"GORDON MAKES MOTION TO CUT 10"
February 8th 2012
The Oneida County Board of Legislators Wednesday approved a measure that would reduce its size by six members, from 29 to 23.
If the public approves the measure in a referendum this November, the change would go into effect in the next term, which starts in 2014, and save the county $50,208.
The 15-13 vote came after a rollercoaster-style meeting.
Earlier in the meeting, a proposal from Legislator David Gordon, D-New Hartford, for a 10-member reduction was defeated in a 14-14 tie.
After the meeting, County Executive Anthony Picente said he likely would approve the six-member reduction, though he would wait until after a required public hearing to decide. The hearing must take place within 30 days of Wednesday’s vote.
“I, like many of my colleagues on the floor, would have preferred the 10-member reduction,” he said.
Still, he said, he would prefer to see a six member cut than none at all.
