Chairman Harrington called the meeting to order at 10:05 am and led the salute to the flag. The Clerk called the roll and all members were recorded as present. On the motion of Mr. Teeter, seconded by Mr. Forbes and adopted, all members present voting aye, the minutes from the previous session were approved.

Mr. Forbes wanted to make a motion to reconsider his vote from the previous session. Chairman Harrington denied his request, stating that the changes in the budget were substantial and required a new resolution.

Mrs. Price introduced an amendment to the proposed 2001 budget and was seconded by Mr. Teeter. Mr. Forbes said it was fiscally irresponsible for any more money to be taken from MMSI and reminded the legislators that there would be a reduction in agriculturally generated sales tax revenue. He felt 5.6% was a necessary and prudent tax increase. Mr. Forbes also spoke against using County money to fight tobacco consumption. He said people are aware of the health hazards associated with tobacco use and the proposed plan was creating another layer of bureaucracy, which was a waste of taxpayer money.

Mrs. Price thanked the department heads and legislators for their help with the budget. She added that the Finance & Administration Committee did look at the sales tax revenue and it was reflected in the budget. She said there were no County funds for tobacco education in the current budget. Mr. Cornell said grant money was available for tobacco education programs and Mr. O’Mara said he was adamantly against smoking, but he felt it was the state and federal governments and tobacco companies who should pay for the education programs.

Mrs. Richards said she disagreed with the opinions being expressed. It was her opinion that money needed to be set aside for tobacco education for young people before they began smoking. She said grant money is available and must be split among four counties and she hoped that the piecemeal programs could be consolidated into one very effective program.

Mr. Dwyer expressed the opinion that a 5.6% increase was probably too low, but he would support the budget proposal to get it through.

Mr. Thomas called it a ‘Robin Hood budget’ and said the only solution was to cut the demand side. He said he could not support a budget that had money for the airport fence, but not for tobacco education.

Mrs. Meiczinger said any budget could be picked apart and it was important to look at the whole budget. She stressed that grant money is available for anti-tobacco efforts and reminded everyone that the County had spent money on tobacco education in the past and we were not turning our back on the programs.

Mr. VanDee acknowledged it was a tight budget, but reminded everyone that just because the money was in the budget, it did not have to be spent. He expressed confidence that the County was in good financial shape and would not be in trouble next year.

Mr. Wern thank the department heads that did cut their budgets.

Mr. Boise said the figure used for MMIS was accurate. He suggested that we start lobbying the state and federal governments for an increase in funding to help offset the financial burden of the local share of Medicaid. Chairman Harrington agreed that the constant burden from unfunded state mandates was unconscionable.

Before the vote on the amendment to the budget resolution, Chairman Harrington again thanked the Finance & Administration committee for their work. On a roll call vote, the amendment to the budget resolution passed with all members present voting aye, except Mr. Forbes, Mr. Law, Mr. Stoker and Mr. Thomas voting nay.

On the motion of Mrs. Price, seconded by Mr. VanDee and adopted, all members present voting aye on a roll call vote, except Mr. Forbes, Mr. Law, Mr. Stoker and Mr. Thomas voting nay, the amended Agenda No. 01 became

RESOLUTION NO. 588-00

ADOPT 2001 COUNTY BUDGET

WHEREAS, the Finance & Administration Committee presented a Tentative Budget to this legislature on November 29^th, 2000, AND

WHEREAS, a Public Hearing was held before this Legislature on December 7^th, 2000 to consider said budget, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED, that the 2001 Tentative Budget as amended and revised be and hereby is adopted and that the amounts set forth in the "Adopted" column of said budget be and hereby are appropriated for the objects and purposes specified.

Mr. Law said it was a fiscally irresponsible budget, that finances had been extended to the limit and he was convinced that the tobacco revenue had been overestimated. He cautioned everyone that a surplus was needed to maintain a good bond rating. Mr. Thomas suggested that all should be allowed to participate in the budget process and perhaps scheduling a few night meetings would help that become a reality. Mr. VanDee reiterated his feeling that it was a tight, but good budget and the legislators had to remain diligent throughout the year.

Chairman Harrington introduced Mr. Will Streeter, Labor Representative for CSEA. Mr. Streeter said the goal of the present negotiations was the retention of present employees.

Mr. Stoker told the legislators that he received a phone call from a constituent who had attended the public hearing on the budget and that individual wanted to compliment the legislators on their profession and courteous behavior.

On the motion of Mr. Teeter, seconded by Mr. Dwyer and adopted, all members present voting aye, the meeting was adjourned at 10:42 a.m.

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