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BINGHAMTON, N.Y. -- A long awaited vote on Broome County's Office of Energy Development was on the legislature's agenda Thursday night. The board approved the new department, but it wasn't without some hesitation.

Some legislators believe the creation of the office is a waste of taxpayer money since many of its services, they say, are redundant. Other lawmakers insist none of the money used for the energy development office will come from tax dollars.

In an uncharacteristic argument, it was democrats calling the office 'too much government.'

"I think if we're going to create a new department for the county, something I don't think we've done since the 1980s, I think if we're going to expand government like that, then I think it would at least be important to have a public hearing," Broome County Legislator Jason Garnar said.

Republicans disagree, saying it's a much needed community service, referencing a meeting last week hosted by the office that drew so much interest, people had to be turned away.