Budget and Finance Committee

November 20, 2007 at 7:30 AM

DRAFT MINUTES

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

Others Present: Scott Schrader, County Administrator; Marilyn Brown, Legislative Chairman; Angie Wyatt, Secretary to County Administrator; John Steger, Legislator; Carol Tytler, Legislator; Larry Cornell, Legislator; Mike McKee, Legislator; Sandy Price, Legislator; Carolyn Kennedy, Deputy Treasurer; Skip Chapman, Editor-Cortland Standard; Sue Morgan, Legislative Clerk; Kathie Arnold, Legislator-Elect; Evan Geibel, Cortland Standard; Eric Mulvihill, WXHC News Director

Chairman, Ron VanDee at 7:30a.m, called the meeting to order.

MOTION BY MR. TROY - 2^ND BY MR. CLARK TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 18, 2007 MEETING – ALL PRESENT VOTING IN FAVOR – MINUTES APPROVED

RESOLUTIONS:

Budget and Finance Committee Resolutions:

Amend Budget Community College Charge backs Treasurer – MOTION BY MR. TROY - 2^ND BY MR. CLARK - ALL PRESENT VOTING IN FAVOR – MOTION PASSES

Discussion: NONE

2. Authorize Apportionment of Mortgage Tax Monies Treasurer’s Office (Revised Version) – MOTION BY MR. TROY - 2^ND BY MR. CLARK - ALL PRESENT VOTING IN FAVOR – MOTION PASSES

Discussion: NONE

Increase Senior Citizens Tax Exemption (Real Property Tax Services) – MOTION BY MR. ROSS - 2^ND BY MR. TROY - ALL PRESENT VOTING IN FAVOR – MOTION PASSES

Discussion: Mr. VanDee commented that this is a good thing

Adopt 2008 County Budget – MOTION BY MR. TROY - 2^ND BY MR. ROSS

- ALL PRESENT VOTING IN FAVOR – 2008 COUNTY BUDGET ADOPTED BY THE BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMITTEE

Discussion: NONE

Authorizing Accounts Payable Year End Adjustments to 2007 Budget – MOTION MADE BY MR. TROY - 2^ND BY MR. TAGLIENTE - ALL PRESENT VOTING IN FAVOR – MOTION PASSES

Discussion: NONE

Consent Agenda Items pulled for further discussion: Agenda Item Number 19 – {Adopt Local Law Number 2 for the year 2007-A Local Law Setting the Salary of Election Commissioners For Cortland County in Compliance with Election Law §3-208

MOTION TO APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS NOS. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 & 18 MADE BY MR. TROY – 2^ND BY MR. TAGLIENTE – ALL PRESENT VOTING IN FAVOR – MOTION PASSES

CONSENT AGENDA:

Referred from General Services

6. Abolish/Create Building and Grounds Department Building Maintenance Worker/Building Maintenance Mechanic

Referred from Health Committee

Authorize Agreement/Accept Funds Health Department/Administration/Special Programs (Cancer Services Program)

Authorize Agreement/Accept Funds Health Administration Traffic Safety and Injury Prevention Program

Accept Funds Health Department (New York Dept. of Health Cost of Living Adjustments)

Amend Budget Mental Health Department (NYS Office of Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Services)

Referred from Highway Committee

Authorize Supplemental Agreement/ Verizon Page Green Road P.I.N. – 3753.50

Referred from Human Services Committee

Accept Grant/Amend Budget/Authorize Agreement Youth Bureau (A Partnership for Youth- WIA Grant Award)

Referred from Judiciary & Public Safety Committee

Authorize Agreement/Amend Budget Child Passenger Safety Program Sheriff's Department

Referred from Personnel Committee

Create Temporary Motor Equipment Operator Highway Department

Amend Management/Management Confidential Comp Policy Grade and Step Schedule for 2007

16. Revise Self Insurance Rates - Cortland County Employees’ Health Benefits Program

Authorizing an Agreement with CSEA Strategic Benefit Trust For the Provision of an Alternative Prescription Drug Program Under the Cortland County Health Plan
Approve Cooperative Grant Submission Cortland County/ City of Cortland Mobile Shelving Unit at Records Center

PULLED FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION:

19. Adopt Local Law Number 2 for the year 2007 A Local Law Setting the Salary of Election Commissioners For Cortland County in Compliance with Election Law 3-208 – MOTION BY CHAIRMAN BROWN – 2^ND BY MR. ROSS – ALL PRESENT VOTING IN FAVOR WITH AMENDED AMOUNT – MOTION PASSES

Discussion: There was an error in the salary amount. Section 2 should read “The salary for the Cortland County Commissioner of Election who’s term begins the first day of January 2008, shall be $29,968.00 for the first year of his or her two-year term and $27,176.00 for the second year of said term, and for each year thereafter unless changed according to law.” Chairman Brown would like the salary to be $26,385.00 for the second year of said term and thereafter. Mr. Troy agreed with Chairman Brown. Chairman Brown further indicated that these are part-time positions and that it unfair to other County employees. Mr. Schrader indicated that another local law could change it. Personnel Committee Chairman, Mr. Cornell feels that the salaries should remain as specified in Local Law Number 2 for the year 2007. Legislative Clerk, Ms. Morgan advised the Committee that the local laws have to be on the Legislators’ desk for 7 days and the legal ad has to be to the Cortland Standard 5 days prior to the Legislative Session on the 29^th of November so she will need to take care of it today. MOTION BY MR. ROSS – 2^ND BY MR. DANIELS TO ADOPT LOCAL LAW NUMBER 3 FOR THE YEAR 2007 – A LOCAL LAW SETTING THE SALARY OF ELECTION COMMISSIONERS FOR CORTLAND COUNTY IN COMPLIANCE WITH ELECTION LAW §3-208 – ALL PRESENT VOTING IN FAVOR – MOTION PASSES

COPY OF LOCAL LAW 2 FOR 2007:

Adopt Local Law Number 2 for the year 2007

A Local Law Setting the Salary of Election Commissioners

For Cortland County in Compliance with Election Law 3-208

WHEREAS, The County Legislature of the County of Cortland wishes to establish and set a salary for Commissioners of Election in compliance with Section 3-208 of New York State Election Law for and during the upcoming terms of office for Commissioners of Election beginning January 1, 2008 and January 1, 2009 respectively, AND

WHEREAS, the County Legislature of the County of Cortland intends to comply with the decision of the Honorable Kevin M. Dowd, Supreme Court Justice, in Howe and Wood v. Cortland County (index Number: 40342), NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT

BE IT ENACTED BY the Cortland County Legislature as follow:

Section 1. Each Election Commissioner shall receive equal salary.

Section 2. The salary for the Cortland County Commissioner of Election who’s term begins the first day of January, 2008, shall be $29,968.00 for the first year of his or her two-year term and $27,176.00 for the second year of said term, and for each year thereafter unless changed according to law.

Section 3. The salary for the Cortland County Commissioner of Election who’s term begins the first day of January, 2009, shall be $27,176.00 for the first year of his or her two-year term and $27,176.00 for the second year of said term, and for each year thereafter unless changed according to law.

Section 4. Said salaries herein established shall remain unchanged unless or until the County Legislature establishes a new salary for the position in compliance with law and rule, AND

Section 5. This Local Law shall take effect upon Permissive Referendum and filing with the Secretary of State of the State of New York.

COPY OF LOCAL LAW 3 FOR 2007:

Adopt Local Law Number 3 for the year 2007

A Local Law Setting the Salary of Election Commissioners

For Cortland County in Compliance with Election Law 3-208

BE IT ENACTED BY the Cortland County Legislature as follow:

Section 1. Each Election Commissioner shall receive equal salary.

Section 2. The salary for the Cortland County Commissioner of Election who’s term begins the first day of January, 2008, shall be $29,968.00 for the first year of his or her two-year term and $26,385.00 for the second year of said term, and for each year thereafter unless changed according to law.

Section 3. The salary for the Cortland County Commissioner of Election who’s term begins the first day of January, 2009, shall be $26,385.00 for the first year of his or her two-year term and $26,385.00 for the second year of said term, and for each year thereafter unless changed according to law.

Section 4. Said salaries herein established shall remain unchanged unless or until the County Legislature establishes a new salary for the position in compliance with law and rule, AND

Section 5. This Local Law shall take effect upon Permissive Referendum and filing with the Secretary of State of the State of New York.

DISCUSSION

Review of proposals for Appraisal work 13-15 Elm Street

Executive Session for discussion of litigation regarding the Indigent Defense Program

Moose Property-County Attorney

THE DISCUSSION ITEMS WERE POSTPONED DUE TO THE ABSENCE OF COUNTY ATTORNEY, MR. VANDONSEL. A BUDGET & FINANCE MEETING WILL BE HELD PRIOR TO THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION ON NOVEMBER 29, 2007.

City of Cortland/Sales Tax Agreement – Mr. VanDee brought up the letter to the Editor from City Administrator Andrew Damiano that was in the Cortland Standard around budget time and feels that it is an awful way of doing business. Mr. VanDee feels that a 9.9% increase will hurt the senior citizens the most. He would like to send a resolution to the full Legislature to re-open negotiations of the Sales Tax Distribution Agreement. Chairman Brown indicated that at the time of the sales tax negotiations, the City was willing to give the Town of Cortlandville ½%. Mr. Ross feels that there should be better cooperation between the County and the City in regards to the library and recreational activities. Mr. Daniels feels that there should be more consolidation. Chairman Brown said that the Highway Department has consolidated services with towns and villages. She also feels that no one wants to give up their turf. Mr. Cornell mentioned that when the CCTVS Committee had presentations on municipal consolidation and shared services, there was no representation from the City. Ms. Tytler believes that consolidation takes time. Mr. VanDee believes the issue now is the re-negotiation of the sales tax agreement because of Mr. Damiano’s letter. MOTION BY MR. VANDEE – 2^ND BY MR. DANIELS TO SEND A RESOLUTION TO THE FULL LEGISLATURE TO RE-OPEN NEGOTIATIONS OF THE SALES TAX DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT – ALL PRESENT VOTED IN FAVOR – MOTION PASSES

COPY OF PROPOSED RESOLUTION:

ON MOTION OF MR. VANDEE AGENDA NO.

Re-Open Negotiations of

Sales Tax Distribution Agreement

WHEREAS, Cortland County entered into a sales tax agreement with the City of Cortland as authorized by §1202 of the Tax Law of the State of New York by Resolution Number 323-06 on September 28, 2006, and

WHEREAS, the City of Cortland is having financial difficulty and is facing raising the City of Cortland property taxes by approximately 9%, and

WHEREAS, the City of Cortland is receiving 17.75% of sales and use tax revenue for the year 2007 and will be receiving 18% for the year 2008 and 18.24% for the year 2009, and

WHEREAS, the Budget and Finance Committee of the Cortland County Legislature recommends that sale tax distribution negotiations be re-opened to assist the City of Cortland, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED, that the County Administrator request that the City of Cortland and Towns and Villages open the currant agreement to re-negotiate the terms and conditions of that agreement.

1890 House – Mr. Troy asked that now that the 1890 House has requested funding from the Occupancy Tax revenue, should a resolution be drafted. Mr. Schrader said that it can be done at the December meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:00a.m.

Minutes taken and prepared by Angie Wyatt, Secretary to County Administrator