Staff Report / January 9, 2026
Penn Yan, NY – Yates County’s governing body formally launched its 2026 session this week, reappointing Leslie Church as Chair of the Yates County Legislature and moving forward with a series of leadership, administrative and board appointments aimed at positioning the county for another productive term.
At the annual organizational meeting held Monday in Penn Yan, legislators reaffirmed Church’s leadership role for the year ahead. Church, who has chaired the Legislature since 2022 and was the first woman to hold the position, won unanimous support from her colleagues. Edward Bronson was again chosen as Vice Chair.
In addition to the chair appointments, the Legislature reappointed several key county officials who will continue to oversee critical functions of government. Among them were:
- Emilee Miller — Clerk of the Legislature
- Scott P. Falvey — County Attorney
- Jessica L. Mullins — County Administrator and Budget Officer
- Leigh Battin — Director of Finance
- Matthew Tantillo — Public Defender
The meeting also set leadership for the Legislature’s standing committees, designating chairs, vice chairs and members responsible for oversight of major policy areas including finance, public works, human services, government operations and public safety. These committees play a pivotal role in evaluating departmental budgets, programs and county contracts.
In additions to internal roles, county lawmakers confirmed appointments to economic development boards. Ryan Hallings and Janice Gaub of Penn Yan, along with Jesse Jayne of Dundee, will serve on the Finger Lakes Economic Development Center (Yates County IDA), the Yates Capital Resource Corp. Board, and the Finger Lakes Horizon Economic Development Corp., carrying terms through December 2027.
The organizational meeting established the framework for the Legislature’s work through the coming years — setting committee structures, affirming leadership and ensuring continuity in administrative offices as the county moves into its new legislative year.
