Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Livingston County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
48 issues
New EMS Ambulance Purchase
A $200,000 state grant for a new county ambulance was added to capital accounts, boosting EMS equipment.
2027 Livingston County Budget
The county's health insurance costs could jump 32% in 2027 after an 18% rise last year, and state Tier 6 pension enhancements add unknown costs. Sales tax is running $1.2 million ahead of last year, which may soften the blow.
PILOT Agreements with Avon Bess A and Avon Bess B LLC
Two PILOT agreements scheduled for authorization would provide payment-in-lieu-of-taxes arrangements with Avon Bess A LLC and Avon Bess B LLC, affecting how much tax revenue the properties generate.
Agricultural District Modifications (303-B Additions)
The board was scheduled to hold a public hearing and vote on adding parcels to Agricultural Districts #2 and #3. These designations protect farmland and support the county's agricultural economy.
Interoperable Communications Agreement with Allegany County
A $1.03 million state grant will replace radio system routers, protect the backup 911 center with a whole-building UPS, and add translation and multimedia tools to 911 dispatch. Rural dead zones get a deployable communications unit for multi-agency responses.
Health Department WIC Staffing and Preparedness Grant
The Health Department sought two new WIC positions required by the state, plus authorization of a $1.05 million federal emergency preparedness grant contract.
New Disabled Veterans Exemption
Discussion of the newly created disabled veterans property tax exemption and how it will be applied — this could lower property tax bills for eligible veteran households.
Replacement Ambulance Purchase
The county's Emergency Medical Services department sought approval of a $185,000 bid for a new Demers ambulance — part of keeping the county's emergency response fleet current.
Sale of Tax-Foreclosed Parcels
The county fixed September 15 as the last day to redeem foreclosed property and the first Thursday of November at 6 p.m. as the annual auction date — important for anyone at risk of losing property over back taxes.
Assistant County Attorney position for Social Services merger
A new full-time Assistant County Attorney job at $90,000-$120,000 was created because of the merger of the Department of Social Services attorney function. It affects legal staffing for county social services cases.
Winter road maintenance agreement with Ontario County
Ontario County will plow a short stretch of County Road 36A in Springwater this winter for $3,696, keeping that road clear under an inter-municipal deal.
Unemployment insurance system transition
The state's unemployment insurance platform will go down next week as it migrates to a new system, and nearby workforce offices will close — but Livingston County's office will stay open to keep helping residents.
Revolutionary Pours tourism campaign and Visit LivCo app
The county's brewery-trail app campaign is driving big gains in downloads and July 3rd visitation, sending visitor spending to local breweries, restaurants and shops. A Family Fest on August 22 will extend the strategy to families with a digital scavenger hunt.
Auditorium upgrade engineering funding
The county moved about $17,600 into its auditorium upgrade project to cover preliminary engineering work — an early step in the facility's improvement.
Broadband buildout costs climbing
The state gave the county a six-month extension on its ARPA-funded broadband infrastructure project, relieving pressure to finish by year-end.
Mental health staffing shortage
Director Sarah McCumiskey resigns October 16, and Jennifer Rodriguez steps in as interim director with a $275 weekly stipend until a permanent hire is made.
2026 Budget Process Underway
Sales tax receipts came in at $3.2 million this week — up 5% year-to-date. The state session ended with possible piggybacking authority and a data center moratorium awaiting the Governor, and deputy county administrator interviews begin next week.
Lead poisoning prevention awareness
The county proclaimed Lead Poisoning Prevention Week and accepted a $202,100/year state grant for its childhood lead prevention program — significant because 64% of county homes predate 1978 and may contain lead paint.
Winter snow and ice costs exceeded estimates by $636K
The brutal 2025-26 winter pushed the county's state-road snow removal costs to $1.33 million — about $636,000 over the estimate. The board signed a supplemental agreement with the state to reconcile the bill.
Dansville Affordable Housing Grant Award
The county won a state infrastructure grant with partner DePaul to build 60 affordable and supportive housing units in the Village of Dansville — one of only seven awards in the Finger Lakes region.
Health Department Salary Range Increase
The county raised the Deputy Director of Community Mental Health Services pay range to $82,000-$103,000 to compete for qualified candidates. This affects mental health services staffing.
Livingston County Museum Building Project
The Historical Society's $1.4 million expansion is underway — new collection storage, better exhibit flow, climate control, and a restored 1838 cobblestone wall. It's 90-plus percent funded and set to open in 2027.
Mileage reimbursement increase
County mileage reimbursement rose to 76 cents a mile effective July 1, 2026, which raises travel costs but keeps pace with IRS-style rates for employees driving on county business.
Nursing home EMR system replacement
The county nursing home is getting a new electronic medical records system from PointClickCare for roughly $682,000 over three years, paid from the nursing home's own budget.
Leicester regional water supply expansion
The county will pay the Water and Sewer Authority directly — up to $5.46 million from Akzo Nobel settlement funds — for water infrastructure in the Town of Leicester tied to the Retsof salt mine collapse.
Ethics and Disclosure Law overhaul (Local Law D-2026)
The Board adopted the first comprehensive update to the county ethics code since 2018, adding a full-time Compliance Officer, annual financial disclosure statements, a $75 gift cap, and post-employment restrictions for county officials and employees.
Childhood cancer in Livingston County
The county proclaimed September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month — 44 local kids have been diagnosed since October and four have died.
Medicaid overpayment dispute at CNR
The nursing home is disputing $953,550 of a $955,461 Medicaid overpayment claim from a state audit; state LTC audits are paused while the state revises its criteria.
Suicide prevention efforts
September is Suicide Prevention Month in the county, with a community vigil on September 10 at AL Lorenz Park.
Public defense modernization
A one-time $258,000 state grant will buy equipment and system upgrades to modernize the Public Defender and Conflict Defender offices.
Measles in the community
Health officials discussed measles cases present in local communities.
Climate Smart Communities participation rejected
The committee voted down both the state climate certification application and the required pledge, after members worried the program's listed requirements could tie the county down. The county believes it already qualifies for bronze certification, but will not apply for now.
SNAP administrative cost shift to counties
Starting October 1, the federal government is shifting 25 percent of SNAP administrative costs onto counties, raising the county share from 50 to 75 percent. Officials are pushing for a two-year delay, but budget impacts are coming.
Statewide data center moratorium executive order
The Governor signed an executive order putting up to a one-year moratorium on data center construction across New York, pre-empting a pending budget bill. The biggest local impact would have been a large project planned in neighboring Genesee County.
Deputy Sheriff's Association contract ratification
The Board ratified the new deputy sheriff contract covering 2026 through 2029; the union approved it in June. This locks in pay and working conditions for the sheriff's patrol ranks.
Vasquez v. Livingston County lawsuit
The county is hiring outside counsel at up to $450/hour to defend a federal lawsuit over tax foreclosure and surplus funds — a case that could have implications for how the county handles foreclosures.
Dog licensing at county Dog Control
Dogs picked up or adopted through county Dog Control can now be licensed on the spot, cutting delays in getting dogs back to owners after hours or on weekends.
Conesus Lake watershed protection
The county will apply for state grant money to help watershed towns update erosion and land-use rules to fight weed and algae problems in Conesus Lake.
Indigent burial fee increase
For the first time since 2023, the county raised reimbursement rates for indigent burials — cremation to $2,600, burial to $5,000 — with 3% annual increases going forward.
Lease of county space to Town of Geneseo
The county will lease 7,500 square feet at 4630 Millennium Drive to the Town of Geneseo for about $6,274 a month, bringing rental revenue to the county.
Aurora Renewables solar project notice
Aurora Renewables filed its official notice of intent to build a solar energy system, which under state law affects tax-exemption treatment. No board action was taken.
Notice of claim: Connor D. Copp vs. Town of Livonia and Livingston County
The county received a notice of claim in a lawsuit naming the Town of Livonia and the county — the first step in potential litigation.
CDBG grant applications for two Geneseo coffee shops
The county is asking the state for up to $200,000 total (two $100,000 grants) to help open Linden Coffee and expand Cosmic Charlie in Geneseo. The grants come with new full-time jobs promised within two years.
Fish and Wildlife Management update
Livingston County led the GLOW region with 6,742 deer taken in 2025. The state may require taking a doe before extra buck tags, and the board is struggling to recruit new board members.
Downtown Partnership 20-year retrospective and coordinator retirement
Louise Wadsworth is retiring after 20 years as Downtown Coordinator. Her farewell review tallied 21 NY Main Street grants, 574 small grants, nine murals and $20.4 million in public-private investment in the county's nine downtown districts.
State budget delay and Tier 6 pension reform
New York still hasn't adopted its state budget, and a deal on Tier 6 pension reform means the state won't fully absorb the costs — counties like Livingston are waiting to see the local impact. Key standalone bills, including extension of piggybacking authority, must pass before June 4.
Child Advocacy Center coming to Livingston County
Right now, kids who've experienced abuse have to travel out of county for forensic interviews and medical exams. The new center at 138 Fourth Street will bring those services — plus free trauma-informed therapy and a caring closet — close to home, with services starting in the coming weeks.
Water tower repair
The county's water tower will get OSHA-required repairs and preventative maintenance under a new contract of up to $310,000.