December 2019 Meeting Highlights:
Health – The Legislature unanimously voted to accept additional grant money from the New York State Department of Health for Drinking Water Enhancement Programs. This funding is essential for assessing and identifying issues affecting the quality of drinking water in the County.
Criminal Justice Reform – At the November meeting, the legislature unanimously approved two resolutions, urging Governor Cuomo and the NYS legislature to review and reconsider the 2020 criminal justice reform and appropriate the necessary funding for the additional costs the county will incur by complying with the newly mandated legislation.
In December the County held the first of three forums to inform the residents of the impact this new legislation will have on public safety.
Social Services – The December meeting included many contract renewals for mandated Social Services programs with local agencies to provide support services ranging from family assistance, foster care, domestic violence, trauma assessment, secure and non-secure juvenile detention including the new Raise the Age (RTA) mandate to name a few.
Raise the Age (RTA) – On another note in October, New York State notified Rensselaer County that the RTA plan, after several modifications, was approved and that the County will receive reimbursement for the funding of personnel and other necessary expenses in the departments of Probation, Mental Health, Social Services, Youth, Employment & Training and Jail.
Cornell Cooperative Extension – The support of Federal, State and County funding is essential for the continued success of locally governed county cooperative extension associations. This funding has remained stagnant for 20 years; therefore a resolution was unanimously adopted to request an increase in financial support from New York State.
NEXT MEETING – Tuesday, January 14, 2020 in the Rensselaer County Chambers located on the 3rd floor of the Ned Pattison Government Center, 1600 7th Avenue, Troy.
Residents are welcome to contact our office at 270-2890.
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