Schuyler sees a bump in sales tax

SCHUYLER COUNTY--After passing more than 30 resolutions - ranging from amending the 2023 budget for salaries to approving the settlement agreements under a lawsuit related to the opioid crisis - Schuyler County Legislators heard updates from County Administrator Fonda Chronis.
With early sales tax numbers in for quarter one, Chronis said sales tax revenue is trending upward, currently sitting at a 13 percent increase year to date. Final numbers for quarter one are expected shortly.
Chronis also shared that efforts to secure federal reimbursement for the newly established ambulance program were unsuccessful, however plans to try again next year are already in motion. Also regarding funding, he noted that the Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) cycle is expected to open sometime in May, a process that invites the county and municipalities to apply for grant money. Planning is underway at the county level. Thanks to additional staffing in the county's planning office, Chronis expects they can help municipalities prepare grant applications for "shovel-ready, not dream-ready" projects.
Chronis also sought input regarding a request from the CSEA union to recognize Juneteenth as a holiday in 2023. Chronis indicated that his position was to deny the request, noting that this is a negotiable item and should be discussed during contract negotiations. Legislators agreed with Chronis' position.
Finally, Chronis shared a training opportunity for county employees in partnership with Corning Community College. The training will help "newly minted supervisors and those who are eligible for promotion into supervisory roles" prepare to handle leadership and managerial responsibilities. Six personnel have been identified and will begin the training soon. Thanks to a SUNY grant, tuition for the program is subsidized, with the total enrollment for all employees coming in at less than $300.