November 2,
2005 at 8:00 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, Katrina Spicer, Patrick Ruppe, Lee Price, Marty Coolidge,
Carol Deloff, Jackie Gailor, Jane Goldner, Bob Duell, Tom Huttleston, MJ Uttech,
Harriett Webb
Mr.
Behrenfeld called the meeting to order at 8:05 a.m.
BUDGET/REVIEW:
1.
Area Agency on Aging
– This budget has some increased revenue due partly to some
changes
in funding. Ms. Deloff stated that
historically the agency had a longer wait list for individuals in need of home
care services, currently they only have 45 people on that list.
This is due to increased funding. Ms.
Deloff stated that she has increased in personnel by one 20 hour week person.
People are asking for home care because it will allow them to stay in
their homes versus go to a nursing facility.
Mr. Behrenfeld questioned if there had been a change in numbers for
people. Mr. Schrader and Ms. Deloff
expressed that there has been a change in the allocation of the money.
Mr. Schrader expanded by stating that in the past the budgets for the
grants received did not include the personnel expenses to implement the
programs. Grant funding can be used
to offset personnel cost. Mr.
Schrader stated his understanding that we would like to provide the services but
we also need to realize the expense involved with providing the services.
He has tried to mitigate figures in the 2006 Tentative Budget to reflect
these costs and bills. Mr.
Schrader stated that we need to maximize state aid but at the same time we need
to minimize the cost to the county. Ms.
Deloff expressed the reason for the increase in Nutrition Program budget is due
to increase costs. Ms. Breed
expressed her concerns with HEAP and the elderly this year.
Mr. Schrader stated that the City of Cortland would help with city
residents. Ms. Breed expressed the
need to notify the public of the programs.
Ms. Deloff stated that she has an outreach program in place and they will
do all they can. Ms. Breed
complimented Ms. Deloff and stated that the Area Aging Office does a great job.
Ms. Deloff stated that her department has already processed over 600
applications for HEAP. All they do is process the application and forward them to
Department of Social Services. The
actual money for HEAP goes through Social Services.
2.
911 – A question was raised about Court Attendants and Mr. Schrader stated
that they are
needed
for court security and that those positions are 100% state aided.
Many of the committee members questioned the large amount of funds
budgeted for overtime for the 911 center.
Mr. Schrader stated that overtime is requested to use for training
dispatchers on the new software. He has also done some reorganization this year; he has
created a Technical Supervisor position. Ms.
Brown questioned part time dispatchers. Mr.
Schrader stated that we are authorized to have 10 part timers.
Mr. Price stated that at the present time only a 9 are filled.
He is the process of training a new dispatcher.
Dispatchers are paid while they are being trained.
Mr. Schrader stated that the major reason for overtime is because of the
vacancies in the full time positions. Mr.
Schrader stated that we are losing dispatchers to the City Fire Department. The
County cannot compete with those salaries.
These positions must be filled with qualified personnel with required
training. There have been
difficulties filling the part-time and full time positions.
3.
Sheriff
– Mr. Behrenfeld asked the committee if they had any questions related to the
budget for the Sheriff’s Department. Ms.
Tytler questioned the increase in revenue.
Mr. Schrader stated that the figures were based on the current 2005
revenue and the general trend. The
addition to the amount the Sheriff’s department budgeted for is due to money
received from municipalities. Mr.
Price stated that the changes in salaries are due to the increases from the “step
program” but also there are decreases from the filling of new positions.
Mr. Behrenfeld stated that overall there is an increase in the Sheriff’s
Departments budget. Mr. Schrader stated that this is due to additional expenses,
for example, increase in motor vehicle costs.
There is a need to up date the department’s fleet of cars.
Currently there are 15 cars in the fleet used for patrol and
administration. The life expectancy of the vehicles is about 4 to 5 years. Every
year we should be replacing 3 cars. Mr.
Schrader stated that he has a schedule in place for the replacement of cars for
the department. Mr. Price stated
that he is working with the Fire Department Coordinator in regards to a truck
used to haul HazMat. Mr. Willcox questioned the increase in Clothing and
Uniforms. Mr. Price stated that is due to the hiring of new personnel,
therefore new uniforms. Mr. Price
expressed his concerns related to the fuel prices. His current 2005 budget is running low. He would like to see an increase in his 2006 budget.
Dr. DiGiovanni questioned the vacant and new positions for the Jail.
Mr. Price stated that he has a difficult time keeping the positions
filled. He also stated since they
are boarding out there is a great deal of time spent traveling back and forth
for Court and other things. Ms.
Breed expressed concerns for Technical Equipment and Furniture. Mr. Willcox and Ms. Breed questioned budgeting for Other
Compensation. Mr. Schrader
expressed that over time is not included, it is for additional pay and certain
shift differential pay. Mr.
Behrenfeld asked about the budget for Computer Equipment.
Mr. Schrader expressed that this included radios, chairs, etc.
Mr. Schrader stated that he does not think we were not in need of a new
fingerprinting system, but he did not believe that it needed to be taken from
the General Fund. Ms. Breed
questioned why so much money is put into chairs.
Mr. Price expressed that they are specialty chairs for dispatchers.
Mr. Behrenfeld questioned Mr. Price as to why a decrease in money for
repairs and maintenance. Mr.
Schrader stated that is because the money is put into the Buildings and Grounds
budget. Mr. Willcox asked why some
money is left in the budget for the jail for repairs and maintenance. Mr. Schrader and Mr. Price expressed that certain things,
such as locking mechanisms in the jail itself should not be dealt with by
Buildings and Grounds. Mr. Schrader
expressed the need for a new jail. Mr.
Schrader stated that there is a need for a new jail in Cortland County.
The new jail would increase revenue and decrease the expense of boarding
out. Ms. Tytler expressed her
concerns with female inmates. Mr.
Schrader agreed that there are concerns that need to be addressed.
Mr. Schrader expressed that revenues for the Stop DWI program have
flattened out and expenditures have not decreased.
The fund balance was built up but has dwindled down. Mr. Schrader does not propose funding for a new position.
4.
Probation – Ms. Goldner the main reason for increased revenue is
due to an agreement with Department of Social Services to fund PINS Program.
There was no change to this budget.
5.
Alternatives to
Incarceration – Ms. Goldner stated that this falls under the Probation Department.
6.
Fire and Emergency
Management – Mr. Willcox questioned the requested increase in
funding
for Clothing and Uniforms. Mr.
Schrader stated that the request was for purchasing formal dress uniforms for
the department. Mr. Schrader did
not approve this request.
7. Safety Office – Dr. DiGiovanni questioned the budgeting of funds for
Technical Equipment. Mr. Huttleston
stated that it is budgeted just in case it is needed. He stated that over the past few years he has not used the
money.
8.
Weights and Measures
– There are no issues with this budget at this time.
Chairman Steve addressed issues related to Tobacco
Securitization. Chairman Steve will
be bringing these issues before the entire Legislature in a special meeting to
be held on Thursday night.
9.
Health – Dr. DiGiovanni stated that
the Family Enrichment Center plans on opening in
January.
Ms. Tytler stated that this program could create potentially significant
changes and save in transportation costs. Mr.
Schrader agreed that there would be a savings.
Dr. DiGiovanni expressed concerns that the system has no checks and
balances. Other facilities make recommendations and send us the bill.
We have no say in how this money is spent.
Questions were asked by the committee members as to why the decrease in
revenue. Ms. Gailor stated that is due to a rollover amount and the
grant year does not coincide with the budget year.
Additionally, the revenue decreased because the department expenses
decreased. Mr. Schrader stated that
a change has been made in the methodology of the way we apply for grants.
Mr. Willcox questioned an increase in Healthy Heart.
Ms. Gailor stated that it was a direct grant money offset that changed. Mr. Behrenfeld asked why there was a decrease in Office
Supplies. Ms. Gailor stated that
was, again, grant related. The
committee addressed legal notices and their effectiveness. Ms. Gailor expressed the need for an addition to the office
staff for Environmental Health. Currently
people that are to be in the field are being used to man the phones. Many small
items that need to be done could be done by a clerical position.
Dr. DiGiovanni suggested that we reevaluate this clerical position at a
later date. Mr. Behrenfeld
questioned why the revenue increased in the nursing program.
Ms. Uttech expressed that there is an emphasis on reimbursement for
funds, being paid more for doing the same.
Mr. Behrenfeld addressed any new positions.
Ms. Gailor expressed that she is still trying to fill the current ones.
Dr. DiGiovanni addressed the need for nurses.
Ms. Gailor expressed that there is a huge need for nurses with experience
but the County cannot compete with the salaries offered by facilities.
Cost of computer software increases and motor vehicle costs were
discussed. Dr. DiGiovanni discussed Hospice. One client could essentially break the budget in this area.
Mr. Willcox addressed the cost of Malpractice Insurance.
In the Children With Special Needs department, revenue has decreased due
partially to decrease in grants and less state funding.
Dr. DiGiovanni stated that Ms. Webb did an outstanding job presenting the
Health Department Budget.
Meeting adjourned at 12:04 p.m.