November 10, 2005 at 7:30 am
APPROVED MINUTES
Members: Dr. Paul DiGiovanni, Vice Chairman; Kay Breed, Marilyn Brown, Danny Ross, Carol Tytler, Newel Willcox
Others Present: Scott Schrader, Scott Steve, Chairman of the Legislature; Katrina Spicer, Donald Ferris, Carolyn Kennedy, John Carroll, Bill Cinquanti, Eric Mulvihill, Patrick Ruppe, Lee Price
Absent: Kurt Behrenfeld, Chairman
Dr. DiGiovanni called the meeting to order at 7:35 a.m.
Mr. Willcox moved adoption of the minutes of the September 8, 2005 meeting; seconded by Ms. Tytler.
Ms. Breed moved to amend the minutes to include changes and referred changes to the Clerk of the Legislature, seconded by Ms. Tytler.
All
members voting in favor, none opposed,
Ms. Tytler moved adoption of the minutes of the October 12, 2005 meeting; seconded by Ms. Brown.
Ms. Breed moved to amend the minutes to reflect that Chairman Steve entered the meeting after Consent Agenda and referred changes to the Clerk of the
Legislature, seconded .
All
members voting in favor, none opposed, minutes approved as amended.
Ms. Tytler moved adoption of the minutes of the November 1, 2005 meeting; seconded by Ms. Breed.
All
members voting in favor, none opposed, minutes approved as amended.
Ms. Tytler moved adoption of the minutes of the November 2, 2005 meeting; seconded by Ms. Brown.
All members voting in favor, none opposed, minutes approved as amended.
Mr. Willcox moved adoption of the minutes of the November 2, 2005 meeting; seconded by Ms. Breed.
All members voting in favor, none opposed, minutes approved as amended.
The members requested the items 16, 29 and 32 be removed from the consent agenda, and acted upon separately. Ms. Brown moved adoption of the consent agenda, with the above items removed; seconded by Ms. Tytler.
All
members voting in favor; none opposed; consent agenda adopted.
CONSENT AGENDA:
Referred from Agriculture & Planning Committee:
12. Adopt Local
Law No. 5 of the Year 2005: A Local
Law Authorizing the County of Cortland to Make Application for Re-designation of
Certain Areas Within the County of Cortland as an Empire Zone
13.
Declaration of Lead Agency Cortland County Empire Zone
14.
SEQR Resolution
15. Support Amendments to the General Municipal Law Allowing
Participation of Municipal Board Members serving on County Planning Boards in
all Deliberations of the Planning Board, Planning Department
17. Urge Federal Government to Reauthorize the Milk Income Contract
(MILC) and Further Assist the New York State Dairy Industry Cortland County
Planning Department
18.
Authorize Application for
Section 5311 Annual Operating Assistance Cortland County Planning Department
19. Amend Resolution 267-05 (Cortland County Farmland Protection Purchase of Development Rights Program – Monitoring Plan)
Referred
from Health Committee:
22. Amend Budget/Amend Agreement, Mental Health Department (Catholic Charities
23. Authorize Agreement, Mental Health Department (DuQuesne University)
Referred from Highway Committee:
24. Lime Hollow Clean-Up, Highway Department (Landfill)
25. Authorize Assignment of Lease Agreement, Cortland County Airport, Hangar MH-3
Referred from
Human Services Committee:
26. Resource Allocation Plan, NYS Office of Children and Family Services, Youth Bureau
27. Increase Petty Cash Account, Area Agency on Aging (Nutrition Program)
28. Amend Budget, Department of Social Services (HEAP)
Referred from Personnel Committee:
30.
Amend Flexible Spending Plan
31. Authorize Agreement EBS Benefit Solutions (Medicaid Part D Attestation)
33. Authorize Agreement/ Information Technology (PAETEC Communications, Inc.)
34. Authorize Agreement, Information Technology (Folder/ Sealer Machine)
RESOLUTIONS:
Budget and Finance Committee Resolutions:
1.
Amend Budget/ Transfer
Funds, Community College Chargebacks
– Ms. Brown moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Willcox.
All members voting in favor; none
opposed; resolution adopted.
2. Create Temporary Secretary I, County Administration Department – Mr. Willcox moved adoption ; seconded by Ms. Tytler. Mr. Schrader stated that this position was to cover another position for someone who was on medical leave. All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
3.
Authorize Apportionment of
Mortgage Tax Monies, Treasurer’s Office
– Mr. Willcox moved adoption; seconded by Ms. Brown. Mr. Ferris explained that these are figures forwarded from
the County Clerk’s Office and they are State approved figures.
All members voting in favor; none
opposed; resolution adopted.
4.
Authorize Agreement, Assessment Services (Real Property Tax Services)
– Ms. Brown moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Willcox.
Mr. Schrader and Mr. Cinquanti discussed the need to contract Mr. Briggs
to provide assessment services to the three Towns mentioned.
Ms. Tytler questioned if this was a financially a good idea for the
County. Mr. Cinquanti discussed the
financial role and impact from this agreement.
Enough revenue will be generated to offset the cost.
All members voting in favor; none
opposed; resolution adopted.
5.
Authorize Agreement
Renewal, Town of Preble (Real Property Tax Services)
--
6.
Authorize Agreement
Renewal, Town of Scott (Real Property Tax Services)
--
7. Authorize Agreement Renewal, Town of Cuyler (Real Property Tax Services) -- Ms. Brown moved adoption of agenda items 5, 6 and 7; seconded by Mr. Willcox. All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
8. Amend Budget, Coroner’s Office – Mr. Willcox moved adoption; seconded by Ms. Brown. Mr. Schrader discussed the possibility of this budget being higher by the end of the year. All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
Dr. DiGiovanni had to leave the meeting at 8:05 a.m. and turned over the
meeting to Ms. Breed.
11.
Amend 2005 Budget, Sheriff’s Department (DWI) – Ms. Brown
moved adoption; seconded by Ms. Tytler. Mr.
Schrader stated that revenues are more than projected and this is an opportunity
to restore enforcement. All
members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
16. Support Creation of New York Agricultural Land Trust
Cortland County Planning Development
– Mr.
Willcox moved adoption; seconded by Ms. Tytler. The monitoring and management of this plan was discussed.
Paragraphs four and five of the resolution and possible conflict with
Agenda Item No. 19 were discussed. Ms.
Breed moved to amend the resolution by eliminating paragraphs four and five;
seconded by Mr. Ross. All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
Referred from Personnel Committee:
29. Revise Self-Insurance Rates for the Cortland County
Employees’ Health Benefits
Dr.
DiGiovanni returned to the meeting at 8:40 a.m.
The minutes have reflected that he left after
32.
Authorize Agreement/ Systemed for Prescription Drug Program
Administration – Ms. Brown moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Breed.
This resolution was moved from Personnel Committee to Budget and Finance
Committee for further discussion. The
committee was provided with Cortland County, PBM Financial Comparison of
Critical Areas (Fixed Cost Only) handout, which was prepared by Benefit
Consulting Group, LLC. Different
plans as shown on the handout were discussed.
Mr. Schrader stated that we go forward with the resolution and if
PharmaCare meets the reduction requested then the resolution can be amended.
All members voting in favor; none
opposed; resolution adopted.
DISCUSSION/PRESENTATIONS/REPORTS:
1. Balance Sheets for September 2004 and September 2005 – Treasurer’s Office – Ms. Kennedy and Mr. Ferris presented Balance Sheets to the committee. An error was pointed out on the balance sheet. Ms. Brown moved to table the discussion of these Balance Sheets until next meeting when an accurate Balance Sheet can be prepared; seconded by Ms. Breed. All members voting in favor; none opposed; motion carried.
2. 2005 Third Quarter Sales Tax Distribution – Treasurer’s Office – Ms. Kennedy and Mr. Ferris presented 2005 Third Quarter Sales Tax Distribution Report to the committee. Ms. Brown made a motion to receive and file the 2005 Third Quarter Sales Tax Distribution Report; seconded by Ms. Tytler. The committee discussed the report. All members voting in favor; none opposed; motion to receive and file carried.
3. Mortgage Tax Distribution Report – Treasurer’s Office -- Ms. Kennedy and Mr. Ferris presented Mortgage Tax Distribution Report to the committee. Ms. Tytler made a motion to receive and file the Mortgage Tax Distribution Report; seconded by Ms. Brown. The committee discussed the report. All members voting in favor; none opposed; motion to receive and file carried.
RESOLUTIONS:
Budget and Finance Committee Resolutions:
9.
Revise 2006 Tentative Budget
– Ms. Brown moved adoption; seconded by Ms. Breed.
Mr. Schrader distributed a Report and Recommendations of Budget &
Finance Committee on the 2006 Tentative Budget to the committee.
Ms. Breed questioned the Health Insurance Repayment of $60,000.00.
Ms. Breed made a motion to amend the 2006 Tentative Budget to reflect the
change at page 73, A9060 Medical Benefits, line 58805 to be changed to
$1,570,128.00; seconded by Mr. Willcox. Ms.
Breed, Mr. Willcox, Ms. Tytler and Dr. DiGiovanni voting in favor; Ms. Brown and
Mr. Ross opposed; motion carried. Ms. Breed questioned the impact Management Comp will have on the budget.
Mr. Schrader stated he built it in the Contingency Budget.
Ms. Breed questioned if the CSEA numbers are firm.
Mr. Schrader responded that they are.
Mr. Price expressed the need for full-time dispatchers in his department.
Mr. Schrader understood the concerns expressed by Mr. Price but expressed
that he feels we should give the new system time to mature.
The training and hours of part-time dispatchers was discussed. The effectiveness of part-time dispatchers was discussed.
The over-time and scheduling for dispatchers was discussed.
The committee discussed a certified copy of the budget being filed with
the Clerk of Legislature. Mr.
Schrader stated that if there are any questions with the validity of the
numbers, they can be checked against the master, filed with the Clerk of the
Legislature. Chairman Steve discussed the need for an easier way to
compare, not only Cortland County’s within the county, but to other county’s
state wide. Dr. DiGiovanni stated
that he has had this discussion with Mr. Schrader.
Mr. Schrader discussed the revenue and expenditures and an understanding
of the financial position. Chairman
Steve expressed his concerns of numbers being distorted. Mr. Schrader discussed the Budget Message published in the
2006 Tentative Budget. The method
in which fund balances can be returned to the taxpayers was discussed.
The differences between tax relief and capital projects was discussed.
Chairman Steve left the meeting at 10:20 a.m.
One-time
expense Highway Projects were discussed. Non-reoccurring
charges and one-time expenses were discussed.
Mr. Schrader stated that this tentative budget and a worst- case
scenario. The funds are just
budgeted, cost saving measures are implemented to decrease spending.
Mr. Carroll discussed outstanding balances and the fact that they should
not be credited to the current Administration.
Mr. Carroll stated that these outstanding balances are revenues from two
or three years back. Mr. Schrader
acknowledged what Mr. Carroll discussed. Mr.
Willcox stated that a portion of the increased Fund Balance should go back the
taxpayers. Constitutional Tax
Limits were discussed. The
committee discussed Custodians for Mental Health. Mr. Schrader stated that there is a difference of $400 to
contract them out versus taking care of it in-house. Mr. Schrader stated that there is a great deal of control
lost if it is contracted out. He is
not willing to give-up that control for $400.
The budgeting for Health Department was discussed.
The fact that each department should be held accountable for their
budgets and should make their cases for certain needs at the appropriate times
was also discussed.
Mr.
Willcox left the meeting at 10:45 a.m.
Mr.
Schrader stated that he would like to see that departments are trying to fix any
inefficiency. He would like to see that they are exhausting all
possibilities prior to hiring a new position.
A discussion of the submitting of a budget and the running of
services/programs by department heads having equal important.
The differences of budgeting for annual projects and bonding of capital
projects were discussed. All
members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
10.
Adopt 2006 County Budget
– Ms. Breed moved adoption; seconded by Ms. Brown.
The scheduling of a special meeting for the Personnel Committee and
Budget and Finance Committee to be held Tuesday, November 15, 2005 after the
Public Hearing was discussed. Changing
of the budget up to the day of the vote was discussed.
All members voting in favor; none
opposed; resolution adopted.
Mr. Schrader expressed that if anyone was planning on amending the budget on the floor there is a form to go with the amendment. Mr. Schrader stated that he is available to assist with the form.
The decreased value of the Tobacco Securitization was discussed briefly.
Ms. Breed made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Ms. Tytler. The meeting adjourned at 11:09 a.m.