November 1,
2005 at 8:30 am
APPROVED
MINUTES AS CORRECTED
Members:
Kurt Behrenfeld, Chairman; Dr. Paul DiGiovanni, Vice Chairman; Kay Breed,
Marilyn Brown, Danny Ross, Carol Tytler, Newell Willcox
Others
Present:
Scott Schrader, Scott Steve, Chairman of the Legislature; Scott Elston,
Katrina Spicer, Carletta Edwards, Patrick Ruppe, Elizabeth Larkin, Donald
Ferris, Annette Barber, Bill Cinquanti, Keith Dayton, Bob Howe, Ric VanDonsel,
David Hartnett, Rob Corpora, John Bardsley
Mr.
Behrenfeld called the meeting to order at 8:40 a.m.
BUDGET/REVIEW:
Mr. Behrenfeld has prepared a “working budget” which will show 2005 figures and the tentative 2006 budget. In addition, it will show individual changes as well as net changes.
Ms. Brown asked if the tentative 2006 budget reflects salary increases. Mr. Schrader’s response was yes and no. Mr. Behrenfeld suggested salaries be discussed as it comes up in the budget.
1.
County Legislature
– Mr. Behrenfeld questioned why there was an increase in the fringe
benefits
in the budget. Mr. Schrader stated
that was due to retirement and health insurance.
He also stated that there would be various changes in department’s
figures for this because departments were calculating it incorrectly.
Mr. Willcox discussed the miscalculation.
Mr. Schrader pointed out that there was an increase in Health Insurance. Mr. Behrenfeld stated that this would apply to all department
budgets. Budget A1711, Insurance,
has increased slightly. Mr.
Schrader stated that we currently have a $250,000 deductible on policies and
then we have fender bender/small claims. There
is money set aside in an Insurance Reserve Fund.
If that fund can be built up, ideal level of $750,000, then we can allow
for higher deductibles and therefore lower policy costs.
The county does have a change in insurance from time to time.
CSEA is in A1990 Contingency in the Budget because at the time the budget
was prepared the CSEA contracts were not prepared.
Ms. Tytler asked about retroactive pay.
Mr. Schrader stated that retroactive pay would be issued in a lump sum.
The new pay scale will begin in January 2006.
Mr. Schrader stated that he had a meeting with SPCA.
In that meeting, the operation of the organization was discussed.
Mr. Schrader has asked the SPCA to provide him with further information.
Dr. DiGiovanni has requested that the budget be left alone unless they
provide further information. If
need be the budget can be amended on the floor.
Publicity & Tourism, Promotion of Industry, Performing Arts, Library,
Historical Society and Conservation Programs budgets were discussed.
No changes were made to these budgets.
Cornell Cooperative Extension budget was discussed.
Dr. DiGiovanni stated that Cornell Cooperative Extension agency
presentation to the committee was exemplary.
Chairman Steve left the meeting.
2.
District Attorney –
Dr. DiGiovanni questioned Mr. Hartnett, District Attorney, as to
why
there was an increase in felony files. Mr.
Hartnett expressed it was due to the simple fact that there is an increase in
crime. Proportionally it is spread
out across the board. The City of
Cortland is up significantly and there has been a fair amount of activity in
Cortlandville. Contrary to Federal
reports, property crime has increased, drug related crimes are up and other
proportionate increases throughout the county.
Ms. Breed asked what our conviction rate is in Cortland County.
Mr. Hartnett responded that the conviction rate for Cortland County is
98.2% and that number above the statewide number.
Mr. Hartnett discussed the need for another part-time District Attorney.
Additionally, he discussed the need for salary increases for his current
staff. Ms. Breed and Mr. Schrader
stated that they were aware of that and salary increases are scheduled to be
discussed in the near future.
3.
Public
Defender/Conflict Attorney – Mr. Behrenfeld asked Mr. Dayton if he was comfortable
with the proposed budget for Public Defenders office. Mr. Dayton responded yes but the numbers are conservative.
He also explained to the committee the need for a Conflict Attorney.
Currently, the conflicts are assigned outside the Public Defenders Office
and due to the increase in these fees it would be more cost effective to have a
Conflict Attorney. Mr. Hartnett
expressed concerns related to the Conflict Attorney’s Office.
Mr. Schrader stated that he was aware of those issues. Ms. Brown asked if it would be more beneficial to hire two
part-time employees versus one full-time. Mr.
Schrader stated again that he was looking at all the issues related to the
Conflict Attorney’s Office and that we need to address some of these issues to
the courts, judges and municipalities and request their assistance.
Mr. Dayton stated that if the Conflict Attorney Office’s budget is not
approved, funding will needed to be added to his office’s budget to address
the conflicts. Mr. Willcox proposed
cutting a half-time position from the Public Defender’s office.
He questioned the need for that position with a new Conflict Attorney and
the mitigation of scheduling. Ms.
Breed made a motion to amend the budget and reflect the elimination of a new
part-time Assistant Public Defender; seconded by Dr. DiGiovanni.
All members
voting in favor; none opposed; amendment to the budget adopted.
4.
County
Administrator – Mr. Schrader addressed that the creation of a new position of
Administrative Secretary was to replace the reduction of another position.
Mr. Schrader believes that this position is needed and is already filled.
He stated that the position is
working out and duties are being done. Mr.
Schrader expanded and said that we have and still are fixing the “system’
and once we have done that we must continue to maintain the “system.”
Mr. Willcox brought up issues related to contracts.
Mr. Schrader stated that he currently does not review contracts prior to
them being signed but would like to. It
was also stated the County Legislature would like to review contracts in advance
of meetings. Ms. Breed stated that
the procedure of contracts should be addressed.
5.
Coroners
– Mr. Behrenfeld questioned the increase in Removal/Transfer/Moving Expenses.
Mr. Schrader stated this was due in part by poor billing procedures by
Cortland Memorial Hospital, we are still paying bills from 2004, and due to an
increase in the number of people dying. The
issued was raised about how long a bill is valid for.
Mr. Schrader stated that the Legislature should look at this issue and
possibility of passing a resolution that would address it.
He also stated that the prior Coroner’s Office did a poor job taking
care of administrative issues. Dr.
DiGiovanni stated that is a committee issue and changing the Coroner’s Office
from the jurisdiction of the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee to the
jurisdiction of the falls under the Health Committee should be considered.
Dr. DiGiovanni would like to look at this issue and change the Coroner’s
Office to Health Committee. Dr.
Giovanni further explained the historical background and why the Coroner’s
Office was placed under the jurisdiction of the Judiciary and Public Safety
Committee but time have changed and the appropriate place for this department is
under the Health Committee. The
possible review of a Medical Examiner was discussed.
Mr. Schrader added and said that if this department was to fall under
Public Health there may be some further funding available.
This issue will be addressed later.
6.
Elections
– Mr. VanDonsel addressed his concerns that his budget is not adequate with
7.
Real Property Tax – There are no issues with this budget at this time.
8. Treasurer – Mr. Ferris stated that historically there is a
difference from one year to the next. Lately
in Cortland County sales tax revenue has decreased.
Mr. Schrader is projecting a 2% increase in revenue.
He stated that spending habits are changing.
People are using disposable income to buy gas.
Mr. Ferris voiced his concerns about budgeting and projecting revenue too
high. Ms. Brown made a motion to
amend the budget to reflect Sales & Use Tax revenue be decreased to
$12,600,000, seconded by Ms. Tytler. Ms.
Brown, Ms. Tytler and Dr. DiGiovanni voting in favor; Ms. Breed, Mr. Willcox and
Mr. Behrenfeld opposed; no amendment to the budget was made. Mr.
Behrenfeld questioned the increase in Interest & Earnings revenue.
Mr. Schrader stated that figure was based upon the amount of money we
have in the bank and the increase interest rates.
He does not feel this number was overstated and should not be changed.
Mr. Ferris stated that he has issues with the Payroll Coordinator moving
from the Treasurer’s Office to Personnel.
Mr. Schrader stated that the decision to move that position has already
been approved and it is just a formality to actually move that person.
Mr. Schrader stated that Mr. Ferris has been given the authority to hire
a new accountant and just has not done it.
Mr. Willcox and Mr. Ferris discussed the idea of expediting the process
of property foreclosures of the County. Mr.
Ferris did point out that it is not cost effective to sell one property at a
time. It is more effective to sell
a group and some of the costs can be shared by multiple property sales.
Mr. Ferris addressed his concerns about the change to his requested
budgeted amount for Copying/Printing charge.
He did not need to buy any preprinted checks in 2005 but will need to in
2006. Dr. DiGiovanni made a motion
to amend the budget to reflect an increase in the budget for Copying/Printing
for the Treasurer’s Office to $4,600, seconded by Ms. Tytler. All
members voting in favor; none opposed; amendment to the budget adopted.
8.
Audit Department -
Mr. Behrenfeld stated that this budget is primarily the same as last
9.
Buildings & Grounds – Mr. Parker addressed the committee.
Dr. DiGiovanni
questioned
with three new positions why has the overtime pay increased. Mr. Parker stated that the primarily function of overtime is
for ice and snow removal. Mr.
Behrenfeld questioned Mr. Schrader as why he increased the amount of funding for
building repairs above the amount that the department requested.
Mr. Schrader stated that the department simply underestimated this, the
department’s responsibilities have increased and they are more of a “county
wide Building and Grounds.” Mr. Schrader will meet with the department and
discuss more efficient ways to remove snow and ice.
10.
Information Technology
– Mr. Corpora discussed the increases from the 2005.
11.
County Attorney --
Mr. Bardsley addressed the committee and stated that he and his
office
are discussing ways to expedite the process of property foreclosures.
Mr. Schrader expressed the need for a full-time County Attorney.
Mr. Bardsley expanded upon that stated that there is also a need to
increase the number of Paralegal staff. Mr.
Schrader expressed that a full-time County Attorney would be beneficial.
Mr. Behrenfeld suggested that Mr. Bardsley start his request in the
appropriate statutory committee. The
committee also suggested that he complete a report on the costs associated with
his department that are not addressed within his budget.
No changes to this budget were made.
12.
Personnel/Civil Service
– There
are no issues with this budget at this time.
13.
County
Clerk/Motor Vehicle – Mr. Behrenfeld questioned the increase in revenue.
Mr.
Schrader
stated that the figure is based upon the receipt of a new contract that involves
the processing DMV work for New York City car dealers. This is the reason for justification of the new Motor Vehicle
Examiner. There were no other
issues with this budget at this time. Ms.
Larkin was unable to attend the discussion of the County Clerk’s Budget and
the committee will reschedule her at a later date if she so desires.
Meeting adjourned at 1:12 p.m.