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If the contract is approved, the county will pay $222,646.20 to Allied Universal, a global firm with an office in Syracuse, for security services.

Cayuga County Legislature Chairman Jonathan Anna told Ë®¹ûÅÉAV the funds to cover security costs at 63 Genesee St. were included in the 2025 budget. The county is preparing to move its Department of Social Services and fiscal offices to the downtown Auburn building due to the closure of the county office building for the next two years. 

The county, which is paying $348,000 a year to rent 63 Genesee St., usually has retired sheriff's deputies who are classified as peace officers handle security duties in public facilities. However, Sheriff Brian Schenck explained that peace officers only have that authority in publicly owned buildings, not property that is leased or rented.

Other options were explored before seeking an outside security firm. Anna discussed using Auburn police officers or Cayuga County sheriff's deputies, but neither agency has the staffing available to provide security at 63 Genesee St.

When the Cayuga County Legislature's Public Works Committee reviewed the resolution on Tuesday, Legislator Aileen McNabb-Coleman asked whether it went out to bid. At the time, Lynn Marinelli — the county's budget director — told the committee that she believed the vendor was on a state contract. 

With questions about the procurement process, the resolution was referred to the county Legislature's Ways and Means Committee. 

The state Office of General Services has a centralized contract for security services, according to Anna. Following the process outlined in the statewide contract, the county sought quotes from eligible contractors in the region. 

Of the four contractors on the list, two submitted quotes. Allied Universal's quote was $4 an hour less than its lone competitor. 

Allied Universal provides security at state facilities, including SUNY Upstate Medical University and the office building in Syracuse. 

Anna said a request for proposals was not required for the security services. The county followed state Office of General Services and procurement policies, he added. 

While the county budgeted for the security services, a portion of the funds could be eligible for reimbursement. The Department of Social Services receives federal and state aid for its operations. Because they will be occupying the building, the county can recoup some of its expenses related to rent and security.