Onondaga County

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Onondaga County Legislature met this week, authorizing various projects and resolutions, including a resolution authorizing the Legislature to retain outside counsel and pursue litigation related to the county’s term limits local law, currently blocked by the Board of Elections.

Term Limits Litigation Authorization

By a vote of 10-7, the Legislature adopted a resolution authorizing itself to retain counsel and, if necessary, commence litigation against the Onondaga County Board of Elections in addition to any other actions related to the term limits local law. The resolution does not itself commence litigation; it grants the Legislature the option to pursue legal action if leadership determines it is necessary.

Chairwoman Watts said the litigation would seek to accomplish two things:

• First, ask a court to determine which of two conflicting documents transmitted by the County Executive’s office on July 16 is legally operative under the County Charter (which only a judge can do); and
• Second, if the local law adopted by the Legislature is confirmed as controlling, ask the court to compel the Board of Elections to place the measure on the November ballot, as the Charter requires.

Several legislators spoke in support of the resolution, describing the actions required of the Board of Election Clerk as ministerial or administrative. Other legislators, the Minority Caucus specifically, presented yet another 12-year term limit proposal that would circumvent the Board of Elections’ approval by not requiring a referendum. The proposal stirred concerns about 1) rewriting laws to navigate the Board of Elections’ refusal to perform its legal duties and 2) the consequences of passing a law without voters having a voice at the ballot.

“We all take an oath to uphold the law,” said Chairwoman Watts while addressing the legislature. “What is to stop [Board of Elections] commissioners in the future from making their own determinations on the law?”

The new proposal by Leg. Kelly (District 14) will likely be discussed during August Committee meetings. It does not affect the Legislature’s ability to engage in legal action. 

Other Legislative Actions Approved by the Legislature

The Legislature also unanimously passed the following items through broad bipartisan votes during the August session:

• Canal Trail Project (Sponsored by Leg. Ryan): Authorized Onondaga County to serve as lead agency for the Erie Canalway Trail Salina Extension Project (Phases 1 and 2) under the State Environmental Quality Review Act and accepted a negative declaration for the project.
• Water Authority Appointment (Sponsored by Leg. Watts): Confirmed the appointment of Madeline Nyblade, Assistant Professor at SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry, to the Onondaga County Water Authority.
• Establish Accessibility Council (Sponsored by Leg. Watts): Repealed a 1980 resolution and established the Onondaga County Accessibility Council, replacing a prior council for people with disabilities that had become inactive in 1999.
• Traffic Signal Transfer (Sponsored by Leg. Bush): Authorized the transfer of a traffic control signal at Gaspee Avenue and West Genesee Street in the Town of Camillus from the town to the county for maintenance and repair purposes, under the Municipal Home Rule Law.
• 2027 Budget Public Hearing (Sponsored by Leg. Brown): Called for a public hearing on the 2027 county budget, to be held October 1, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
• Justice Center Oversight Appointment (Sponsored by Leg. Garland): Confirmed the appointment of Bonnie Gal-Levy, who specializes in criminal law, divorce, and family law, to the Onondaga County Justice Center Oversight Committee, filling a term through December 31, 2028.
• Good Food New York Resolution (Sponsored by Leg. Block and Knapp): Adopted a resolution calling on the New York State Legislature and Governor to pass and sign the Good Food New York bill (S7638-B/A9138-B), which would allow municipalities to adopt values-based food procurement standards.