ONONDAGA COUNTY – The start of 2024 brought change to the Onondaga County Legislature, as a new term began.
At the organizational session in early January, following a roll-call vote by all members, Clerk Jamie McNamara announced, “Legislator Burtis has been elected chair of the Onondaga County Legislature” before inviting him to come to the dais to take the chair.
Chairman Timothy T. Burtis made the short walk to his new seat as he was applauded by all those in the legislature’s chambers.
Once seated, he started by saying, “Thank you. I appreciate that and I look forward to a good term together and we’ll need to work at it together.”
“I’m honored to have been chosen by my peers” he said. “I bring a wealth of professional and personal experience with me to the role of chairman and I am excited about this opportunity to help move Onondaga County forward.”
Burtis has served on the legislature since 2015 and believes in that time, he’s learned a great deal about how things are handled and accomplished.
With the vote, he becomes the third Legislator from the 3rd District to serve as chairman.
1st District Legislator Brian May, who was re-elected as majority leader at the meeting, nominated Burtis for the position of chairman.
While doing so, he shared that the chairman sets and prioritizes the legislature’s agenda, ensures good legislative process, works alongside the county executive and serves as the face, voice and the leader of the legislature.
“Tim Burtis will do all of these things well” May said. “He’s been a stalwart member of this Legislature for several years now. He is virtuous. He is exceedingly fair and he stands by his beliefs and most importantly he stands by every vote he’s ever made. He will lead this body well.”
Legislator Debra Cody (5th District) seconded the nomination.
“I know that Tim’s leadership skills and his commitment to this body and this county will serve us all well” she said.
Burtis is looking forward to the work ahead of him.
He’s been in his office at the legislature each day since the vote, learning his new role and looking to the future.
“With the arrival of Micron, we are undergoing an incredible transition and transformation and I believe now is time for both parties to come together to work for the overall good of all our people” he said.
Burtis adds that the residents and business owners of the 3rd District shouldn’t be worried that they’re losing their voice at the legislature.
“I’m still yout representative and will continue working on your behalf” he said.
“An exciting few years are ahead and I’m glad to be at the helm of the Legislature and putting my stamp on our county’s history,: he added.
Follow the legislature on Facebook and Instagram: @OnondagaCountyLegislature.
Burtis makes committee appointments
The Onondaga County Legislature has six committees, which meet monthly.
Each has a chair, a vice chair and three to five members, and meetings give them a chance to learn the specifics of all the items which will come before them at Session meetings and to have their questions answered by county leaders.
The new chairman of the legislature, Timothy Burtis (3rd District), recently made his appointments to these committees for the 2024-2025 term.
Legislator Colleen Gunnip (4th District) steps into the role of chair of the Ways & Means committee.
“Because of its wide jurisdiction, Ways and Means has always been one of the most important committees with respect to impact on policy” she said. “I look forward to using my 35 years of governmental experience to guide the committee members to be the best fiscal stewards of our taxpayers money.”
Gunnip takes over the top spot from Republican Floor Leader Brian May (1st District) who becomes vice chair.
Legislator David Knapp (12th District) has been appointed chair of the Planning & Economic Development committee, after having served as vice chair in the past year.
This committee is especially busy as Onondaga County prepares for Micron Technology, which is building the largest semi-conductor facility in the world in the Town of Clay.
Legislator Kevin Meaker (2nd District), in the early days of his first term, has been appointed as vice chair.
Legislators Mark Olson (10th District) and Richard McCarron (11th District) continue as chair and vice chair, respectively, of the Public Safety committee.
They bring a wealth of first-hand knowledge, as Olson is a lifetime firefighter in Fayetteville and McCarron is a former Onondaga County sheriff’s deputy.
Both have proven to be fierce advocates for local first responders.
Legislator Cody Kelly (14th District) has been appointed chair of the Health & Human Services committee.
He’s served on it as a member since 2022 and calls the appointment an honor.
“As a physical therapist, I can offer real world experience witnessing some of our most pressing public health needs” he said. “I will work hard with my colleagues to improve outcomes and access to services throughout Onondaga County.”
Legislator McCarron joins the committee in the role of vice chair.
Kelly has also been appointed vice chair of the Environmental Protection Committee, which will continue to be chaired by Legislator Julie Abbott (6th District). Since taking the leadership role in 2022, she’s secured money for the Otisco Lake Preservation Association, deer and tick management, to fight invasive species on county waterways, and to upgrade and improve county sewer lines.
