Syracuse, N.Y. – Onondaga County legislators today elected a new chairman, Republican Legislator Tim Burtis of Brewerton, in a party-line vote that reflects the GOP’s dominant 11-6 majority in the legislature.
The election of Burtis held none of the drama seen two years ago, when three Republicans jumped ship to vote with Democrats to elect a chairman who, although Republican, was seen as less closely aligned with Republican County Executive Ryan McMahon.
That chairman, Jim Rowley of Clay, served for two years but decided not to run for reelection to the legislature in November.
Burtis, 58, has been a legislator since January 2015, when he was appointed by former County Executive Joanie Mahoney to fill a vacancy. Burtis went on to win election in November 2015 and is beginning his fourth full term in office. He was unopposed in November’s election.
Like Rowley, Burtis has shown a willingness in the past to pump the brakes on some of McMahon’s initiatives.
He was one of three Republicans who voted in August 2022 against authorizing construction of a county aquarium. The aquarium was among several McMahon initiatives that stirred controversy among legislators and led to Rowley’s election as chairman. Burtis later voted in favor of acquiring land for the aquarium.
Burtis served as the emcee for McMahon’s swearing-in ceremony held last weekend.
In addition to electing Burtis today, legislators re-elected Legislator Brian May as Republican floor leader and Legislator Chris Ryan as the Democratic floor leader.
May nominated Burtis for the chairman’s seat.
“He has been a stalwart member of this legislature,” May said. “He is virtuous. He is exceedingly fair.”
Burtis briefly spoke after taking the official chairman’s seat.
“I look forward to a good term together,” he said. “We will need to work at it together.”
Tim Burtis was elected chairman of the Onondaga County Legislature on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024.Provided photo
For the past two years, Burtis chaired the Planning and Economic Development Committee. Before that, he chaired the Ways and Means Committee.
Burtis works at Empower Federal Credit Union in Syracuse.
The position of legislature chairperson pays $68,524 a year. Floor leaders earn $46,463. Legislators are paid $37,619.