Cortland County Legislature

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Cortland County Legislature

The Cortland County Legislature is the governing body that establishes policies and procedures. The legislature encourages community involvement on the posts.

This page is intended to keep the residents of the County up-to-date about the Cortland County Legislature and Cortland County events and information. However, pursuant to the Cortland County Social Media Policy, any inappropriate posts are subject to removal, including but not limited to:

a. Comments not topically related
b. Profane language or content
c. Content that promotes, fosters or perpet

uates discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, age,
religion, gender, marital status, with regards to public assistance, national origin, physical or mental
disability or sexual orientation
d. Sexual content or links to sexual content
e. Solicitations of commerce
f. Conduct of encouragement of illegal activity
g. Information that may tend to compromise the safety of the public or security of the public or public
systems
h. Content that violates the legal ownership interests of any other party
i. Comments or content related to County personnel
j. Politically biased

05/29/2026

Myth vs. Fact

MYTH: If property taxes go unpaid, towns and local governments simply lose that revenue.

FACT: Cortland County makes towns whole on unpaid property taxes.

As part of the tax collection process, the County advances the unpaid tax amounts to towns and other local taxing jurisdictions (other than the City of Cortland) so they can continue operating and providing services without interruption.

That means local governments still receive their expected revenue, even when some property taxes have not yet been paid.

Many residents do not realize how much financial coordination happens behind the scenes to keep local governments running smoothly across Cortland County.

Did you know the County plays this role in the property tax collection process?

05/27/2026

Meet Your Legislator: Douglas Bentley

Douglas Bentley proudly serves as Legislator for Legislative District 1 and is currently serving his third term on the Cortland County Legislature, having first been elected in 2018.

Legislator Bentley is one of seven County Legislators representing a portion of the City of Cortland. Through his service on the Legislature, he works alongside fellow legislators to help oversee County operations, policy, budgeting, and services that impact residents throughout Cortland County.

In addition to his legislative duties, Legislator Bentley serves on several boards and committees, including the Community Services Board, Substance Use Disorder Subcommittee, Tourism Marketing Grant Committee, the Youth Board, the CAPCO Board, and as Chair of the Alumni Committee of the Tompkins Cortland Community College Foundation.

Through his service and community involvement, Legislator Bentley remains committed to supporting programs, initiatives, and services that benefit the residents of Cortland County.

Who is your legislator? Look it up here: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/8d6f5ec773824d1bac20d3df0a73ae67/page/Representative-Finder/

Stay tuned as we continue our “Meet Your Legislator” series and introduce the members of the Cortland County Legislature who serve our communities.

Did you know the Cortland County Legislature is made up of 17 legislators representing communities across the County? What issues matter most to you in your community?

05/22/2026

Myth vs. Fact

MYTH: County government maintains all roads within the county.

FACT: Cortland County Highway crews are responsible for maintaining hundreds of lane miles of County roads, bridges, culverts, signage, drainage systems, and other infrastructure that residents travel every day. State and Town roads are managed by those entities respectively.

From snow and ice control to paving, repairs, roadside maintenance, and emergency storm response, Highway operations work year-round to help keep Cortland County moving safely.

A lot more goes into maintaining infrastructure than most people realize.

What road or bridge project in Cortland County have you noticed the biggest improvement from over the years?

05/19/2026

Meet Your Legislator: Chairman Kevin Fitch

As Chairman of the Cortland County Legislature, Kevin Fitch proudly represents the Towns of Scott, Preble, and portions of the Town and Village of Homer.

Born and raised in Cortland County, Chairman Fitch has a history of public service and community involvement. Prior to joining the Legislature in 2020, he served as Supervisor for the Town of Scott. Since 2022, he has served as Chairman of the Cortland County Legislature.

Chairman Fitch works alongside fellow legislators to help guide County policy, oversee the County budget, support public services, and advocate for the residents and communities of Cortland County. From infrastructure and public safety to economic development and community initiatives, the Legislature plays an important role in the day to day operations that keep Cortland County moving forward.

As Chair of the Legislature, he helps lead legislative meetings, coordinate initiatives across committees, and work collaboratively with municipal, state, and community partners on issues impacting residents throughout the County.

Stay tuned as we continue our “Meet Your Legislator” series and introduce the members of the Cortland County Legislature who serve our communities.

Do you know who your legislator is? Click here to find out: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/8d6f5ec773824d1bac20d3df0a73ae67/page/Representative-Finder/

05/15/2026

Myth vs. Fact

MYTH: The Cortland County Legislature, City of Cortland Common Council, and Town Boards are all the same type of government.

FACT: They are separate levels of local government, each with different responsibilities.

The Cortland County Legislature oversees County-wide operations and services that impact residents across all towns, villages, and the City of Cortland, including areas like public health, emergency response, County roads, mental health services, social services, elections, and the County budget.

City, town, and village governments focus on their own local operations and services within their specific municipalities.

While these governments often work together, they each serve different roles in supporting the community.

Before today, did you know the County Legislature’s responsibilities are different from those of town and city governments?

Do you know who your County Legislator is?

Stay tuned for a "Meet Your Legislator" series!

05/14/2026

CORTLAND — Legislators Ron Van Dee and Sandy Price called on Cortland County residents to step up and provide foster homes to local children in need. Price herself was a

05/08/2026

Myth vs. Fact

MYTH: County government controls all of the costs that impact County taxes.

FACT: Counties are required by New York State to provide and help fund many mandated programs and services, including areas like Medicaid, public assistance, child welfare services, indigent defense, and other programs.

These unfunded or underfunded mandates can make up a significant portion of County spending, while the County must still maintain essential local operations like emergency response, road maintenance, public health, and public safety services.

Before today, did you know that New York State mandates make up a large portion of County spending?

05/07/2026

🕰️Throwback Thursday🏛️

A look back at the historic Cortland County Courthouse, a landmark that has stood at the center of our community since 1924.

While this photo captures the beauty of the Courthouse from years past, work continues today to help preserve and maintain this iconic building for future generations. Recent restoration efforts, including the ongoing dome project, are helping ensure this historic centerpiece remains a source of pride for Cortland County.

Do you have a favorite memory of the Courthouse or Courthouse Park? Share it with us in the comments.

05/04/2026

Cortland County marked a major milestone in expanding access to mental health services with the official ribbon cutting of the County’s new Mental Health Department facility in downtown Cortland. Joined by U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, local leaders, staff, and community members celebrated the transformation of a once-vacant building into a modern, accessible, one-stop location for behavioral health services.

Thanks to nearly $3 million in federal funding secured by Senator Schumer, as well as $2 million in federal American Rescue Plan funding, this new facility will enhance care for more than 1,000 individuals served annually and support the growing need for mental health services across Cortland County and Central New York. The upgraded space offers expanded programming, improved accessibility, and enhanced telehealth capabilities - all in a central, transit-accessible location.

As part of the celebration, the County proudly unveiled a plaque honoring the dedicated staff of the Mental Health Department, both past and present, recognizing their ongoing commitment to serving our community. In addition, a plaque was presented dedicating the Horizon House Day Treatment Program room to Senator Schumer in recognition of his steadfast advocacy and support for this project.

This project reflects what can be accomplished through strong partnerships and a shared commitment to meeting the needs of our residents.

📸 Take a look at highlights from today’s event below!

Senator Chuck Schumer

Address

60 Central Avenue
Cortland, NY
13045

Telephone

+16077535048

Website

https://www.cortlandcountyny.gov/286/Legislature

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