A Message from the County Executive

Dear Neighbor:

The holiday season is a time for family, friends and making new memories and I hope everyone has had the opportunity to celebrate with your loved ones over these last few weeks.

Your county team remained hard at work as we close out 2023 and we continue to prepare for an exciting 2024. Earlier this year my administration updated our County Comprehensive Plan https://plan.ongov.net/ for the first time in over two decades and earlier this month, the County Legislature approved our bold proposal to help bring this plan into fruition. 

Joined by Mayor Walsh, members of the County Legislature, City School Board and others, I was honored to speak at the groundbreaking of our county-wide STEAM school at the old Central Tech. I am incredibly excited about the opportunities this school will generate for the youth in our county and grateful for the many partners that helped make this a reality. 

Below you will find our Onondaga Parks and Recreation Winter Guide which contains a list of holiday activities for the whole family to enjoy, along with other events to celebrate the season.

As we enter the New Year, I have never been more optimistic about where our county is headed. The momentum is real, and the future is bright.

From my family to yours, I wish you all a safe and happy new year! As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact my office.

Sincerely,

County Executive McMahon speaking about future of Onondaga County

County Executive Ryan McMahon earlier this year updated our Comprehensive Plan with the goal of alleviating our housing shortage with new housing options, building stronger neighborhoods, and investing in our agricultural economy, our green spaces and blueways. We are now ready to invest in implementing this plan and with unanimous support from our County Legislature, our housing initiative has become reality.

The County Legislature unanimously approved a plan for $30 million to fund a variety of community development projects, including sprucing up villages, building new housing and boosting agricultural tourism. County Executive McMahon’s plan would also establish a new fund to assist small businesses with loans to expand. The $30 million will come from a projected surplus for 2023.

Below is a brief rundown of the plan:

• $5 million for community development facades
• $3 million for low interest loans to small businesses
• $12 million for housing
• $5 million for trails and Creekside developments (blueways and greenways)
• $5 million for agriculture, including land preservation, tourism and improvements at Regional Market

County Executive McMahon leads a roundtable discussion at NACo conference.

County Executive Ryan McMahon joined 2,000 elected and appointed county leaders from across the country at the 2024 NACo Legislative Conference. Topics discussed included: the future of AI, investments in mental health, and federal policy issues that impact counties and their residents.

The National Association of Counties (NACo) is the only national organization that represents county governments in the United States. Founded in 1935, NACo provides services to the nations 3,069 counties. Its membership totals more than 2,350 counties, representing more than 80-percent of the nations population.

County Executive McMahon welcomes new head football coach Fran Brown

County Executive Ryan McMahon joined Syracuse University Athletic Director John Wildhack, other local elected officials and various esteemed alumni in welcoming new head football coach Fran Brown.

On November 28, 2023 Brown was named the 31st head coach of Syracuse University. A native of Camden, New Jersey, Brown graduate from Camden High School where he set the school record for touchdown passes. Coach Brown continued his football career at Western Carolina, where he became an all-American cornerback. Coach Brown's previous coaching stops include: Temple, Baylor, Rutgers and most recently Georgia. We are excited to welcome Coach Brown and his family to Syracuse University!



County Executive McMahon speaks at CNY Society for Human Resource Management (CNY SHRM) December conference. The County Executive spoke about upcoming developmental and networking opportunities for human resource professionals in Onondaga County.

County Executive McMahon joined Rabbi Yaakov Rapoport to celebrate the second night of Hanukkah by lighting the menorah.



Onondaga County Deputy Director of Strategic Initiatives and United States Army veteran Estaban Gonzalez represented the County Executive at Wreaths Across America Event at Veteran Memorial Cemetary. Wreaths Across America is a non-profit organization that honors fallen heroes and teaches the value of freedom by sponsoring wreaths and volunteering.

County Executive McMahon joins other NYS County Executives on a zoom to discuss serious issues affecting counties being debated in Albany including the fair allocation of Medicaid dollars and changes to local elections.

Three more businesses in the Village of Liverpool completed their projects.



Village of Manlius

These new stunning murals have brought public art back to the Village of Manlius.

Town of Salina

102 Luther Avenue in the Town of Salina received a fresh new makeover.

Village of Minoa

The recent improvements to Scotty's Automotive in the Village of Minoa.

Erie Canal Museum

Each year the Erie Canal Museum transforms into a festive 1800’s canal town street scene with gingerbread creations on display in storefront windows. In a typical year, we see over 6,000 visitors during the Gingerbread Gallery! 

Exhibit is open through January 8, 2024. For more information, please click below: