Approved Minutes

Legislative Session

 October 25, 2007 - 6 PM Meeting

 

Meeting was called to order at 6:02 PM by Chairman Brown, followed by the Salute to the Flag 

The Clerk took Roll Call with all members recorded as present.

The minutes of September 27, 2007 Legislative Meeting were unanimously approved.

PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR

No one signed in to speak

PROCLAMATIONS & RECOGNITIONS

Chairman Brown asked Amanda Barber and Danny Ross to present recognitions to the Twin Oaks Dairy represented by Kathie Arnold, Cobblestone Valley Farm represented by Paul and Maureen Knapp and McMahon EZ Acres represented by Michael McMahon. Mr. Ross read the recognition for the Agricultural Environmental Management Sign Award they received and expressed the legislature’s gratitude for their individual efforts. Ms. Barber added that these three farms will be honored with large roadside signs, as part of an ongoing program, to honor the stewardship of their land.

            The Clerk read a Proclamation declaring Red Ribbon week as October 22 thru 28, 2007. Legislator Sean Clark presented the recognition to Marilyn Wilbur and JoAnn Wickman thanking them for all their efforts for a drug free community.

On the motion of Mr. Cornell, second by Mr. Spaulding and all members voting aye the Legislature moved into executive session at 6:09 PM to meet with Attorney Greg Gates regarding litigation.  Chairman Brown asked Mr. Schrader and Ms. Barber to remain.

Meeting reconvened at 6:20 PM.

RECEIVE AND FILE REPORTS OF STANDING, SPECIAL AND ADHOC COMMITTEES

Reports of Petition and Notice of Foreclosure from the Cortland County Treasurer were received and filed.

RESOLUTIONS

On motion of Ms. Brown, second by Mr. Troy and all members voting aye Agenda No. 1 became Resolution No. 301-07 Reappoint Members to Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board.

On motion of Ms. Brown, second by Mr. Cornell and all members voting aye                        Agenda No. 2 became Resolution No. 302-07 Appoint Member Tompkins Cortland Community College Board of Trustees.

On motion of Ms. Brown, second by Mr. Spaulding and all members voting aye                        Agenda No. 3 became Resolution No. 303-07 Appoint Members Community Services Board Mental Health.

On motion of Ms. Brown and Ms. Price, second by Mr. Spaulding and all members voting aye Agenda No. 4 became Resolution No. 304-07 Urge Immediate Passage and Chaptering of Assembly Bill 5333 to Combat Medicaid Waste, Fraud and Abuse.

On motion of Mr. VanDee, second by Mr. Cornell Agenda No. 5 was introduced. Mr. Williams referred to the Resolve statement in the resolution and asked if we have an estimate of what the remaining funds might be. Mr. Schrader referred to page 206 of the tentative budget, stating that there is an insurance reserve fund that gives a projected balance as of 12/31/07 of $444,000. We are adding to the $394,911 already there. Mr. Willcox asked if that is self-insurance. Mr. Schrader answered yes.  Adopted by all members voting aye, Agenda No. 5 became Resolution No. 305-07 Amend 2007 Budget, Liability Insurance.

On motion of Mr. VanDee, second by Mr. Spaulding Agenda No. 6 was introduced. Mr. McKee asked what the interest rate will be on the bond. Mr. Schrader estimated that it would be in the neighborhood of 4 %. Mr. McKee asked what the interest rate might have been without our new bond rating. Mr. Schrader answered in the neighborhood of 4-½ %. Adopted by all members voting aye, Agenda No. 6 became Resolution No. 306-07 A Resolution Authorizing the Issuance of $2,000,000 Serial Bonds of the County of Cortland, New York, to Pay Part of the $6,736,120 County of Cortland’s Share of the Tompkins Cortland Community College Campus Master Plan Recreational Facility Improvement.

On motion of Mr. Clark, second by Mr. Troy and all members voting aye, except Mr. Willcox voting nay Agenda No. 7 became Resolution No. 307-07 Authorize Agreement/Accept Funds Health Administration Special Pedestrian Traffic Grant.

On motion of Mr. Clark, second by Ms. Price and all members voting aye Agenda No. 8 became Resolution No. 308-07 Authorize Agreement/Accept Funds Health Administration Traffic Safety and Injury Prevention Program.

On motion of Mr. Clark, second by Mr. Troy and all members voting aye Agenda No. 9 became Resolution No. 309-07 Authorize Agreement/Accept Funds Health Department/Administration/Special Programs Breast & Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program.

On motion of Mr. Clark, second by Mr. Spaulding and all members voting aye Agenda No. 10 became Resolution No. 310-07 Authorize Agreement/Accept Funds Health Department Tobacco Enforcement Program.

On motion of Mr. Clark, second by Mr. Cornell Agenda No. 11 was introduced. Mr.

Williams said that by his estimate we are expending approximately ¼ million dollars on audits that include outside and inside audit expense. He stated that at some point we should look at this as a total entity and provide better service for less money and put out an RFP for the whole package. Ms. Breed agreed. Chairman Brown requested that the County Administrator address this ongoing issue relative to auditors. Mr. Schrader said that we are in fact consolidating auditors. This is a new audit contemplated for a different auditor. We asked for proposals from auditors that we use and this came in identical to a RFP of a new auditor. Mr. Schrader said if it is the wish of the legislature to go out for RFP’s we can do that. Mr. Williams said that the auditor selected for this resolution has been on our books since old rooms were new. Mr. VanDee added that this auditor has done an excellent job for the County. Chairman Brown requested that Mr. Schrader provide the legislature an estimate of what we are spending on auditors and report back by the next legislative session. Adopted by all members voting aye, except Ms. Breed, Mr. Willcox and Mr. Williams voting nay Agenda No. 11 became Resolution No. 311-07 Authorize Agreement Health Department/Diagnostic and Treatment Center Auditor.

On motion of Mr. Clark, second by Ms. Price and all members voting aye Agenda No. 12 became Resolution No. 312-07 Amend Budget Transfer Funds Health Department, Children with Special Needs Division.

On motion of Mr. Clark, second by Mr. Spaulding and all members voting aye Agenda No. 13 became Resolution No. 313-07 Authorize Agreements Health Department (Nursing Division) MOMS Program Provider Physicians.

On motion of Mr. Clark, second by Mr. Cornell and all members voting aye Agenda No. 14 became Resolution No. 314-07 Authorize Agreement Health Department (Nursing Division) Cortland Regional Medical Center/Childbirth Classes.

On motion of Mr. Clark, second by Mr. Spaulding and all members voting aye Agenda No. 15 became Resolution No. 315-07 Authorize Agreements Health Department (Nursing Division) (Contracted Services).

On motion of Mr. Clark, second by Mr. Troy and all members voting aye Agenda No. 16 became Resolution No. 316-07 Authorize Agreements Health Department (Nursing Division) (Contracted Services).

On motion of Mr. Clark, second by Mr. VanDee and all members voting aye Agenda No. 17 became Resolution No. 317-07 Authorize Agreements Health Department/Children with Special Needs Division (Contract for Services).

On motion of Mr. Clark, second by Mr. Spaulding and all members voting aye Agenda No. 18 became Resolution No. 318-07 Authorize Agreement Cortland County Health Department (Nursing Division) Thornberry, Ltd.

On motion of Mr. Clark, second by Mr. Troy and all members voting aye Agenda No. 19 became Resolution No. 319-07 Authorize Agreement Cortland County Health Department (Nursing Division) FGA Software Solutions.

On motion of Mr. Clark, second by Ms. Price and all members voting aye Agenda No. 20 became Resolution No. 320-07 Abolish/Create Mental Health Department Secretary I/Senior Account Clerk.

On motion of Mr. Clark, second by Ms. Price and all members voting aye Agenda No. 21 became Resolution No. 321-07 Amend Budget Mental Health Department (NYS Office of Mental Retardation/Developmental Disabilities).

On motion of Mr. Clark, second by Mr. Cornell and all members voting aye, except Ms. Breed and Mr. Willcox voting nay Agenda No. 22 became Resolution No. 322-07 Authorize Agreement Mental Health Department FCS Psychiatry Recruitment Services.

On motion of Mr. Tagliente, second by Mr. Troy and all members voting aye Agenda No. 23 became Resolution No. 323-07 Multi-Modal #4 Agreement Highway Department. Mr. Tagliente thanked Assemblywoman Lifton for making these funds available to the County.

On motion of Mr. Tagliente, second by Mr. Armstrong and all members voting aye Agenda No. 24 became Resolution No. 324-07 Rental Contract/Highway Department.

On motion of Ms. Price, second by Mr. Troy and all members voting aye Agenda No. 25 became Resolution No. 325-07 Authorize Agreement Cortland County Area Agency on Aging, Department of Social Services, and NYS Office of the Aging (Cortland County NY Connects: Choices for Long Term Care).

On motion of Ms. Price, second by Mr. Cornell Agenda No. 26 was introduced. Ms. Breed asked if this agreement is for rent only or does it include utilities.  Robin Sandwick answered that the agreement is for rent and utilities. Chairman Brown asked if it included maintenance. Ms. Sandwick answered no.  Adopted by all members voting aye Agenda No. 26 became Resolution No. 326-07 Authorize Lease Agreement Department of Employment and Training (Calabro Properties, Inc.).

On motion of Ms. Price, second by Mr. Troy Agenda No. 27 was introduced. Ms. Price commended Commissioner Monroe for her scrutiny and analyzing vacant positions prior to filling them. Ms. Breed agreed. Adopted by all members voting aye Agenda No. 27 became Resolution No. 327-07 Abolish/Create Department of Social Services Secretary I/Keyboard Specialist.

On motion of Ms. Price, second by Mr. Spaulding and all members voting aye Agenda No. 28 became Resolution No. 328-07 Resource Allocation Plan NYS Office of Children and Family Services Youth Bureau.

On motion of Mr. Daniels, second by Mr. Spaulding and all members voting aye Agenda No. 29 became Resolution No. 329-07 Amend 2007 Budget Fire and Emergency Management (Cincinnatus UHF Satellite Tower).

On motion of Mr. Daniels, second by Mr. Cornell and all members voting aye Agenda No. 30 became Resolution No. 330-07 Authorize Agreement NYS Office for Technology and Cortland County.

On motion of Mr. Cornell, second by Mr. McKee Agenda No. 31 was introduced. Ms. Breed asked if this will eventually reduce staff time. Mr. Schrader said it will do that but it is primarily aimed at reducing record storage space. Adopted by all members voting aye Agenda No. 31 became Resolution No. 331-07 Authorize Contract County Clerk’s Office Document Management System.

On motion of Mr. Cornell, second by Mr. Hartnett Agenda No. 32 was introduced. Ms. Price said she received many phone calls regarding the County Health Insurance and this resolution is evidence that legislators listened to the concerns. Ms. Tytler said she appreciated the chance to review this and say that there may have been a lower price however there are costs involved with any type of transition that neutralize that difference. The other network was not as expansive as people would like. She commended the legislature for considering all the variables. Chairman Brown agreed and stated that we are responding appropriately.  Adopted by all members voting aye Agenda No. 32 became Resolution No. 332-07 Award Proposal/Authorize Agreement Third Party Administration/Cortland County Health Insurance.

On motion of Mr. Ross, second by Ms. Price and all members voting aye Agenda No. 33 became Resolution No. 333-07 Amend Budget Planning Department (5311 State Transportation Operating Assistance Program).

On motion of Mr. Ross, second by Mr. Spaulding and all members voting aye Agenda No. 34 became Resolution No. 334-07 Amend 2007 Budget Planning Department (5311 Operating Assistance.

            Chairman Brown asked Mr. Schrader to present the tentative 2008 Budget. Mr. Schrader said he comes bearing tidings of good news. The document before you proposes a property tax decrease of 4 %. Additionally it contains a levy reduction of ½%, which reduces our reliance on real property tax dollars. He said historically the plan was to restore the County’s financial condition and to reduce the burden on property owners. We have achieved those goals. Chairman Brown asked Mr. Schrader for the dollar figure that will be returned to taxpayers. Mr. Schrader said that our tax rate is currently at $14.90 per thousand; proposed to be $14.31 per thousand or a .60 reduction. On a $100,000 home that is a savings of about $60. That may not seem to be a lot but it is a whole lot better than going the other direction. He continued saying that the budget proposes to use four million dollars of fund balance. Our overall spending is 114 million dollars however when you factor in the double calculations that amounts to 80-85 million. He said that all County departments need to be commended for their efforts to provide cost effective services. He cautioned however that 3.9 million dollars is a lot for a fund balance and strongly urged that legislators don’t go further there and relive the sins of the past. Mr. VanDee reminded all that we have given sales tax monies back to the City, Towns and Villages that affect the budget also. Mr. Willcox asked Mr. Schrader how we are handling State and Federal Grant monies. Mr. Schrader said that we have accelerated our payments due from the State and Federal sources. He referred to page 11 that charts those monies and page 5 that describes costs of the mandates.

Mr. Schrader continued, as part of the continual reorganization of our departments, there are 15 new positions as well as 15 deletions of positions. There are some part time going full time particularly with the District Attorney and Public Defender’s Offices.  He referred to Appendix A- Fund Balance, B- Reserve Fund C- Debt Outstanding and E Capital Purchases. He recommends no change in sales tax for 2008. Mr. Willcox asked if gas prices go to $4 a gallon, do you recommend we still go after the tax on that $4. Mr. Schrader explained that there is only so much disposable income and if we were to cap gas at $3 we would only be hurting ourselves. It would have a significant impact on the budget. Mr. Schrader said he has recommended management salary increase at 3%. He also recommends that we bond for two pieces of equipment in the highway department ($440,000). He said that we are almost to the point of paying for our equipment through our budget without having to borrow. Further, he recommends specific tax relief for Senior Citizen exemption as the last was given in 1991 and income levels need adjustments. He explained that if we do this by the end of the year it will go into effect at the end 2009; if we wait it will be 2010 to implement the changes. He further recommends a Cold War Exemption authorized by the State Legislature. A third exemption for Volunteer Firemen and Ambulance workers needs further study due to several glitches in the wording especially with the IRS requirement to issue W2 forms as a requirement.

Mr. VanDee announced that there will be three Budget and Finance Meetings to review the tentative budget on Monday, October 29 at 1 PM, Wednesday, October 31 at 1 PM and Thursday, November 1 at 1 PM. He cautioned the committee not to make further cuts. Mr. Schrader said with the increase in the General Fund of $700,000 within an 85 million dollar budget is almost unheard of. There is no room for cuts. Mr. Cornell commended Mr. Schrader for a job well done. Mr. Schrader replied that most of what has happened here is the support of the legislature as you set the policies, goals and objectives. Chairman Brown reminded legislators that Mr. Schrader told us that he would not be popular and this has come to pass; the proof was within the pudding. Ms. Breed asked Mr. Schrader to explain the table on page 10- Use of Fund Balance. Mr. Schrader said he was unable to fill in the 2008 numbers until the comptroller’s office provides direction. He said that this is our constitutional tax limit. At one point we were at the 97% limit. We are going to come in at the low to mid 80’s with the use of no fund balance. He stressed again that using the fund balance is a dangerous tool to balance budgets if used improperly. Mr. Willcox asked what affect revals have on the percentage. Mr. Schrader said that revals always help. If we were to feel the impact of revals it would have been last year as two major towns did revals, whereas this year there were none. He referred to chart on page 9 to show that revals have not affected this budget. We had $60 million in growth and that is not a substantial amount. $12 million of that is new construction and the rest revals. The higher our taxable value, the lower our tax rate will be and that is why it is so important to get new development to increase our tax base. He said the Super Wal-Mart will provide the ability to increase the base, not because of Wal-Mart per se but what will replace it. If Lowe’s goes into that location, that will increase our sales tax and property tax as well. Mr. Willcox asked who takes the hit. Mr. Schrader said the hit comes with increased services and the hope is that increased revenues will offset the cost of services. Mr. Tagliente said when he started as a legislator four years ago he could not believe how far behind the County was compared to the City who had a financial administrator. We were struggling with Highway funding and we have really come a long way. Chairman Brown said she initially was not in favor of an administrator because she thought it would just be another layer of government but she has changed her mind and commended Mr. Schrader.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Ms. Price announced that Carol Deloff has been surveying input regarding the Office of the Aging relocation to the South Main Street property. Ms. Tytler said that the Ad Hoc procedure of focus groups will be continued and she will be meeting with the staff tomorrow at 12:30 PM and on November 1^st with Seniors. That feedback will be presented to the Ad Hoc Committee for their consideration.

Mr. Cornell said that the CCTVS meeting will be held in 304 directly following session with Jeremy Boylan reporting on the Centennial Celebration and Ms. Tyler giving the DMV re-location power point presentation.

Meeting Adjourned at 7:20 PM

Minutes Prepared by Susan Morgan, Clerk