1. County Legislature – Mrs. Breed asked if we had 20 legislators? Mr. Schrader responded "no." Mr. Schrader indicated that this is because the Chairman’s position is broken in to two line items. Mrs. Breed asked why copying and printing was increased. Mr. Schrader indicated that this is tied in to the contract for the copier. The question was why was postage/mailing increased. Mrs. Breed feels that $3,500 is sufficient for mileage reimbursement. Some Legislators submit vouchers for reimbursement for travel to meetings, others do not. However, all Legislators are entitled to this. Mrs. Tytler indicated that a policy should be put in place regarding the time frame for submitting vouchers for mileage reimbursement. Chairman Steve asked what the "modified" budget number is. Mr. Schrader indicated that in this case, this is actual expenses. Mr. Behrenfeld feels that these numbers are reasonable. Mrs. Tytler asked why the professional services were cut so much. Mr. Schrader indicated that hopefully we won’t need this next year.

2. Authorized Agencies – Mr. Schrader addressed the manner in which funding will be distributed to the authorized agencies in 2005. This will be done through the Convention and Visitors Bureau. CVB is getting $255,000 to manage all of the agencies that have been handled in the past through the occupancy tax. There will be a program forthcoming to fund some of the agencies through real property taxes instead of through the occupancy tax. There is a "pool" of money to help the museums and historic properties to assist them with operating expenses. This account is for operational expenses, not for marketing and tourism expenses. Mr. Schrader spoke out Soil and Water Conservation District. He feels we are not in a position to provide them additional funding, so he recommends that we leave the funding at the 2004 funding level. The question was raised about the Fish/Game and Federation of Sportsmen. Funding is for stocking programs and educational programs that assist the community. Mrs. Tytler would like to look further at the funding level for the Soil and Water Conservation District to see if we have any opportunities for additional funding. Mr. Schrader indicated that the "Agriculture and Livestock" is actually the Cornell Cooperative Extension. Mrs. Breed feels there allocation should be increased. Chairman Steve explained that the 2005 allocation is exactly what they are getting now. Mrs. Breed explained the depth of the programs they provide for the community. Mr. Schrader clarified that many of the programs Cooperative Extension provide are funded through direct contracts with some of our departments, such as DSS and the Health Department. Mrs. Brown would like to know the total funding they receive including the contracts they have with our departments.

3. District Attorney – Mr. Behrenfeld asked about the additional assistant DA. Mr. Schrader indicated that an additional part-time DA was added at the beginning of this year. There is an increase of approximately $28,000 over the 2004 to cover the part-time DA that was added in January of this year. Mr. Behrenfeld asked what the increase in publications is for. Mr. Schrader explained the publications. Mr. Willcox asked about the Education and Training. Mr. Schrader explained about the CLE requirements. Mr. Schrader explained that the increase in witness fees is because he is trying to fund the unanticipated so that we don’t have to cut in to the contingency fund for every little item. The consensus of the committee was to change the witness fees to $9,000 instead of $10,000. Mrs. Brown asked what "fuel costs" are? Mr. Schrader indicated that it is for gasoline. Chairman Steve asked what "Miscellaneous Supporting Services" are? Chairman Steve asked why the increase in insurance? Mr. Schrader indicated it was because the department did not make the appropriate request in the budget based on the usage by employees in the department. Mrs. Brown asked Mr. Schrader asked if raises were planned in this budget for 2005 contracts. The raises for the 2005 contracts were budgeted in, but management and CSEA raises have not been budgeted.

a. Grand Jury – this is part of the DA’s budget.

4. Public Defender – The increase in this department is due in large part to the assigned council fees and due to the increase in the salary for the full-time assistant Public Defender. The consensus was to leave the budget as presented. Dr. DiGiovanni is concerned about the increase in retirement. Mr. Schrader will verify the number because he believes the number should be much lower.

6. Coroners – This is a relatively flat budget. The decrease is due to the change in the removal/transport of bodies.

7. Audit Department – Mrs. Breed indicated that she wants to cut the Deputy County Auditor position. Mrs. Breed contends that the position is not needed with the Auditor and the Junior Accountant. Mr. Whitt believes this is a small price to pay for utilizing his expertise in other areas. Chairman Steve indicated that the staffing is required to get the "no contract no payment" policy under control. He also expressed that better auditing needs to be done. The consensus was to leave this alone at this point. Mrs. Breed still feels the Deputy County Auditor position needs to be eliminated.

8. Treasurer – Revenue is increasing. The line is being held tight on other items, such as personnel and fringes. Professional Services have been cut in half. Mr. Schrader indicated that is because the Single Audit expense has been allocated to a new line item. Chairman Steve asked about interest and earnings. What are we actually at? Mr. Schrader responded we are at $75,000. Mr. Schrader addressed the suggestion of the position changes relative to this department. Mr. Schrader indicated that the position being created is in response to the recommendations of the APAT to get the best accounting and financial information for the County. There needs to be expertise in municipal accounting in the office. Mr. Ferris indicated that in his budget request, he was aware there was a possibility of moving the Payroll Coordinator, and therefore he put a request in for an accountant in a replacement position. If the Payroll Coordinator did not move, he would like to change one of the positions – Sr. Account Clerk – to an Accountant position. Mr. Schrader indicated that the need for municipal accounting background is needed/required in that department regardless of what happens with payroll. Mr. Ferris agreed with this. Mr. Ferris indicated that he did not have any major issue with this budget. A majority of it is what he requested.

9 Budget Office – Occupancy Tax – This is now under the Legislature and has been talked about.

10. County Clerk/Motor Vehicle – The revenue decrease is because there was an overestimation last year in the users fees brought in by DMV. The estimation was based on all registrations when in reality, the user fee applies only to cars and trucks – not snowmobiles, trailers, etc. Mrs. Tytler asked about printing and copying being double from this year. Why? It is due to the copier contract being moved in to a different line from where it is reflected this year. Mrs. Tytler asked about the lack of training and education funding in the budget, since we are obligated by contract to pay for education. Mrs. Tytler asked about the tuition reimbursement portion of the contract. Mr. Schrader explained where departments have not utilized this benefit, the departments did not budget for any usage of the benefit. There are no funds budgeted for future course work in any department. If the contract language continues, we will have to adjust the budget accordingly within each department. The consensus was to leave the budget alone.

12. Personnel/Civil Service – The change in the personnel line is because the Payroll Coordinator position is proposed to move to the Personnel Office from the Treasurer’s Office. The person in the position will not change, just the position will be reassigned. Mr. Ferris asked to speak about moving the Payroll Coordinator position. There was discussion about how the incumbent in this position also melds with the Delinquent Tax Receiver position as a back up to the person. Mr. Schrader indicated that this move was proposed last year; it was delayed as we were not ready. Mr. Schrader indicated that the transfer will not happen on January 1. It will not happen until we have the time and attendance software and the Personnel Department is comfortable with the changes.

13. Elections – The numbers are almost identical to 2004. The question is what the "temporary clerk" is. Mr. VanDonsel explained that this is to cover when one of the Clerks is on vacation. Mr. Behrenfeld asked if Mr. Howe is comfortable with the $13,500. Mr. Howe feels comfortable with this. Mr. Howe is concerned about the telephone cost. He’s not certain the budgeted amount will cover the usage next year, since it is a local election year. Mr. Howe would like $200 additional for phone coverage. Per consensus of the committee, the budget is left alone. The consensus was to leave the budget alone.

14. Buildings & Grounds – Overall, there is healthy increase in revenue and a healthy increase in salaries. Mrs. Breed asked what rental is? Mr. Parker responded that it was 37 Church Street. The increases are due to taking over Dwyer Park, 37 Church Street, Horizon House, the office building for Highway Department. Mr. Schrader’s assumption is that new position will take care of Dwyer Parker, 37 Church Street, Horizon House, and Highway, as well as learning the Public Safety Building. Mr. Parker doesn’t believe we will run any safety risks with the shortage of the proposed budget from his request. However, he is concerned about how things will get done. Mr. Parker asked Mr. Schrader about the money he put in the budget for the buy out of vacation time when the HVAC technician retires in September 2005. Mr. Parker indicated that they will make do as they always have. Mr. Schrader indicated that one of the things that needs to be looked at are the significant numbers of absences in the department (for legitimate reasons). Chairman Steve feels that we have options with Dwyer Park maintenance – one being not filling it and one budgeting for only a half-year. We are looking at having CRT maintain the downstairs of the Pavilion so that would not fall under the guise of the County. He is also looking at having ATI participants or jail trustees do the maintenance at the park. Chairman Steve can see adding one position but not two positions. Mrs. Brown asked about the drastic increase in repairs and maintenance. The response was that it is for equipment.