A Message from the County Executive

Dear Friends:

As October comes to a close and we move into November, let’s take a moment to celebrate some of the positive things happening across Onondaga County.



One standout is the meaningful progress we’ve made in reducing childhood lead exposure. Just this week, I released the County’s Lead Progress Report, which shows that increased testing, quicker remediation, and stronger outreach efforts are making a real impact. Below, you’ll find the full report and the press conference video. What we’ve achieved so far is promising, and we remain fully committed to building on this momentum.

We also took time this month to celebrate ribbon‑cuttings for projects made possible through our Community Development programs. One was at Salt City Flats, a new 57‑unit, $20 million downtown housing development that received a $250,000 grant through O‑CHIP - the Onondaga County Housing Initiative Program. Since its start, O‑CHIP has invested over $12.5 million in 63 projects, creating 3,451 housing units and driving more than $1.376 billion in private investment. And in many cases, like Salt City Flats, we’re not just adding new housing - we’re giving old, worn‑down buildings a second life for the people who call this community home.

Based on the feedback many of you have been sharing about our newsletter, we rolled out a new partnership with Visit Syracuse in last month’s edition. A lot of you said you wanted to see more about upcoming local events, and this collaboration helps us bring that right to your inbox. They’re now sharing a monthly events calendar tailored to our county. Be sure to check it out below.

November brings Thanksgiving, and I hope you have much to be grateful for. I certainly do - welcoming my son Preston in September has been an incredible blessing, and I truly appreciate all the kind well‑wishes many of you have shared. I hope you find time this month to be with loved ones, and if you can, please check in on someone who may be feeling alone or struggling; this season can be especially hard for many.

Below you will see even more of the amazing things your county government has been doing this month. As always, it is an honor to serve as your County Executive and if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact my office.

Sincerely,

Ryan

UPDATE: 2027 County Budget Approved

County Executive McMahon’s 2027 Executive Budget was approved by the legislature with only limited modifications. The $1.7 billion spending plan delivers a significant county property tax reduction for the ninth straight year. This year, it's 9%, and when combined with previous cuts, the county’s property tax rate will have fallen by nearly 47 percent since 2018. This progress is the result of responsible budgeting and sustained fiscal discipline, especially at a time when counties across the state are facing rising costs and growing state and federal mandates.

The budget also maintains and expands investments in key priorities, including support for children and families, housing, mental health services, seniors, food security, tourism, and infrastructure, plus the funding highlighted below.

County Executive McMahon Unveils

County's Lead Progress Report

Released during Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (October 25-31), County Executive McMahon unveiled the county's Lead Progress Report which showcases Onondaga County’s continued and significant progress in reducing childhood lead exposure - due in part to the county's $25+ million investment.

The report highlights incredible successes in the work being done to protect children and families through testing, inspections, home remediation, and community outreach.

Some highlights:

• 
  
• More than 10,000 children were tested for lead in 2025 and fewer than 1 out of every 100 children tested outside the City of Syracuse had elevated lead levels.

• While the county has had challenges with finding contractors to become certified in lead remediation work, we’re making progress and we’ve already reduced remediation timelines by more than one-third.

• With lead education and outreach a critical component, the Onondaga County Health Department has been very successful in bringing their programs to locations across the county.

While the work is far from over, the county's efforts are producing visible results.

Watch the County Executive's announcement below, and read the full report for yourself by clicking here.

County Steps Up to Preserve Webster Pond

Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon announced a one-time $25,000 county grant to support Webster Pond, a longtime natural and recreational asset now facing financial strain. The Anglers Association of Onondaga, which has maintained the site for decades, has struggled to keep up with rising operating costs. The county’s grant will fund an annual work plan for improvements, habitat protection, wildlife management, public access upgrades, maintenance, and educational programming, all subject to county approval. McMahon said the investment reflects the community’s commitment to preserving a cherished resource for future generations.

County Workforce Shows Support for

Breast Cancer Awareness

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Onondaga County employees were encouraged by County Executive J. Ryan McMahon, II to wear pink to work and help raise awareness. According to the county's Health Department, about 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime and over 85% of women who develop it do not have any family history of the disease.

A reminder from Onondaga County Cancer Services: getting a mammogram is the best way to find breast cancer early, when it may be easier to treat. Free mammograms are available for women ages 40 to 74 who do not have health insurance. To see if you qualify, call (315) 435-3653 or visit https://onondaga.gov/health/cancer-screening/.. 

County Executive, Economic Development Team Attend International Semiconducter Conference

Another successful SEMICON West Conference in the books for our OCIDA team! County Executive McMahon, OCIDA Executive Director Billy Barlow, and our OCIDA Team spent the week in San Francisco connecting with supply chain companies from all over the world who are looking to invest in Central New York to support the historic Micron megafab project in Clay. 

While there, our team hosted a supplier reception that provided opportunities to build and strengthen relationships with key suppliers in the semiconductor industry and included remarks from Micron Technology's Corporate VP of Front-End US Expansion, Scott Gatzemeier. Our team continues to prepare for the transformative growth in our region by focusing on bringing more jobs and investments into our community, building relationships in the industry, and positioning ourselves to be the leading semiconductor cluster in North America!

Senior Services in Onondaga County

Last month we told you about a new three‑session Senior Engagement Program launched by the Onondaga County Office for Aging to help older adults build confidence using technology. It was a huge success, and they recently released their wrap-up video featuring some participants. Efforts like these help older adults build stronger social ties, stay mentally engaged, and feel more assured as they navigate the modern world.

The Office for Aging also recently held public hearings related to senior services in Onondaga County for the year ahead. One was at the Jordan-Elbridge Community Center and the other at the John Carno Recreation Center in Geddes.

You will find summaries of the proposed plans by clicking here. Comments are welcome with regard to the plan. You may send them to:

JoAnne Spoto Decker, Commissioner

Onondaga County Department Adult & Long Term Care Services

421 Montgomery Street, 10th Floor

Syracuse, New York 13202

Email: joannedecker@onondaga.gov

All comments must be received by Thursday, November 19, 2026. Onondaga County looks forward to hearing from residents as together we strengthen, expand, and

innovate the programs that support our older adults.

County Executive Visits The Century Club

County Executive McMahon was warmly welcomed at the Century Club, where members had requested an update on the Crouse Health Harborview Aquarium, one of the most talked-about projects in recent history and one that is already helping bring new life to the Inner Harbor.

Harborview’s main ocean habitat will feature 5 types of sharks with a record-size 17-inch thick viewing window!

Stay tuned for an official opening day.

In total, the Onondaga County Veterans Service Agency distributed over $5,000 in FreshConnect Checks to veterans and their families. All FreshConnect Checks provided by New York State have now been fully distributed - there are no remaining checks. 

Now is great time to sponsor a wreath through Onondaga County Wreaths Across America. For just $17, you can help ensure every hero at the Onondaga County Veterans Memorial Cemetery is remembered with dignity and gratitude.

On December 19, volunteers will gather to place wreaths and speak each veteran’s name - a simple but powerful act of honor. Your support is appreciated and helps ensure none are forgotten. So far this year, more than 1,000 wreaths have been sponsored, but another 2,100 are needed to honor every hero at our cemetery.

Click here to sponsor a wreath and learn more about volunteering.

Happy Birthday, Yaad and Tukada!

Check out this adorable

video from the

Rosamond Gifford Zoo.

They threw a big

4^th BIRTHDAY party for

Yaad and Tukada, the miracle elephant twins who continue to capture hearts while inspiring hope for the future of their endangered species.

Looks like they enjoyed

their party!

Lights On The Lake Returns In November

Central New York’s beloved holiday tradition returns November 21. This year, Wegmans Lights on the Lake is celebrating its 37th season at Onondaga Lake Park in Liverpool. You can enjoy the two-mile drive-through experience nightly from November 21, 2026, through January 4, 2027, from 5 to 10 p.m. Click here to learn more.

While we can't give away all the new sights and surprises - we will share one: there's something related to Onondaga County Parks.

County Executive McMahon visited OLP to help announce this year's event, and said, “We appreciate the collaborative efforts of our Parks Department and Galaxy Events to continuously enhance the experience, and we look forward to celebrating another memorable season.”

Onondaga County Hosts Two Conferences

This month Onondaga County welcomed the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) fall conference, bringing leaders from across the state together to tackle major issues facing our counties - from the rise of data centers to expanding state mandates and growing electricity and utility costs.

County Executive McMahon took part in the NYSAC Board of Directors meeting and chaired the County Executives' meeting. He also hosted a welcome dinner at the Crouse Health Harborview Aquarium - officially the first event held in the new space.

This annual conference is a reminder of how much can be accomplished when we come together, strengthen our unity and highlight the shared purpose that moves all of our counties forward.

County Executive McMahon also addressed attendees of the New York Public Transit Association conference. The Oncenter hosted this one, which brought agencies from across the state together to talk transit, connect, collaborate, and learn from each other. The County Executive shared the story of our growing community and emphasized the vital role public transportation plays in ensuring everyone can benefit from our Micron Moment.

Onondaga County's Department of Emergency Management is designated to coordinate all emergency management activities: mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery - to help better protect life and property during disasters and emergencies.

Effective emergency response starts with practice, and this month the Department hosted a training exercise at the county's Emergency Operations Center. The EOC is a centralized location where government agencies and key partners can coordinate information, resources, and decision‑making during emergencies or disasters to better manage response efforts and communication. This training exercise brought them together and allowed them to test plans, strengthen coordination, and reinforce the partnerships essential during emergencies.

The Emergency Operations Center is located at the the Lieutenant Michael Hoosock Emergency Management Center in Liverpool, which is where the Department is also based.

Community engagement is also a critical part of Emergency Management's role, and they were bust this month as October is Fire Prevention Month. Here's just one example: they brought their SHERP All-Terrain Rescue Vehicle to the Syracuse Fire Department Open House, where even OTTO took time to check it out!

Each year, Emergency Management presents the Henry “Hank” Boynton Award, which recognize exceptional commitment to fire prevention, public education, and community safety. This month it was given to two deserving recipients: Captain Kelly Willcox of the Syracuse Fire Department and the Moyers Corners Fire Department.

Captain Willcox was recognized for her longstanding leadership in fire prevention and education throughout Central New York. She has dedicated her career to educating residents, supporting community outreach initiatives, conducting inspections, and promoting fire and life safety awareness across the region.

The Moyers Corners Fire Department was honored for its efforts following a 2025 house fire in the Bayberry neighborhood. Beyond responding to the incident, members returned to the community to conduct voluntary smoke and carbon monoxide alarm inspections, provide fire safety education, and help secure donations of life-saving alarms for residents. Their actions demonstrated a commitment to preventing future tragedies and protecting families through proactive community engagement.

World Mental Health Day is October 10th and helps raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and provides an opportunity for us to remember that taking care of your mental health is just as important as your physical health.

If you or someone you know are struggling, dial 988 to be connected to the support you may need or learn more about the resources available to you in our community, by clicking below:

Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) is a national campaign dedicated to raising awareness about domestic violence. DVAM evolved from the "Day of Unity" held in October 1981 and was conceived by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Every October, organizations and individuals unite across the country for a national effort to uplift the needs, voices and experiences of survivors.

October is National Disability

Employment Awareness Month

County Executive McMahon was invited to visit the East Syracuse office of Community Options -- a nonprofit that empowers people with disabilities through meaningful jobs and supportive housing. He met several of the 25+ individuals employed through the organization and heard firsthand how their talent, dedication, and contributions strengthen our local workforce.

Supporting Small Businesses in Onondaga County

The Onondaga County Office of Economic Development supports small business locally. The Onondaga County Opportunity Fund (OCOF) helps provide financial assistance to businesses located outside the City of Syracuse in Onondaga County and offers three different loan options with a range of low interest rates — Micro-Enterprise Fund, Small Business Assistance Fund and the Community Impact Fund. Businesses must be in operation for at least a year to be eligible. Learn more or apply today by visiting: https://ongoved.com/not-for-profit/ocof/"

Every Journey Matters. Every Life Counts. The Onondaga County Department of Planning is in the process of developing a Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Safety Action Plan to identify ways to make travel safer and reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities throughout the County. The plan will build on the goals of Plan Onondaga County Comprehensive Plan's and the County’s commitment to Vision Zero by recommending actions that support safer travel for all roadway users. 

We want to hear from you! Your feedback matters and is an important part of this process. Responses are anonymous and confidential. To take the survey: https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/816d40d5ff904f16a73bd2a59f5c9684

Learn more about Safe Streets Onondaga Action Plan: https://plan.onondaga.gov/safe-streets-onondaga-action-plan/ 

For a list of current job openings with Onondaga County, click below:

Join our Onondaga County Planning Team for the final public meeting of the Naturally Connected Onondaga Greenways + Blueways Plan.

Over the past nine months, the project team has worked with communities, stakeholders, and residents across Onondaga County to develop a countywide vision for advancing greenway and blueway connections. At this final public meeting, the team will share key findings and recommendations, including:

• * A countywide greenways and blueways framework
• * 10 project profiles and implementation opportunities
• * A municipal toolkit to help communities plan, fund, design, and maintain future greenway and blueway investments.

Please RSVP using the QR code on the flyer to help plan for attendance. For more information about Naturally Connected Onondaga, please visit the projects webpage: bit.ly/NaturallyConnectedOC