A New Mural In Avoca, To Be Seen For The First Time
In Avoca, there will be an unveiling of a mural this Friday, the event goes from 2pm-5pm . That’ ll be at 2 South Main Street in Avoca.  "Unveiling of the mural of Avoca painted on the side of the building at 2 S. Main Street, facing Chase St., officially commemorated at 2pm with local dignitaries and artist, Brian Buckley, on site to share details and inspiration of the mural," the Genesee Valley Agency said. "There will be live music from pianist Jeff Cifelli, hot food and drinks, and prints of the mural available at the event."

 

Steuben Co Statement On The 2025 County Budget

From County Spokesperson Ed VanStine:

 

Steuben County Manager Jack Wheeler presented the proposed 2025 county budget on Monday, November 12, 2024, in the Steuben County Annex Building Legislative Chambers. The presentation highlighted key fiscal priorities, including competitive wages, capital investment, tourism funding, and a balanced approach to managing local property taxes and sales tax revenue.

Key Budget Highlights:

Property Tax Levy and Tax Rate:

 The proposed 1.76% increase in the tax levy is approximately half of the allowable increase under the New York State property tax cap. However, despite the increase in the levy, the average tax rate per thousand is projected to decrease by 4.71% in 2025, marking the 12th consecutive year of reduced tax rates. Over the past decade, the county has successfully reduced the average full value tax rate by 27.53%, reflecting a long-term strategy to the tax burden on county residents while maintaining services.

Personnel Services: Competitive Market-Based Salaries

 One of the primary focuses in the 2025 budget is a competitive approach to recruiting and retaining personnel. The Steuben County Legislature has expressed a commitment to offering market-based salaries and benefits to attract top talent. Like most organizations, the county has experienced challenges filling vacant positions, and this budget prioritizes wage adjustments to recruit staff that provide critical services to residents.

Expense Drivers:

  The primary expense drivers for the 2025 budget are salary and wage adjustments, coupled with increases in Medicaid and other Social Services costs, which continue to represent significant fiscal challenges. Despite these pressures, the county is committed to maintaining local programs while fulfilling state-mandated services.

The 2025 Steuben County budget focuses on EMS, public safety and public works. After introducing supplemental EMS coverage in June 2024 with temporary part-time EMTs and paramedics, the county plans to transition some staff to permanent positions in 2025. In public works, the county has allocated $9.55 million for road construction projects to enhance infrastructure.

In presenting the budget, County Manager Jack Wheeler emphasized the county's commitment to fiscal responsibility and long-term stability: 

"The tax levy is projected to increase 1.76%, approximately half of the allowable tax cap, while the average tax rate per thousand will decrease by 4.71%. This is a responsible budget that balances the need to support county services and programs with the goal of minimizing the tax burden on our residents."

Total Expenses for 2025 to be budgeted at $259,696,215.

 

The Governor Enacts A Burn Ban - For All Of New York
Governor Kathy Hochul has got a statewide burn ban that’s in effect until November 30.  The governor says, over 5600 acres have been consumed by wildfires in Orange, Ulster and Sullivan Counties.

 

Woodhull Supervisor: All Of Our Downtown Is Still Open
Update on Woodhull: where the August Tropical Storm Debby remnants came through and hit Woodhull hard. For the business district things are much better than originally expected.  "The day that Tropical Storm Debby came through and flooded our downtown area, I talked with all the businesses," said Woodhull Town Supervisor Scott Grant.  "That day, I would have sworn that none of them would have come back.   As of today, they are all back and up and running."

Rep Tenney: Mobile Office Hours In Penn Yan
Republican Congresswoman Claudia Tenney is having mobile office hours in Penn Yan, on November 25, from 10am to 1am.  That’s at 417 Liberty Street in Penn Yan.  'During these mobile office hours, constituents can receive one-on-one assistance from members of Tenney’s team of expert caseworkers on issues regarding federal agencies such as the Veterans Administration, Social Security Administration, Internal Revenue Service, or Passport Agency," Tenney stated.  

"If you are interested in attending any of these mobile office hours with members of Tenney’s staff, please schedule an appointment by contacting Tenney’s District Office at (585) 869-2060 or walk in to receive assistance."

 

US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand: An Update On LIHEAP
Democrat US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand recently helped get $360 million dollars in federal funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. The senator will be holding a press conference today, to talk about the different ways for people to get some of that money.