MINUTES
Budget and Fiscal Policy Committee
December 19, 2000
4:30 P.M.
Courthouse Conference Room

Present: T. Joseph, Chair; P. Penniman; T. Todd; S. Davis (arrived at 4:39 p.m.); F. Proto (arrived at 4:42 p.m.)
Staff: K. Smithers, Deputy County Administrator; R. Erb, County Administrator; S. Robinson, Criminal Justice; N. Schuler, Board Members

Guests: A. Young-Richardson, TCTFBW/CSAP; M. Dill, Human Services Coalition; I. Weiser, TFBW Board Chair; A. Fuhr, TCTFBW/CSAP
 
 

Called to Order

Chair Joseph called the meeting to order at 4:35 p.m.

Resolutions
 

  Changes in Charge Structure - Home Health Care

It was MOVED by Mr. Penniman, seconded by Mr. Todd, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to submit the following resolution to the full Board for approval:

RESOLUTION NO. - AUTHORIZING CHANGES IN CHARGE STRUCTURE - TOMPKINS COUNTY HOME HEALTH CARE - HEALTH DEPARTMENT WHEREAS, Tompkins County’s accounting consultant, Michael McCarthy, CPA, has recommended changes in the Certified Home Health Agency fee structure to maximize Medicaid and Medicare revenues, and

WHEREAS, New York State currently promulgates rates on the day the County legislature approves them and it is therefore, desirable for Tompkins County to adopt the 2001 rates in December 2000, and

WHEREAS, all changes proposed were made to align charges with actual costs per unit of service as determined during Mr. McCarthy’s most recent financial and statistical analysis, now therefore be it

RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Health and Human Services and Budget and Fiscal Policy Committee, That the Tompkins County Health Department implement the charge structure below, as recommended by Michael McCarthy, CPA, in order to maximize Medicaid and Medicare revenues.

2001 Tompkins County Home Health Care Fee Schedule

2000 2001

Nursing $ 99.00 $102.00 High Tech Nursing $105.00 $110.00

Physical Therapy $ 90.00 $ 92.00

Speech Therapy $ 90.00 $ 95.00

Occupational Therapy $ 90.00 $ 92.00

Medical Social Work $ 90.00 $ 90.00

Home Health Aide $ 32.00/hour $ 34.00/hour

$ 65.00/visit $ 65.00/visit

 SEQR ACTION: TYPE II - 20

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Task Force for Battered Women

Ms. Dill explained the resolution and the funding needed for the interim.

Ms. Davis and Mr. Proto arrived at this time.

Ms. Smithers spoke about the funding and said this can be handled as a contract and budget adjustment. She said that when funding is uncertain, it can be revisited if the revenue that is anticipated is not received.

Mr. Proto asked if other organizations have been approached. Ms. Dill said there hase been fundraising efforts. In addition, she said the organization has been looking for an Executive Director.

Discussion followed concerning the funding request and the direction the Committee wished to take.

It was MOVED by Mr. Proto, to approve the funding be appropriated from the Contingency Fund. MOTION FAILED FOR LACK OF A SECOND.

It was MOVED by Mr. Penniman, seconded by Ms. Davis, to approve the suggestion by Ms. Smithers to handle this as a contract and budget adjustment and to submit the following resolution to the full Board for approval. Mr. Penniman requested this be reviewed in March. Ms. Robinson said she would like some clarification on who will be doing the review and how it will be done. It was suggested that this be discussed at a later date.

Mr. Joseph spoke about the concerns he has heard in the past about the conflicts between the staff and the Task Force and understands that it has reached the point where it has affected the way the organization functions. He said he would like to know the status of that situation. Ms. Weiser said the search committee for an Executive Director is composed of staff, Task Force members, and community members. She commented that communication is improving and that policies are also being revised. She said Task Force members are much more optimistic with working with the staff.

Ms. Robinson added that there has been development and training offered to Task Force members and they have been receptive to assistance offered. Also a report was completed and filed with Board members. Ms. Dill said everyone is committed to the issue of domestic violence and in spite of problems, services are very strong.

Mr. Joseph expressed his concern is real and wants to see some changes before further funding is provided. He understands reports will be given to the Health and Human Services Committee and asked that Board members stay on top of the issue.

A voice vote resulted as follows on the resolution as follows: Ayes - 5, Noes - 0. RESOLUTION CARRIED.

RESOLUTION NO. - AUTHORIZATION FOR BUDGET ADJUSTMENT - OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS WHEREAS, VAWA funds presently support the staff positions and related expenses of Domestic Violence Services Coordinator (1 FTE), Legal Advocate (1 FTE), and Domestic Violence Educator (.25 FTE) at the Task Force For Battered Women, all of which are vital to the agency’s Legal Advocacy Program which provides domestic violence victims accompaniment to court, helps them obtain family and criminal Orders of Protection, stays by their side through lengthy court trials, and is a source of information and support to non-offending family members and friends, and through which our courts have been better able to protect victims and punish offenders (it has served over 500 people in the three years since the program began), and

WHEREAS it is not known at this point when further VAWA funds might become available to the County, now therefore be it

RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Health and Human Services and Budget and Fiscal Policy Committees, That in anticipation of VAWA funds the County appropriate $20,000 for County Budget year 2001 with anticipated revenues to the County Administration budget to provide interim funding to assure continuity of staffing and services at the Task Force For Battered Women for the period January 1– March 31, 2001 (using current pro-rated agency budget amounts), or until such time the County can secure a grant under VAWA or the agency can identify replacement monies,

RESOLVED, further, That the Board of Directors of the Task Force for Battered Women shall provide a written report for each monthly meeting of the Health and Human Services Committee,

RESOLVED, further, That the Director of Finance is directed to make the following budget adjustment to his books for 2001:

Revenue: A3994.44389 Other Public Safety Aid $20,000

Appropriation: A3994.54442 Professional Services $20,000

SEQR ACTION: TYPE II-20

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Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 5:10 p.m.

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