The Cayuga County Soil and Water Conservation District needs some cash, up-front - $50,000 to be precise.

The county Legislature will vote today on whether to authorize an emergency advance of the funds.

The organization needs the money, which the county allocates quarterly, to address a cash flow problem, according to County Manager Wayne Allen.

“Normally, by the end of the third quarter, they would have received that money,” Allen said. “We are advancing them some money to tide them over.”

However, some county officials said Monday that the county was supposed to have already paid the Soil and Water District, and the money just never came.

Legislator Steve Cuddeback, who is chairman of the district board of directors, said the district submitted all of the paperwork needed in February to receive the funds.

The money would go to the normal, nuts and bolts operations of the district, he said.

“The department heads are putting together lean budgets, and there is no room for tardiness,” Cuddeback said.

According to Executive Director Ronald Podolak, the district received its first quarterly payment at the beginning of the year, which allowed them to make payroll. By now, the district has usually received its second wave of funds, he said.

“I think it is because of some new processes that have been put in place (with the county),” Podolak said. “Things are a little bit slower this year.”

According to Allen, the county did not miss any payment. The Soil and Water District contacted him and asked for the advance, he said.

“There are a number of not-for-profit organizations that have contracts with us. If the county can accommodate them, we will make every effort,” he said.

Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net.