Oswego County Administrator Phil Church has been elected president of the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC). The announcement came during the association’s annual meeting in Niagara County, where Church was chosen as the organization’s 81st president.
Church, who had served as NYSAC’s first vice president since 2024, succeeds outgoing president Benjamin Boykin II.
“I am honored to lead NYSAC as we begin our 101st year of service,” Church said. “Counties are navigating a time of great change in technology, policy, and community needs. Together, we will build on a century of collaboration to deliver solutions that protect taxpayers and strengthen the vital services our residents rely on.”
NYSAC Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario praised Church as “a thoughtful, collaborative leader who embodies the spirit of public service that has defined this association for over a century.”
Church has served as Oswego County’s chief administrative officer and budget officer since 2007, overseeing all appointed department heads and managing the county’s $266 million annual budget and capital plan.
Beyond his county role, he is active on several regional and national boards and committees, including the National Association of Counties’ Environment, Energy and Land Use Steering Committee, the New York Sea Grant Program Advisory Council, the Oswego County Early Childhood Alliance Executive Committee, and the Operation Oswego County board. In 2024, he also chaired the task force that helped establish the Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary.
For more than a century, NYSAC has served as the unified voice for county leaders across New York State, representing officials from all 62 counties, including New York City, in advocating before state and federal policymakers.
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