Budget and Capital Committee
April 27, 2004
11:30 a.m.
Scott Heyman Conference Room
Present:  M. Koplinka-Loehr, Chair; P. Penniman; D. Booth

Excused: T. Todd; L. McBean-Clairborne

Staff:       D. Squires, Finance Director; S. Whicher, County Administrator; J. Wood, County Attorney; W. Skinner, Public Information; E. Marx, Deputy County Administrator; A. Fitzpatrick, Personnel Commissioner

Guests:   Legislators Robertson, Kiefer, Schuler, and Chair Joseph

Called to Order

    The meeting was called to order at 12:33 p.m.

Changes to Agenda

    The following item was added to the agenda: 

        - Request to fill vacancy - Health Department

Approval of Minutes

    It was MOVED by Mr. Booth, seconded by Mr. Penniman, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to approve the minutes of April 13, 2004, as corrected.

Comments from the Public

    There were no comments from the public.

Report from the Chair of the Committee

    Mr. Koplinka-Loehr said he did not have a report.

Report from the Finance Director

    Mr. Squires announced that last Friday the Annual Report was filed with the State.  The document will be published into a smaller report and made available.  He reported on adjustments made by the auditors.  One adjustment was an increase in the general fund balance of $400,000 as a result of a Medicaid journal entry posted in late March and the auditors requested it be accrued back into 2003.  Another adjustment was in the highway fund balance in the amount of $40,000 as a result of 2003 bills that were paid in 2004. 

Report from the County Administrator

    Homestead Option
    Mr. Whicher presented information concerning a Homestead tax option and briefly explained it.  The option is complicated and restrictive and after further review he does not recommend pursuing it.  The option would require freezing relationships between residential and commercial properties as of the current roll and the County could not switch to a homestead option until the revaluation is complete. 

Sheriff's Department

    Resolution
    It was MOVED by Mr. Penniman, seconded by Mr. Booth, to approve and submit the following resolution to the full Legislature for approval.  A brief discussion followed concerning the request made at the last meeting for more information.  The information concerning what other counties are charging was not presented however, the Committee agreed to approve the resolution pending receipt of said information.  Ms. Robertson also asked for information referenced in the second whereas outlining what the costs are for services.

    A voice vote resulted as follows pending receipt of the information requested above:  Ayes - 3, Noes - 0, Excused - 2 (McBean-Clairborne and Todd).  RESOLUTION ADOPTED.

RESOLUTION NO. _______TO INCREASE THE FEES FOR TOMPKINS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE IDENTIFICATION AND FINGERPRINT CARDS

    WHEREAS, it is important to charge a reasonable fee that reflects the time needed to process identification and fingerprint cards, and
    WHEREAS, the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office wants to accurately reflect the cost associated with these services, now therefore be it
    RESOLVED, on recommendations of the Public Safety Committee, the Sheriff of Tompkins County can increase the amount charged for the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Identification card from a $12.00 fee to a $15.00 fee and fingerprinting non-criminal civilians from a $7.00 fee to a $10.00 fee.
SEQR ACTION:  TYPE II 20
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Health Department

    Position Request
    The Committee reviewed the request to fill a vacancy of Community Health Nurse at the Health Department.  Mr. Whicher agreed with this request and said the Department has provided him with some information identifying the cause of the deficit in 2003.  A final report is due in May, but feels the vacancy should be filled.  The Health and Human Services Committee will be reviewing this request at its meeting tomorrow. 

Mr. Penniman asked about the statement made that nurses are leaving for better paying jobs.  It was felt that there are other reasons for the turnover in staff as well.  Ms. Robertson said she will ask Alice Cole what other positions are in competition with the Department's staff, but said in general there is a tremendous demand for nurses.  She noted it was reported at her last meeting that with fewer staff, less revenue is coming in and that the deficit could be related.  

It was the consensus of the Committee to approve the request to fill the vacancy of Community Health Nurse at the Health Department.

Budget Process

    Budget Calendar
    Mr. Koplinka-Loehr said he will be including the budget calendar in future agenda packets to keep Committee members informed.  He said if the financial goals resolution is changed following the discussions at the retreat he may request it be presented at the May 4th Legislature meeting as opposed to May 18th.  

    Fringe Rate Report
    Mr. Whicher reviewed the fringe rate report distributed and estimates the rate increasing to 41.4 percent for 2005.  The largest increase is the prescription drug program which is a 12 percent increase.  He said there are two aspects to the prescription drug program: one is the actual costs of the drugs and how it is structured; and two is the plan itself.  The co-pay amount is a negotiable item with the union; however, the provider can be changed.  He said the County's current provider has been notified that there is interest in looking at other options available and explained the process. 

    Further discussion followed, and the Committee agreed to discuss how to proceed with the fringe rate increase in 2005 at the next meeting.

    A brief discussion followed concerning the charts distributed for the retreat.  Mr. Penniman recommended a different way of showing the tax rate increase and the impact of the budget on the average taxpayer.  He suggested a per capita levy increase as one idea.  Mr. Joseph agreed with adding other information but said he did not want any deleted. 

    Direction to Committee Chairs
    Mr. Koplinka-Loehr said he has postponed the meeting with committee chairs until after the retreat.  During the months of May, June, and July, committees have the opportunity to discuss budget policy issues and concerns as the directive from the retreat is conveyed.

    Budget Retreat
    Mr. Koplinka-Loehr said he anticipates 13 Legislators to be present at the retreat.  Mr. Koplinka-Loehr noted that revised and updated information will be available at the retreat and explained the process the Legislature will undertake. 

    Mr. Booth said some departments and divisions have prepared additional information concerning mandated services related to their responsibilities and that the Facilities and Infrastructure Committee will be reviewing this afternoon.  Mr. Koplinka-Loehr recommended this information be shared at the retreat. 

    Revised Draft Financial Goals
    Mr. Koplinka-Loehr spoke briefly about the proposed resolution concerning 2005-2006 financial goals and asked the Committee how it wished to proceed.  He feels that following the retreat, the resolution should be presented for consideration at the May 4th meeting instead of the May 18th.  Mr. Penniman suggested and the Committee agreed with having a brief Committee meeting prior to the May 4th meeting to act on the resolution prior to consideration by the Legislature.

Personnel Department

    Revised Reclassification Policy
    Ms. Fitzpatrick asked that this item be postponed to the next meeting.

Affirmative Action
Ms. Fitzpatrick distributed a quarterly report of County employees for information only.  In response to a question raised about county demographics, Ms. Fitzpatrick said that information was not available to distribute at this time.  

Mandate Classification

    Master List
    At this time, the Committee discussed the information distributed concerning mandate payments, mandates responsibilities, and locally controlled spending.  Ms. Robertson requested and the Committee agreed to move Mental Health Department programs 4310, 4311, and 4327 from the list of mandates and locally controlled spending to mandates responsibilities.  She also noted that Tompkins Community Action should be listed under the Consumer and Community Affairs Committee instead of the Health and Human Services Committee. 

Revenue Options

    Possible Revenue Streams
    Mr. Wood reported on his research into other revenue streams and said he contacted other county attorneys about potential revenue streams.  A list was prepared for review that resulted in no additional revenue sources being introduced. The Finance Director did the same investigation and had the same results. 

    Tompkins County Quality of Life Fund
    Mr. Wood updated the Committee on the request to include the Quality of Life Fund as an option on the tax bill (or any check off system).  There was a similar issue with the Solid Waste Fee several years ago and the biggest problem is tax bills are collected by the town and cannot require them to collect anything other than the warrant.  A law was drafted and approved to request the State to allow the County to put the solid waste fee on the tax bill.  The current software used by the tax collectors does not provide a mechanism for this fund.  The Committee was reminded that when the tax is collected the money is first used to cover the towns budget and the remaining balance is returned to the County.

    Mr. Joseph questioned if the town clerks would object to collecting a voluntary contribution; however he understands the bookkeeping is an issue. 

    Mr. Koplinka-Loehr said he began a mechanism through the Community Foundation of Tompkins County for people to give essentially to Tompkins County's special projects through this fund.  The process is not finalized yet, but it will allow departments to apply to that fund for grants.  The idea is not to have it replace County tax dollars only supplement the department. 

    Ms. Kiefer expressed her concern with the concept of people giving to special projects, but would support donations to the general fund.  Mr. Koplinka-Loehr said he understands Ms. Kiefer's concern but said the model being used is similar to the school district's Ithaca Public Education Fund.  Mr. Booth spoke of his support for the fund.  Mr. Koplinka-Loehr reminded the Committee that the details of how the funds will be accessed still need to be worked out. 

Adjournment

    The meeting adjourned at 1:36 p.m.

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