(JOHNSON CITY, NY) Broome County Executive Jason Garnar delivered his 2020 State of the County address tonight at the new Broome County Workforce Development Center in Johnson City. The theme for Garnar’s address was “Broome Works.”
“The creation of this state-of-the-art workforce development center here in Johnson City is the prime example of how things work in Broome County. The county has made so much progress over the last few years and none of that would have been possible without a team approach,” said County Executive Garnar, “Our local economy is improving, and our county finances are stronger. We’re developing responsible budgets, working to grow our fund balance, and fighting to fill open jobs in our community to keep people here in Broome.”
Highlights of Garnar’s address included:
- Broome County Workforce Development
- Broome County is moving its Office of Employment and Training (OET) to the Oakdale Mall in the Village of Johnson City under the leadership of new OET Director Bob Murphy.
- Filling the 5,000 open jobs in Broome County is a top priority.
- Fixing Broome County’s Finances
- Since taking office Garnar has presented two straight property tax cuts, increased county reserves from just $250,000 to more than $6.5 million and reduced short term debt.
- Public Safety Highlights
- Broome County will soon have a brand-new communications network for emergency responders.
- Additional Sheriff’s deputies and Broome Security officers.
- Completion of a renovated 911 dispatch center and a brand-new emergency services training building.
The County Executive also highlighted more than 100 initiatives he has launched since taking office in 2017.
The County Executive also touted the county’s continued strong working relationship with municipal leaders including everything from his Small Community Grant Fund to the demolition of blighted properties.
This was County Executive Garnar’s fourth State of the County address as Broome County Executive. Again, this year, he and his staff will be taking the State of the County on the road to municipalities in Broome County. The full schedule will be released this week.
