Chairman Harrington called the meeting to order at 3:18 PM and led the salute to the flag. The Clerk called the roll and all members were recorded present, except Mrs. Richards absent. On the motion of Mr. Teeter, seconded by Mrs. Contento and adopted, all members present voting aye, the minutes from the previous session were approved.

BUDGET

County Administrator Scott Schrader presented the tentative 2004 budget. He highlighted the main points including the proposed 16% increase and the loss of 42 positions. He stressed that Cortland County is not alone with it financial problems and that he would continue to work with everyone involved to "reduce the levy, mitigate layoffs and continue to explore savings through consolidations and reorganizations."

On the motion of Mrs. Price, seconded by Mr. Steve and adopted, all members present voting aye, the Budget Officer’s 2004 Tentative Budget was ordered received and filed.

On the motion of Mrs. Price, seconded by Mr. Cornell and adopted, all members present voting aye, the 2002 Annual Report from the Department of Social Services was ordered received and filed.

RESOLUTIONS

On the motion of Mr. VanDee and seconded by Mr. Teeter, Agenda No. 03 (A Resolution Authorizing The Financing Of Certain Costs Of Certain Early Retirement Incentive Programs And Authorizing The Financing Of Certain Costs Of The 2004 – 2005 Fiscal Year Of The New York State Retirement Systems For The County Of Cortland, New York, At An Aggregate Maximum Estimated Cost Of $1,950,000, And Authorizing The Issuance Of $1,950,000 Bonds Of Said County To Pay The Cost Thereof) was introduced. Mr. VanDee offered a friendly amendment to change the amount of bond to $910,000 and was seconded by Mrs. Brown. The discussion concerned the reasons for bonding and what would be best for the county. At 3:48 PM Mrs. Price requested a recess to allow the Budget & Finance Committee to reconsider the options.

The legislative session resumed at 3:58 PM. Mr. VanDee withdrew his friendly amendment to Agenda No. 03 and Mrs. Brown withdrew her second. Agenda No. 03 passed on a roll call vote, with all members present voting aye except, Mr. Dafoe, Mr. Steger, Mr. Steve and Mr. VanDonsel voting nay. Agenda No. 03 became RESOLUTION NO. 467-03: A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE FINANCING OF CERTAIN COSTS OF CERTAIN EARLY RETIREMENT INCENTIVE PROGRAMS AND AUTHORIZING THE FINANCING OF CERTAIN COSTS OF THE 2004-2005 FISCAL YEAR OF THE NEW YORK STATE RETIREMENT SYSTEMS FOR THE COUNTY OF CORTLAND, NEW YORK, AT AN AGGREGATE MAXIMUM ESTIMATED COST OF $1,950,000, AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $1,950,000 BONDS OF SAID COUNTY TO PAY THE COST THEREOF.

Mr. VanDee withdrew Agenda No. 04 (Authorize Transfer of Funds (Medicaid Relief - $250,482), Deferred Revenue to General Fund Revenue, Treasurer’s Office).

Mr. Steve asked for a Motion to Reconsider Agenda No. 12 (Authorize Agreements, Department of Social Services (Several Agencies, Departments, Etc.) from the November 10^th, 2003 legislative session (Resolution No. 457-03) and was seconded by Mr. VanDonsel. All members present voted aye. Mr. Steve requested and was granted permission to abstain on Agenda No. 12. The vote for Agenda No. 12 was all aye, Mr. Steve abstaining and Mr. VanDonsel voting nay.

On the motion of Mr. Teeter, seconded by Mr. Wern and adopted, all members present voting aye, the meeting was recessed at 4:15 PM.

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