Syracuse, N.Y. - Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney says that she is stepping down.
Mahoney will be taking over as the Chief Operating Officer at SUNY ESF. She says she will start at ESF on Nov. 1.
"SUNY is the largest employer in CNY and is undergoing transition," said Mahoney. "Our local economy is tremendously impacted by SUNY and I look forward to working with Chancellor Kristina Johnson and her staff and Dr. David Amberg and his team at ESF to help maximize te benefit of these institutions. I am grateful to Dr. Johnson for her faith in me as I take on this new role."
She will stay on as County Executive until the 2019 budget passes. The County Legislature is not expected to vote in the budget until Oct. 9.
Mahoney has two weeks to file a resignation letter. After she resigns, Deputy County Executive Bill Fisher is expected to take over on an interim basis. It will be up to the Onondaga County Legislature to make a long-term appointment.
Mahoney is the third person and the first woman to be elected to the position. She first took office on January 1, 2008.
Reaction to Mahoney's Announcement:
"I join our community in thanking Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney for her years of public service to Central New York.
Joanie has always had the courage to rise above politics to do what is right for our community. Because of these efforts, we have seen an unprecedented investment in water infrastructure and Onondaga Lake, reduced county property taxes, and streamlined services for taxpayers during her tenure as County Executive.
While I am saddened to see Joanie leave Onondaga County government, SUNY ESF and SUNY Upstate are fortunate to gain her leadership.
Robin and I wish Joanie, her husband, Marc, and their family the best as they move forward with this next chapter in their lives." - U.S. Rep. John Katko
"I am as surprised as anyone with this news, but I certainly wish County Executive Joanie Mahoney well in her new role at SUNY serving our community. Joanie has been a thoughtful and creative county leader, and I have always enjoyed working with her. In particular, I have admired her work on environmental issues and her efforts to move the entire region forward. I look forward to working with her in this new role to strengthen higher education in Central New York in the years ahead." - New York State Assemblyman Al Stirpe