Budget and Capital Committee

January 8, 2007

3 p.m.

Scott Heyman Conference Room

Present:  M. Koplinka-Loehr, M. Hattery, K. Luz Herrera, R Booth (arrived at 3:53 p.m.); N. Shinagawa (arrived at 3:40 p.m.)

Staff:   S. Whicher, P. Younger, M. Lynch, County Administration; D. Squires, Finance; M. Pottorff, Legislature Office

 

Called to Order

 

            Mr. Koplinka-Loehr called the meeting to order at 3:35 p.m.

 

Changes to the Agenda

 

            There were no changes to the agenda.

 

Approval of Minutes of December 11, 206

 

            It was MOVED by Mr. Hattery, seconded by Ms. Herrera, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to approve the minutes of December 11, 2006 as submitted.  MINUTES APPROVED.                                

 

Chair’s Report

 

            Mr. Koplinka-Loehr reported at the end of 2006 a survey was conducted of Legislators about priorities that came up during the Expanded Budget Committee.   At the end of that survey it came to the his attention that ideas that came from department heads and cabinet meetings had not been included; therefore, this project was suspended.  Mr. Koplinka-Loehr said he will be discussing how to move forward with this with Ms. Younger.

 

Finance Director’s Report

 

Mr. Squires reported on a revenue anticipation note sale held January 3rd and stated the County received an interest rate of 3.61 percent.  He also reported the Audit Subcommittee will meet on January 22nd.   It was agreed that Legislative membership would continue to be Legislators Booth, Sigler, and Shinagawa. 

 

Mr. Shinagawa arrived at this time.

 

Mr. Squires also reported the County received a check for $108,000 which is the Medicare Part D subsidy. 

 

He stated that sales tax receipts for December were below last year; he estimates total receipts to be in the range of $27,200,000 close to the budgeted figure of $27,171,000.  He said this will be the first time the sales tax has not contributed to the balance in the General Fund at year-end.  He guesses the General Fund balance will decline by $2 million because of low sales tax receipts, an overrun in the Assigned Counsel Program, funding issues in the Education of Preschool Handicapped Children’s Program, and because of Jail boardout expenses.  Currently, an average of 25 inmates are being boarded out of the Jail.   Mr. Koplinka-Loehr said these, along with several other factors, will be taken into consideration when the Legislature discusses goal-setting at the retreat planned for late April.

 

2                 County Administrator’s Report

 

            Mr. Whicher had no report.

 

3                 Public Information Officer’s Report

           

Ms. Lynch reported the Public Information Advisory Board will meet on January 11th.

 

On December 14 the advisory board decided they would like to hold community budget information sessions that would be focused on budget priorities.  They are still trying to figure out what the session would entail, but the consensus is that there will be three regional meetings throughout the County with the intention of bringing everything together at the end.  She said they are trying to design the sessions in a manner that will provide another source of meaningful input for the Legislature to discuss during the April retreat.  Ms. Lynch said some of the issues they are discussing is how to make these groups representative of the entire community and what sorts of information do Legislators need and want.  

 

RESOLUTION NO.       – APPROPRIATION FROM CONTINGENT FUND – TERMINAL PAY DEPARTMENT OF PROBATION AND COMMUNITY JUSTICE

 

            It was MOVED by Mr. Hattery, seconded by Mr. Shinagawa, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to approve the following resolution and submit to the full Legislature.

 

            WHEREAS, the Department of Probation and Community Justice had a Probation Supervisor and a Probation Officer retire effective November 30, 2006 and October 28, 2006 respectively, and

            WHEREAS, the Fiscal Policy of Tompkins County allows for terminal pay from the Contingent Fund, now therefore be it

            RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Public Safety and Budget and Capital Committees, That the Director of Finance is hereby authorized and directed to make the following budget appropriation:

            FROM:                         A1990.54440            Contingent Fund                                  $12,167

            TO:                  A3141.51000211        Probation Supervisor                               $   1,203

                                    A3142.51000211        Probation Supervisor                           $   4,812

                                      A3142.51000585      Probation Officer                                $   2,738

                                    A3141.58800              Fringes                                                            $      469

                                    A3142.58800             Fringes                                                            $   2,945

 

 

* * * * * * * * * *

Budget Survey

 

            Mr. Whicher provided a brief overview of the 2007 budget development feedback form and noted responses were still being received this morning.  He said initial responses are intriguing and some of the conclusions are a desire by department heads, but not Legislators, to review the over-target process; a stronger need for benchmarking is seen by department heads rather than by Legislators; there is a very strong desire on both sides to have a dialogue between department heads and Legislators. 

 

            Mr. Booth spoke to having a dialogue between Legislators and department heads and suggested Legislators meet with groups of department heads and suggested breaking them into representatives of small, medium, or large departments.   Mr. Whicher suggested the Legislature meet with the cabinets for 2 hour sessions that are well-scripted.  Ms. Herrera suggested holding three meetings.

 

            Mr. Whicher said the survey data and comments are extremely fruitful and informative.

 

A comment was raised that the term “trust” was used often in the responses.    Mr. Booth said a fair amount of what goes on during a budget process invites conflict between those who are professionals and those in the Legislature.  Although he believes it can be worked on to be reduced, it can not be eradicated. 

 

Members of the Committee were asked to read the document and come back to the next meeting with comments/suggestions.

 

Solid Waste Refund List

 

            This item was withdrawn until the next meeting.

 

Committee Goals

 

            This item will be placed on the next agenda.

 

Adjournment

 

The meeting adjourned at 4:25 p.m.

 

 

Respectfully submitted by Michelle Pottorff, TC Legislature Office

 

 

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