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(VESTAL, NY) Broome County Executive Jason Garnar, Broome County Legislature Chairman Daniel J. Reynolds, and Broome County Director of Purchasing Robin Laabs announced details about new legislation that will improve procurement practices and allow more contracting with Broome County businesses.

During the June legislative session, the Broome County Legislature voted unanimously to pass a local law allowing the use of Best Value Award. This provides additional procurement options to expedite the purchasing process, resulting in cost savings and access to local businesses via national cooperative contracts without going out for competitive bid.

“This is a great step for Broome County. By using aggregate purchasing power, it will save taxpayer dollars and allow the County to make more local purchases,” said Broome County Executive Jason Garnar. “Thank you to the Broome County Legislature for helping make this happen.”

“This Local Law is the latest step we’ve taken to promote our local business community and I was happy to support it,” said Chairman Daniel J. Reynolds. “The initiative will provide local businesses with the opportunity to secure County business and keep our tax dollars local.”

This new procurement tool will make Broome County government’s purchasing more effective and efficient. Best Value Award provides the opportunity for the County to “piggyback” on bids led by national cooperatives and other government agencies that have awarded contracts through the best value solicitation and award method, opening procurement options which previously had been unavailable to the County.

(CONKLIN) There will be closures on Conkling Kirkwood Road (CR 177) on Saturday, June 29^th, to accommodate Broome County Department of Public Works paving operations. 

The road closure is scheduled to begin at 6:00 AM on Saturday, June 29, 2019 and reopen to traffic on or about 6:00 PM the same day. 

All local traffic will need to seek alternate routes while the road is closed.  Detour routes utilizing area roads will be signed by Broome County Highway Department Personnel.  

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this scheduled road closure, please feel contact Tom Sullivan with the Broome County Department of Public Works at (607) 778-2496 or thomas.sullivan@broomecountyny.gov.

(BINGHAMTON, NY) Broome County Executive Jason Garnar and Sue Brown, Highway Commissioner released the following highway work planned for the week beginning July 1:

• Division will be striping County roadways with paint truck.
• Our mow crew will continue mowing the Right of Way along County Roadway system.
• Guiderail repair will continue along Broome County roadways.
• We will be patching on Colesville, Saddlemire and Old State Roads.
• The Division will perform grader patching Caldwell Hill Road.
• The Division will be working on drainage on Park Ave and Bevier Street.
• The Division will be ditching on Powderhouse Road and Old Route 17.

(BINGHAMTON, NY) Broome County outlines restrictions for the upcoming WWE Live event at the Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena

“We encourage everyone to come and enjoy the show,” said Broome County Executive Jason Garnar. “Be mindful, WWE has a list of items that people cannot bring into the Arena and we want to let you know in advance, so you can go quickly through security and not miss any of the excitement.”

First, as required by the WWE, everyone entering the Arena will be required to go through a metal detector, so you are asked to take that into consideration when planning your evening and arrive early.

Items restricted by the WWE include:

• Bags larger than 14 by 14 by 6
• Backpacks and Briefcases
• Women’s purses (small clutch bags are allowed)
• Video Cameras and Recording devices
• Laser Pointers or Noise Makers
• Weapons of any kind
• Alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs or paraphernalia
• Selfie Sticks
• Lap top computers or tablets
• Coolers
• Luggage of any kind
• Camera Bags
• Masks (only WWE brand masks will be permitted)

Any items brought into the Arena can be carried in clear plastic bags.

“In keeping these added precautions in mind, we are asking everyone to arrive early so you can get through security quickly and not miss any of the action,” said Director of Security James Dadamio. “We will have ample security staff in place to ensure a smooth entry into the building.”

Also, parking for the event will be available under Government Plaza. The entrance is on Isbell Street. Parking is $4 per car.

WWE Live is this Sunday, July 7 at 7:00 p.m. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m.

(TOWN OF DICKINSON, NY) Broome County Executive Jason Garnar has announced that he will be appointing Dr. Jason Andrews, Superintendent of the Windsor Central School District, to the Broome Community College Board of Trustees.

“Dr. Jason Andrews has made a big difference in Broome County bringing innovative and new ideas to the Windsor Central School District,” said Broome County Executive Jason Garnar. “His placement on this board will only continue to foster educational growth in Broome County and help in molding our young minds.”

Dr. Andrews has served as Superintendent of the Windsor CSD since January of 2006. Prior to that, he served as a high school teacher, coach, co-curricular advisor and Middle School Principal in the district.

“I am honored to be nominated by the County Executive to serve as a trustee on the SUNY Broome Board. This is an incredible opportunity to enhance the already strong partnerships between local school districts and SUNY Broome. I look forward to serving the community in this role,” said Dr. Jason Andrews.  

As superintendent, Dr. Andrews has focused on systemic implementation of Professional Learning Communities as the vehicle to ensure student learning and a culture of continuous improvement. This has led to in an impressive rise in student achievement in Windsor resulting in numerous distinctions and accolades including being named the 2019 New York State Superintendent of the Year.

Dr. Andrews has overseen more than $60 million in improvements to facilities in the Windsor Central School District. The district is currently in the midst of a $15.7 million capital project which is providing safety upgrades, a state-of-the-art multi-purpose athletic field and a STEAM wing in the high school. Under his leadership the district has earned several statewide and national honors. 

Dr. Andrews is also the Co-Director of SUNY Oswego’s Superintendent’s Development Program and is an Adjunct Professor at the Graduate School of Education at Binghamton University. Dr. Andrews currently serves on the Executive Committee for the NYS Council of School Superintendents, the NYS Education Commissioner’s Advisory Council, and the National Center for Educational Research and Technology National Board and is a charter member of the Institute for Innovation. He also serves on numerous community boards and committees with an emphasis on issues related to workforce development and poverty.

Dr. Andrews received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science and Secondary Social Studies from SUNY Cortland, a Master of Science in Education degree from the University of New England, a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Educational Administration from SUNY Cortland and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership at Sage Graduate School in Albany, NY.  

Garnar’s appointment of Dr. Andrews must be approved by the Broome County Legislature. The resolution has been submitted to be considered by legislators in July. On the board, Dr. Andrews will complete the unfilled term of George Akel who passed away earlier this year.

(BINGHAMTON, NY) Broome County Executive Jason Garnar and Sue Brown, Highway Commissioner released the following highway work planned for the week beginning July 8:

• Division will be striping County roadways with paint truck.
• Our mow crew will continue mowing the Right of Way along the County Roadway system.
• Guiderail repair will continue along Broome County roadways.
• We will continue patching on roadways.
• The Division through a service contract will be performing a paving project on Park Avenue (From Stevens Rd. to Hawleyton Rd) on 7/10
• The Division will perform grader patching on Caldwell Hill Road.
• The Division will be ditching on West Chenango Rd and Park Avenue

• The Division will be milling Reynolds Rd (From EAST MAINE TO TWINING) on 7/10 and 7/11. Paving to be performed week of 7/15
• The Division will be milling East Maine Rd (From SMITH HILL TO LINDA) on 7/10 and 7/11.  Paving to be performed week of 7/15

(CONKLIN, NY) Broome County Executive Jason Garnar was joined by County Legislators and members of the Broome County Department of Planning and Economic Development Wednesday to announce Broome County is participating in the New York State Climate Smart Communities program. The program offers municipalities technical assistance, leadership recognition, and funding for implementation of projects to improve resiliency, efficiency of services, and efficiency of infrastructure.

“Our Broome County Departments have already done great work to improve our community’s sustainability, demonstrating our status as a leader in this area,” said Broome County Executive Jason Garnar. “Participation in this program allows us to be recognized for that leadership and empowers County staff and officials to continue working toward the common goals of improving efficiency, reducing present and future flood risk, continuing to lead the way in solid waste management, addressing brownfield sites, fostering an innovative economy and supporting agriculture.”

The County has identified several priority projects that are eligible for Climate Smart Communities funding to improve flood resiliency and to upgrade Broome County infrastructure to meet state and federal requirements to improve overall efficiency.

Identified projects include:

• Upgrading HVAC at County facilities to more efficient systems
• Installation of advanced monitoring at County flood control structures
• Drainage improvements in Deposit to mitigate flooding in the Village.

The Climate Smart Communities program provides opportunities to fund a significant portion of project costs. Costs for identified priority projects including the improvements to flood control infrastructure and upgrades to facility cooling systems total nearly $4 million.

Flooding is a concern in Broome County and can endanger our infrastructure, economy and livelihoods, as well as posing harms to local agriculture, and a health threat to county residents.

Broome County has already demonstrated leadership in energy efficiency, waste reduction, community resilience and renewable energy. Investments through the Climate Smart Communities program to improve energy efficiency, resiliency and waste management efficiency may save money for taxpayers and result in more resilient, livable communities and foster a vibrant, innovation-based economy.

The New York State Climate Smart Communities Pledge is comprised of the ten following elements:

• Build a climate-smart community
• Inventory emissions, set goals, a plan for climate action
• Decrease energy use
• Shift to clean, renewable energy
• Use climate-smart materials management
• Implement climate-smart land use
• Enhance community resilience to climate change
• Support a green innovation economy
• Inform and inspire the public

Engage in an evolving process of climate action

(BINGHAMTON, NY) Broome County Executive Jason Garnar and Director of Management and Budget Jerome Knebel announced today that Broome County’s unassigned fund balance has increased to $6.5 million.

Since taking office in 2017 Broome County Executive Jason Garnar has worked tirelessly to restore the County’s finances after coming into office to a nearly depleted fund balance.

In the 2017 fiscal year the fund balance increased from $255,000 to $4.1 million. The audited unassigned fund balance is $6.5 million at the end of 2018, another one-year increase of more than $2 million.

“We continue to increase our fund balance, and it is now 25 times bigger than it was when I took office,” said County Executive Garnar. “This is thanks to cost-cutting measures and working together with our departments. As we look to 2020 Broome County is continuing to head in the right direction as we work to restore and maintain our finances.”

The County Executive’s 2019 Budget was unanimously passed by the Legislature, maintaining critical services and programs, investing in public safety, and introducing new workforce development initiatives. That budget included a tax cut, the first one in over a decade. The last time an Executive presented a proposed tax cut was in 2004 (dating back to the 2005 proposed budget).

In 2018 S&P Global Ratings also affirmed its A+ long-term bond rating on Broome County, with a stable outlook. In its analysis included with the A+ rating affirmation, the agency cited the county’s significant increase in fund balance from 2016 to 2017 and in part, the County Executive’s actions to improve county finances.

County Executive Garnar is thankful to the Broome County Legislature for working with the Executive’s Office on two great budgets for 2018 and 2019, and now looks forward to another one for 2020. 

“This is the power of partnerships, rolling up our sleeves and working together to build a better Broome County,” Garnar said. “I thank the members of the County Legislature and my colleagues in county and local government for their shared commitment to Broome County, and I look forward to working with our departments and legislators in the coming months as we work toward creating and adopting this budget for 2020.”

The process of crafting the 2020 budget for Broome County is currently underway. Departments are presenting their budgets to the Executive and Office of Management and Budget. In September, the County Executive will deliver his 2020 budget to the Legislature for consideration.

(VESTAL, NY) Broome County Executive Jason Garnar and Willow Point Rehabilitation and Nursing Center Administrator Ryan LaClair made an announcement Wednesday about the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services improved star rating for Willow Point. Willow Point has been upgraded to a three-star facility.

“Willow Point is committed to improvements and it is showing,” said Broome County Executive Jason Garnar. “Our team lead by Ryan LaClair, who I brought in less than two years ago, is doing an outstanding job with motivating his staff and bringing in fresh, new ideas to improve the quality of care. We are going to continue to work together and keep moving forward to make this facility the best that it can be.”

“The Legislature is excited to hear that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have seen the many improvements made at Willow Point and have issued an enhanced three-star rating to our local facility,” said Legislature Chairman Dan J. Reynolds. “It’s important that we provide suitable programs and services to our County’s aging residents and, with the help of the nursing home’s dedicated staff, we are committed to continue advancing facility improvements along with the quality of care to its residents.”

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issues star ratings to every long-term care facility in the U.S. that accepts Medicare and Medicaid. The overall rating is based on three components, health survey, staffing, and quality measures. The health survey is conducted by New York state annually. Willow Point’s health survey was recently completed, and the county notes that the facility did very well, a big contributor to the rating improvement. 

“No public rating system can begin to describe the level of care provided by any Skilled Nursing Facility,” said Administrator Ryan LaClair. “We are grateful to see the hard work of our caring staff recognized with this improvement and I urge everyone who needs or may need skilled nursing care to visit our facility to see with their own eyes the quality of care we provide. As an employee of Willow Point Rehabilitation and Nursing Center I can proudly state that our facility is a great place to live and work and I would be happy to bring my own loved one here.”

Willow Point has seen big improvements in the varying categories and continues to strive to recognize all the employees for their hard work as well as their dedication to providing the best possible care to its residents.