Budget and Finance Committee

November 21, 2006 at 7:30 AM

 

DRAFT MINUTES

 

Budget & Finance Committee Present:  Ron VanDee, Chairman; John Troy, Vice Chairman; Sean Clark, John Daniels, Danny Ross, Dan Tagliente, Newell Willcox

Buildings & Grounds Committee Present:  Steve Dafoe, Chairman; Dan Tagliente, Vice Chairman; Kay Breed, John Daniels, John Steger, Newell Willcox  -  Absent: Tom Hartnett

Others Present:  Scott Schrader, County Administrator; Marilyn Brown, Legislative Chairman; Angie Wyatt, Secretary to the County Administrator/Chairman-CCTSB; Dennis Whitt, County Auditor; Ric VanDonsel, County Attorney; Annette Barber, Personnel Director; Kristen Monroe, DSS Commissioner; Betsy Larkin, County Clerk;  Don Ferris, County Treasurer; Bill Cinquanti, Director-Real Property Tax Services, Brian Parker, Supervisor-Buildings & Grounds; Tim Smith, Deputy Supervisor; Corey Preston, Cortland Standard Reporter; Eric Mulvihill, WHXC Radio News Director/Vice-Chairman-CCTSB; Matt Pennello, Private Citizen; John Carroll, Private Citizen

The meeting was called to order at 7:30a.m. by Chairman, Ron VanDee

MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 19, 2006 MEETING;  THE  NOVEMBER 6, 2006 MEETING; THE NOVEMBER 8, 2006; AND THE NOVEMBER 9, 2006 MEETING MADE BY JOHN TROY - 2ND BY DAN TAGLIENTE - ALL VOTED IN FAVOR - PASSED

JOINT MEETING

BUDGET & FINANCE  -  BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS

Buildings & Grounds Committee Chairman, Steve Dafoe called the meeting to order at 7:32a.m.

Chairman Steve Dafoe requested that they go into executive session to discuss contract language – MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION MADE BY NEWELL WILLCOX – 2ND BY DAN TAGLIENTE – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 7:33A.M. – OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 7:45A.M.

 

  1. Award Bids, Law Library/Court Security Renovation/Relocation

 

Buildings & Grounds Committee:  MOTION BY JOHN DANIELS - 2ND BY DAN TAGLIENTE – VOTING YES:  DAN TAGLIENTE, JOHN DANIELS, JOHN STEGER, NEWELL WILLCOX – VOTING NO:  STEVE DAFOE & KAY BREED – ABSENT: TOM HARTNETT – PASSED WITH THE FOLLOWING:  AMENDMENT TO THE RESOLUTION TO INCLUDE THE CONTRACTORS/AMOUNTS AND THAT OTHER PROVISIONS BE INCORPORATED INTO THE CONTRACTS TO FURTHER FINANCIALLY PROTECT THE COUNTY, THAT A CLERK OF THE WORKS ALSO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE CONTRACT AND THAT SCOTT SCHRADER, COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO APPROVE CHANGE ORDERS.

 

Budget & Finance Committee:  MOTION BY JOHN TROY - 2ND BY DAN TAGLIENTE – VOTING YES:  JOHN TROY, SEAN CLARK, JOHN DANIELS, DANNY ROSS, DAN TAGLIENTE, NEWELL WILLCOX – VOTING NO:  RON VANDEE - PASSED WITH THE FOLLOWING:  AMENDMENT TO THE RESOLUTION TO INCLUDE THE CONTRACTORS/AMOUNTS AND THAT OTHER PROVISIONS BE INCORPORATED INTO THE CONTRACTS TO FURTHER FINANCIALLY PROTECT THE COUNTY, THAT A CLERK OF THE WORKS ALSO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE CONTRACT AND THAT SCOTT SCHRADER, COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR HAVE AUTHORITY TO APPROVE CHANGE ORDERS.

 

  1. Award Bids, Courthouse ADA Ramp Construction

 

Buildings & Grounds Committee:  MOTION BY JOHN TROY - 2ND BY KAY BREED                         

VOTING YES:  STEVE DAFOE, DAN TAGLIENTE, JOHN DANIELS, JOHN STEGER – VOTING NO: NEWELL WILLCOX – ABSENT:  TOM HARTNETT; LEFT BEFORE VOTE WAS TAKEN: KAY BREED – PASSED WITH THE FOLLOWING:  AMENDMENT TO INCLUDE CONSTRATOR/AMOUNTS AND THAT SCOTT SCHRADER HAVE AUTHORITY TO APPROVE CHANGE ORDERS.

Budget & Finance Committee:  MOTION BY JOHN DANIELS - 2ND BY JOHN TROY – VOTING YES:  JOHN TROY, SEAN CLARK, JOHN DANIELS, DANNY ROSS, DAN TAGLIENTE, NEWELL WILLCOX – VOTING NO:  RON VANDEE - PASSED WITH THE FOLLOWING:  AMENDMENT TO INCLUDE CONSTRATOR/AMOUNTS, THAT SCOTT SCHRADER HAVE AUTHORITY TO APPROVE CHANGE ORDERS; THE COST OF HEATING THE RAMP BE ELIMINTED AND THE COST OF LANDSCAPING BE REDUCED.

Discussion:  Since heating the ramp would cost too much, Scott Schrader recommended that this additional cost be eliminated.  Scott recommended that some of the landscaping costs be reduced as well.  Other ways of heating the ramp were discussed and Brian Parker will explore more options. 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Local Law for the Year 2006-Tabled from last meeting – MOTION BY JOHN TROY – 2ND BY SEAN CLARK TO SEND THE LOCAL LAW BACK TO THE FLOOR – VOTING YES:  RON VANDEE, JOHN TROY, SEAN CLARK, JOHN DANIELS, DANNY ROSS, DAN TAGLIENTE – VOTING NO:  NEWELL WILLCOX – PASSED

Discussion:  Ric VanDonsel met with the Cortland County Bar Association and they are in agreement with Assigned Counsel Plan except that the Office of Assigned Counsel should not be supervised by the Public Defender’s Office because it would still be a conflict.  The final Plan must be approved by the Administrative Judge.

RESOLUTIONS:

 

  1. Close Law Computers Capital Project/Transfer Funds Capital Projects Fund

MOTION BY JOHN DANIELS - 2ND BY – JOHN TROY - ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

Discussion: NONE

 

  1. Amend 2006 Budget, Liability Insurance

MOTION BY JOHN DANIELS - 2ND BY JOHN TROY -  ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

Discussion: NONE

 

  1. Home Rule Request, Mortgage Tax

MOTION BY JOHN TROY - 2ND BY JOHN DANIELS - ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

Discussion:  Cortland County is one of the few counties in the state that does not impose a local mortgage tax.  This would be a1/4% local tax on any new mortgage.  For a re-finance, the new money would be taxed.  This could generate $250,000 plus a year for the County.  It would mitigate locate property taxes by that amount.

 

  1. Revise 2007 Tentative Budget

MOTION BY JOHN DANIELS - 2ND BY JOHN TROY – VOTING YES:  RON VANDEE, JOHN TROY, SEAN CLARK, JOHN DANIELS, DANNY ROSS, DAN TAGLIENTE – VOTING NO: NEWELL WILLCOX – PASSED

Discussion:  Scott Schrader provided a written summary of the budget revisions and discussed them in more detail.  The revisions reduces the tax levy to 3.44%

 

  1. Adopt 2007 Budget

MOTION BY JOHN TROY - 2ND BY JOHN DANIELS - ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

Discussion: NONE

 

  1. Authorize Accounts Payable Year End Adjustments to 2006 Budget

MOTION BY JOHN DANIELS - 2ND BY JOHN TROY - ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

Discussion: NONE

 

  1. Amend 2007 Budget to Reflect State Administered Non Property Tax Levy

MOTION BY JOHN TROY - 2ND BY JOHN DANIELS - ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

Discussion: NONE

 

  1. Levy County Tax-City of Cortland

MOTION BY JOHN DANIELS - 2ND BY JOHN TROY - ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

Discussion: NONE

 

  1. Fix Date to Sign Warrants

 

  1. Levy Town Special District Taxes

 

  1. Levy Town General and Highway Taxes

 

  1. Levy Water Charges- Town of Scott

 

  1. Levy Water Charges- Town of Cincinnatus

 

  1. Levy Water Charges- Town of Cortlandville

 

  1. Levy Water Charges- Town of Harford

 

  1. Levy Sewer Charges- Town of Cortlandville

 

 17.  Levy Sewer Charges- Town of Cuyler

 

  1. Levy Sewer Charges- Town of Virgil

 

MOTION BY JOHN TROY - 2ND BY DAN TAGLIENTE – TO APPROVE RESOLUTIONS NO. 9 THROUGH 18 AS A BLOCK - ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

Discussion: NONE

 

  1. Levy Demolition Fee- Town of Virgil (PULLED)

CONSENT AGENDA:

 

At The Request Of Newell Willcox, Resolutions Pulled For Discussion:  20, 21, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 32 

 

MOTION BY JOHN TROY - 2ND BY DAN TAGLIENTE TO APPROVE RESOLUTION NUMBERS 22, 23, 25, 31, 33, 34, 35 AS CONSENT AGENDA – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR - PASSED

 

Referred from Buildings and Grounds:

Per Joint Meeting Above

 

Referred from Health Committee:

  1. Authorize Agreement/Accept Funds Traffic Safety/Child Passenger Safety Program – MOTION BY DANNY ROSS – 2ND BY SEAN CLARK – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

Discussion:  Newell Willcox wanted to know if this is the same as the S.T.O.P.P.E.D. Grant.  It is not.

  1. Authorize Agreement Health Department and Keegan Associates (Website Design) – MOTION BY DAN TAGLIENTE – JOHN TROY – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

Discussion:  Newell Willcox asked if this service went out to bid.  Scott Schrader explained that it does not have to go out to bid because it is a professional service.

 

  1. Amend Budget, NYS Office of Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Service

 

Referred from Highway Committee:

  1. Authorize Highway Equipment – Four (4) Snow Plow Trucks

 

  1. Authorize Solid Waste Equipment – On Road Tractor – MOTION BY JOHN TROY – 2ND BY DAN TAGLIENTE – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

Discussion:  Newell Willcox asked about a report.  Scott Schrader advised him that it was not ready yet.

 

  1.  Amend Capital Project Budget, Landfill Capping Project

 

Referred from Human Services Committee:

26.  Abolish/Create Department of Social Services Case Supervisor Grade A/Director of Social Services – MOTION BY JOHN TROY – 2ND BY JOHN DANIELS – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

Discussion:  This would increase responsibilities for the Director.  The Case Supervisor Grade A should have never been created.

 

Referred from Judiciary & Public Safety Committee:

  1. Authorize Agreement/Amend Budget (Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee-S.T.O.P.P.E.D.) – MOTION BY JOHN TROY – 2ND BY DAN TAGLIENTE – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

Discussion:  Newell Willcox asked what this is for and what it means by “link”.  Being present at this meeting due to normal job obligations, Cortland County Traffic Safety Chairman, Angie Wyatt and Vice Chairman, Eric Mulvihill advised the Committee that this grant provides funds for a program which allows for parents to be contacted if their children are pulled over and/or arrested for any traffic violations.  Parents must be registered with the Sheriff’s Department to participate in this program.  This “links” the law enforcement agency with parents in an effort to promote traffic safety among teenage drivers.

 

  1. Amend 2006 Budget/Transfer Funds 911 Center (Personal Service Accounts) – MOTION BY JOHN TROY – 2ND BY DAN TAGLIENTE – VOTING YES:  RON VANDEE, JOHN TROY, SEAN CLARK, JOHN DANIELS, DANNY ROSS, DAN TAGLIENTE – VOTING NO:  NEWELL WILLCOX - PASSED

Discussion:  Newell Willcox asked if this increases the budget.  Scott Schrader advised him that it does not.

 

  1. Amend 2006 Budget/Transfer Funds Jail Division (Personal Service Accounts) – MOTION BY JOHN DANIELS – 2ND BY JOHN TROY – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

Discussion:  NONE

 

  1. Amend 2006 Budget/Transfer Funds -Road Patrol (Personal Service Accounts) – MOTION BY JOHN TROY – 2ND BY RON VANDEE – VOTING YES:  RON VANDEE, JOHN TROY, SEAN CLARK, JOHN DANIELS, DANNY ROSS, DAN TAGLIENTE – VOTING NO:  NEWELL WILLCOX - PASSED

Discussion:  Sheriff Lee Price advised the Committee that the Road Patrol Division has 3 vacancies due to retirement and that it takes 6 months to fill the positions.

 

31.  Amend 2006 Budget/Transfer Funds- Jail (Medical Supplies)

 

32.  Amend 2006 Budget/Transfer Funds- Jail (Miscellaneous Supporting Services) – MOTION BY JOHN TROY – 2ND BY JOHN DANIELS – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR

Discussion:  This is for training the Correction Officers.

 

33.  Authorize Agreement/911 Center-AAT Communications Systems Corporation

 

34.  Authorize Agreement/Amend Budget Child Passenger Safety Program

 

Referred from Personnel Committee:

 

35.  Authorize Contract County Clerk as RMO Info Quick Solutions

DISCUSSION:

Tax Enforcement-This would move a lot of the responsibilities from Treasurer’s Office to the County Attorney Office.  There would need to be a formal proposal to delineate the process.  Don Ferris told the committee that there is a Law Firm in Rochester that provides Tax Enforcement services for municipalities.  They could expedite the process.  The Committee would like the County Treasurer and County Attorney to move forward with this coordinating effort and keep it in house.  Ric VanDonsel and Don Ferris will meet to discuss this and to move forward with it.

Taxpayers Tax Bills relating to the cost of elections imposed on Towns, Villages and City – This is a policy decision only.  The County is now paying all costs related to elections.  A new policy would charge each property owner the cost of covering the election charges – People would be ultimately paying for the right to vote.  The Committee consensus was not to do this for 2007 but may re-visit the issue next year.

Support of Lawsuit:  By consensus, the Budget & Finance Committee supports the following Resolution:  “Authorize Support of Suffolk County Lawsuit Against New York State Relating To The Replacement Of Lever Voting Machines Under Help America Vote Act”

Occupancy Tax Distribution – By consensus of the Budget & Finance Committee, the distribution of the Occupancy Tax funds will by done by the Budget & Finance Committee, as its been done in the past.  Presently, the Cortland County Visitors and Convention Bureau is given a lump sum to distribute for the promotion of tourism.

REPORTS:

2006 Third Quarter Sales Tax Distribution-Treasurer’s Office – Scott Schrader indicated that that the County is going to be very close to what was budgeted.  Don Ferris added that we are at 82% of the budget.  Scott Schrader advised the Committee that the Ό quarter ends December1st.

The meeting adjourned at 9:15a.m

Minutes prepared by Angie Wyatt, Secretary to Scott Schrader.

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