Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente Elected to Lead Statewide Association

On December 6, 2013, Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente was elected to serve as president of the New York State County Executives Association, a statewide bipartisan association made up of county executives from across the State.

“County Executive Picente is a thoughtful leader who has command of the issues facing our counties, and his growing record of accomplishments in Oneida County will serve as a model of innovation for other counties,” said Ulster County Executive Mike Hein, the immediate past president of the county leaders’ group. In his year as president, County Executive Hein created PAYGo NY, which highlights best practices in local government innovation across the state. 

The County Executives Association includes the chief elected leaders from the 18 county governments with charter forms of government that include a County Executive, plus the mayor of the City of New York. (See below for a full list of counties.) County Executive Picente will serve as President until next December, 2014.

These county executives from across the State met in Albany last week to discuss critical issues facing county governments. Chief among these issues were the upcoming 2014 Legislative Session and the 2014-15 state budget, which annually impacts county operations and funding. They also discussed concerns surrounding home rule authority, state tax reform proposals, the Affordable Care Act and partnering with the incoming Mayor of the City of New York.

“It is an honor to serve New York’s counties through this important leadership post,” said Mr. Picente, who actively participated in the County Executive Association since being elected. “This association plays an important role in advocating in Albany for the needs of counties and local taxpayers. During these challenging times, working together as county leaders is more important than ever.”

County Executive Picente was first elected to the position of Oneida County Executive in November of 2008. He is a strong advocate for counties’ role in strengthening public safety, ensuring fiscal responsibility, shoring up core infrastructure and improving economic development.

“Anthony Picente has a deep understanding of the role of county government and its capacity to serve the residents of New York state.  He has devoted his talents to implementing best practices for Oneida County government and now can share this experience with other county leaders as President.  His leadership will be instrumental towards addressing the challenges facing these regional governments,” said Stephen J. Acquario, executive director, NYS Association of Counties. 

The counties participating in the County Executives Association include: Albany, Broome, Chautauqua, Chemung, Dutchess, Erie, Monroe, Montgomery, Nassau, Oneida, Onondaga, Orange, Putnam, Rensselaer, Rockland, Suffolk, Ulster, Westchester, and the City of New York.

The New York State County Executives Association is an affiliate of the New York State Association of Counties, a bipartisan municipal association serving the counties of New York State including the City of New York. Organized in 1925, NYSAC’s mission is to represent, educate and advocate for member counties and the thousands of elected and appointed county officials who serve the public.