Oneida County Board of Legislators vote to reduce size, public will vote on referendum
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WKTV News
Story Created:
Feb 8, 2012 at 7:51 PM EDT
Story Updated:
Feb 8, 2012 at 7:51 PM EDT
UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - The Oneida County Board of Legislators voted 15-13 Wednesday night to cut the Oneida County Legislature by 6 seats, the majority agreeing that reducing the board to 23 members is forward thinking.
"We're looking to the future and that's a downsized government and consolidating," says Legislator George Joseph. "How can we ever ask the towns to do likewise if we can't do it with our own government here?"
Before the vote, Legislator Dave Gordon made an amendment to reduce the board even more, cutting 10 legislator seats, leaving the board with 19 legislators. This vote was defeated, however many legislators said they would sponsor the greater cut to cut more expenses and be more efficient.
"You're closest to the people, you're going to have to come to more meetings, and the fact is 29 is a little cumbersome as far as a board," says Board Chairman Gerald Fiorini. "I mean Syracuse has 17 legislators and is much bigger than this county, a smaller group would be better for the whole community."
It's estimated the downsize would save the county around $50,000, but some legislators believe the money isn't worth the changes.
"Just based on the math of the numbers with 45 jurisdictions in Oneida County, cutting it by 6 people would make 6 legislators take care of Utica, 3 take care of Rome, and only leave 14 legislators to take care of the other 42 jurisdictions in Oneida County, that's a lot," says Legislator Mike Clancy.
Now the vote will move to a public referendum in the fall, and if the public votes to cut the 6 legislator seats, then the district lines will be redrawn.
Before any business was taken care of, James Murphy was sworn in as 29th district legislator to replace Patricia Hudack who died this past December.
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