2022 recommended General Fund (operating) budget is $119,394,176, which is $9,118,039 more than the 2021 adopted General Fund budget.  The majority of the increase in the All Funds budget is from Phase 2 water infrastructure expenditures, new hires in the Public Defender’s Office, Jail and Highway departments, strategic Information Technology department investments, increases in the Public Health budget for combatting COVID-19, and a reserve set aside to go towards the construction of the Genesee County jail that has a spring 2022 planned ground breaking.

I am proposing a property tax levy of $32,130,246, which is an increase of $678,519 or 2.16%.  For the median residential household in Genesee County with an assessed value of $122,935 this amounts to $24.33 of property taxes.  The average County property tax rate in Genesee County would go down from $9.80 to $9.37 or 4.39% in the recommended budget.  For the median residential household in Genesee County assessed at $122,935, that did not have an assessment change from 2021, this will result in a net tax decrease of $52.86.

The recommended budget includes usage of $1,396,675 of unappropriated fund balance, a decrease of $1,011,092 from the 2021 adopted County budget.  The budgeted fund balance utilization is in line with past budgets.

The 2022 recommended budget includes a continued commitment in increased funding for our roads and bridges infrastructure annually by $1 million.  Deferred maintenance on the County’s infrastructure is getting to a critical point and the cracks are showing, literally, as evidenced by recent bridge closures. This continued commitment of an extra $1 million is a big step in addressing the deferred maintenance of the County road and bridge infrastructure.

As we come out of the worst days of the pandemic the economy is showing positive signs of recovery, which is allowing the County to make long overdue improvements which will, in turn result in better service delivery to residents.  Some of these new positions are mandated, such as the four new corrections officers as part of the required transition team for the new County jail. Some of the positions are fully grant funded, such as the assistant public defenders and social worker in the Public Defender’s Office.  While the remaining are long overdue investments that a 21st century County government should make.  We are investing in new positions in Information Technology, Administration and the Highway Department.  In addition to these new positions, the budget reflects a full year cost of new positions created in the 2021 budget, but were only budgeted for a half year in 2021.  These new positions were established in the Human Resources Department, County Manager’s Office and the Veteran’s Department.        

Budget Challenges

While there were familiar challenges faced in this budget such as rising wages and healthcare costs along with the usual costly state mandates, two large issues looming for not only the 2022 budget but future budgets as well is the new Genesee County jail and the challenge for Genesee County to keep water supply ahead of demand through the construction of phase three of the County wide water system:

Health Insurance Cost Increases – Rising health care costs have caused a necessary 4.5% increase in plan premiums. 85% or more of that premium increase is absorbed in the various County departmental operating budgets, resulting in an overall healthcare cost increase in the 2021 recommended County budget. 

Wage Increases – Rising wages in every sector has made recruiting and retaining qualified and capable County employees more challenging.

Mandates – Approximately 81% of the 2022 recommended property tax levy is made up of State mandated expenditures to fund departments/programs such as Medicaid, Probation, the Jail, Public Defender’s Office, Assigned Counsel, Social Service programs, Mental Health, Early Intervention, 3-5 Preschool services, and various others.

New Genesee County Jail – Ground breaking for the long overdue new Genesee County Jail is planned for spring of 2022, and with it brings one of the largest capital projects in County history. With a projected all in price tag of approximately $70 million, the debt service estimates are approximately $3.5 million annually.  In addition to the debt service, projected increased operating costs are over $1 million annually.  While the majority of these fixed and operational increases will hit in the 2023 budget, the hiring of four new corrections officers, a new full time nurse at the jail and a new position in Facilities Maintenance are all being done in the 2022 budget and all of these positions are part of the projected operating cost increases for the jail.

Genesee County Water System, Phase 2, 3 & 4 – Genesee County is nearing completion of the $23+ million phase 2 of the County-wide water system, and is quickly designing the $85+ million phase 3 which should hopefully break ground in the next few years. Phase 3 includes bringing in enough water from Monroe County to close the City of Batavia water plant, which draws from a threatened source and has long outlived its useful life.  However, before the plant comes off-line, millions more have to be invested to ensure water supply keeps up with demand until phase 3 is complete.

County Responses to Budget Challenges

With the New York State tax cap in place, which penalizes Counties for enacting an override, options to meet the budget challenges are somewhat limited.  Genesee County has a long history of doing more with less, sharing wherever possible, privatizing operations, deferring needed capital improvements, modestly compensating employees, and providing virtually no post-employment benefits to staff.  After years of cutting to the bone the following actions were available to close the gap for the 2022 recommended budget:

• Fund Balance Utilization – The 2022 recommended budget utilizes $1,396,675 of fund balance.

• Raising the Tax Levy – The 2022 recommended budget raises the levy 2.16% in 2022, which continues Genesee County’s continued adherence to the New York State property tax cap.

Freezing Sales Tax with Towns & Villages – This decision was deliberated by the Legislature in great length. Taking into consideration the substantial capital projects facing the County, the burden of maintaining all of the bridges and culverts in the County, and the track record of making short sighted decisions because of budgetary constraints, the Legislature decided on a figure of $10,000,000 of sales tax to share with Towns and Villages for the remainder of the forty years sales tax sharing agreement with the City of Batavia.  While this amount is less than desirable for Towns and Villages, the County is still able to provide a solid baseline of funding over the next few decades that municipalities can safely budget from. 

Line by Line Review with New Perspective – With new eyes involved in the budget process the last two years there have been new ideas and solutions brought to the table that resulted in savings in various County departments. For the second year in a row I was accompanied by the Assistant County Manager and Executive Assistant in every budget meeting, a process that helps ensure no rock is left unturned. A closer dive into the individual budget lines resulted in significant budgetary savings when aggregated.  We were also able to utilize greater sharing of resources between departments to capture more state aid and reduce the net county share in several cases.

 In Closing

While I am pleased to present a budget that stays within the confines of the New York State Tax Cap and effectively lowers the property tax rate by $.43/1,000, I am not blind to the significant impact the proposed tax levy has on the citizens and businesses of Genesee County.  My time as County Manager has just recently begun and I pledge to work with local governments, community not-for-profits, the business community and local citizens on ways to spend these precious resources as efficiently as possible.

I want to give a special thanks to Vicky Muckle, Tammi Ferringer and Scott German in helping me to prepare this year’s budget.  While all three provided many hours of counsel and debate on how the budget should be structured, Vicky had the pleasure of making countless revisions to the budget and as the seasoned veteran in the office, ensured I stayed on task in delivering this balanced budget.  I also want to thank the Legislature and Chairwoman Stein for their guidance and feedback during this budget season.

I now turn the budget over to the Legislature for their consideration and eventual adoption.  I look forward to further discussion with both Legislators and the community at large, to ensure that the budget meets the needs of this community.