Board meetings are held on the second and fourth Wednesday each month at 1:30 p.m. except when such days fall on a holiday, in which event the meeting shall be held on the day following. In the months of November and December, the meeting shall be held on the Wednesday preceding Thanksgiving and Christmas week.
Structure & Function
The Board of Supervisors consists of 17 county-elected officials serving as your representatives at the county level. The term for each supervisor is based on the term set by each particular town. A supervisor holds office for either two or four years.
Agenda
The order of business is as follows:
- Roll Call
- Pledge of Allegiance
- Approval of Minutes
- Public Hearings
- Communications
- Introduction of Local Laws
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- Abstract of Claims
- Privileges of the Floor
- Unfinished Business
- Preferred Agenda
- Resolutions
- Other Business Adjournment
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Abstract of Claims
The board is responsible for approving all claims paid by the county, as recommended and submitted by the County Auditor. The Abstract of Claims is approved twice a month.
Privileges of the Floor
Privileges of the floor may be extended to appropriate individuals and parties by the chairman of the Board of Supervisors.
Preferred Agenda
A preferred agenda may be presented at any regular session of the Board of Supervisors. That agenda shall be limited to resolutions of a routine and non-financial nature (advisory board appointments, providing for public hearings, proclamations, authorizing conveyance, etc.) The preferred agenda, as such, shall be voted upon by a single roll call vote.
Resolutions & Local Laws
A local law or resolution generally is brought before the board by a standing committee. Each standing committee is appointed by the Chairman of the Board and includes a chairman and vice chairman. Each committee is composed of seven members. Each county department head is responsible to a particular committee. Generally, the committees meet once a month.
Action Item Approvals
If a department head has an action item, he/she presents it to his/her committee. If approved, the action item is turned into a formal resolution and each resolution is brought before the entire board for a vote. By state law, each town has a weighted vote determined by the population of the town. Each weighted vote is noted by the town under the listing of the Board of Supervisors. After approval by the board, the Clerk of the Board sends certified copies to appropriate personnel and the department head takes any appropriate action.
Executive Session
Executive sessions are closed to the public. The board is allowed to meet in executive session only when discussing issues authorized under Section 105 of the Public Officers Law. The board is not permitted to vote on any resolution which appropriates public money while in executive session.