Budget and
Capital Committee
May 22, 2006
3 p.m.
Scott Heyman Conference Room
Present: R. Booth, P. Mackesey, M. Koplinka-Loehr, N. Shinagawa (3:15 p.m.), M. Sigler
Staff: S. Whicher, N. Jayne, J. Grogan, County Administration; E. Marx, Departments of Planning and Public Works; K. Fuller, Legislature Office, P. Carey, Department of Social Services
Mr. Koplinka-Loehr called the meeting to order at 3:05 p.m.
It was MOVED by Mr. Booth, seconded by Mr. Sigler, and unanimously adopted by voice vote of members present, to approve the minutes of May 8, 2006 as submitted. MINUTES APPROVED.
Mr. Koplinka-Loehr announced the Tompkins Cortland Community College budget presentation will be held at the college (lunch) on May 24th, a Community Diversity Roundtable will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn on June 1st and others are encouraged to attend. In addition, he announced the Tompkins County Library has provided information regarding a revised mission statement and will have their budget presentation on June 19th from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. in the Borg Warner conference room.
Mr. Squires was not in attendance.
Mr. Whicher announced he has had second interviews of candidates for the position of Public Information Officer and anticipates an announcement by May 31st.
Mr. Booth inquired if a decision has been made regarding the Deputy County Administrator position and was informed by Mr. Whicher that Ms. Paula Younger has been chosen to fill the position. In addition, Mr. Whicher anticipates more information regarding his department to be forthcoming in the near future.
Mr. Wood was not in attendance.
Mr. Whicher, County Administrator, reported that there are many levels to emergency preparedness. He explained that the Health Department is driven by State and Federal directives and grants to prepare for massive epidemics or other health-related concerns while the role of the Emergency Response Department has been to concentrate efforts on communications and coordination of emergency responders. He stated that at this time, there is no definitive plan in place for the internal operation of County offices and staff in the event of a county-wide emergency. This is a situation that needs to be better refined and is a topic which a subcommittee of Department Heads is presently working on.
Mr. Whicher stated, as this work is being undertaken, it is clear that more research and consideration will required and approached in a methodical and more formal manner. He said each level of planning appears to open up more questions to be answered. As an example he said in an emergency, a determination of what critical buildings or portion of a building should be kept open, how to provide needed power and maintain communication, what staff would be required to work and in what capacity, etc. are some of the questions to be addressed. Mr. Whicher said there is a need to have clearer coordination of staff in the event of an emergency and foresees the need to assign one individual to take the lead of coordination across departments.
Mr. Whicher was asked if the plan would require financial resources and responded that at the first subcommittee meeting a discussion took place of the possible need to provide alternate power; it was thought the purchase of one or two portable generators (in trailers) with a special transformer hookup at desired locations would provide adequate power to portions of buildings to be utilized in an emergency. In addition, it was thought that dual-shifts of employees could be necessary during an emergency situation. Members were provided with information regarding buildings presently having generator capability and what portions of buildings would most likely be utilized in an emergency.
Mr. Shinagawa arrived at this time.
The Committee was informed that work is being undertaken to provide streaming video broadcast capability and a possible direct hookup from Building “C” for communication with the Verizon switching service building, which is in close proximity to Building “C”. Mr. Whicher noted it appears to be a modest monthly cost. This step could be critical to provide information to the public in an emergency situation.
Mr. Koplinka-Loehr reported that the State is providing an opportunity for individual counties to opt in to a fixed price per gallon for local sales tax on fuel. Mr. Whicher noted that at the Intermunicipal Group meeting last Friday no interest was expressed in doing so. In addition, if the County were to decide to cap the sales tax it would require the City of Ithaca and other municipalities to opt in as well. It was noted that if the County did so, the reduced revenue may require an offset in the property tax levy. Members of the Committee expressed concern with compliance of the tax cap by service station owners, noting it would be difficult to determine if in fact the cap regulation was being adhered to. Ms. Jayne will seek information to attempt to determine what the financial implications would be. Information regarding this option will be provided to all Legislators for their consideration before the June deadline.
Rollover Report
The
Committee reviewed historical information regarding departmental rollover
requests (sorted by program committees).
It was noted that the present timeframe would require departments to
submit rollover requests in time for program committee action in June, with
Legislative approval on July 5th. Mr. Whicher indicated that some departments have indicated a
desire to know what the 2007 target recommendations are in order to determine
rollover use. He noted it is an
unusual year with regard to budget planning due to the potential impact that
Social Services and Medicaid figures, 2005 baseline, could have. Following discussion, the Committee
determined to allow departments to make a determination of submitting rollover
in June or to wait until after the target recommendations are known (late
June). The Committee would then
take action on the delayed rollover requests at their August 7th
meeting with approval of the full Legislature on August 15th. Ms. Jayne will be providing amended
tables for Maintenance of Effort and Target Changes as well as an amended
Budget Calendar.
Update - 20-Year Capital
Plan
Mr. Marx distributed a table to be called “Table 9B” showing what the impact would be by delaying the Public Health Department building until 2010 (instead of 2008) as requested at the previous meeting. Members were informed that the significant difference in delaying work on the Health Department would be seen in the projected debt service. The overall impact could still be a one percent increase in the tax levy per year. If the project at the Health Department is delayed it would require approximately $350,000 of maintenance funds to be used at Biggs “B”. If work at the Health Department were delayed to year 2013 or beyond the cost would be an additional $7 million. Members were informed that the tables used 2006 dollars at a $35 million base. Mr. Whicher indicated his belief that there will be a need for expansion space for the Office for the Aging in the near future. Mr. Marx indicated there is the assumption of leased space for the Office for the Aging in the future in the capital plan at present. The capital plan will be presented to the Legislature at the first meeting in June, with a vote taking place the second meeting in June.
The Committee reviewed the submitted amendments to the policy making no substantive changes. Additional subsections will be presented at future meetings.
The Committee reviewed historical material provided for over target requests that provided maintenance of effort and target changes as well as the fiscal target report for the years 2002 – 2006. Mr. Whicher and Ms. Jayne provided information regarding previous budget years that would assist in an understanding of the target recommendations that previously occurred and the percentage of over target requests that were approved. At this time there is an approximate gap of $1 million to meet the 0% tax rate change goal. It was noted that if the estimated figures for Social Services/Medicaid come in as anticipated by Mr. Herden (Social Services), the gap would significantly be reduced, making the budget target easier to meet. In addition, it was noted that the 2007 proposed column fiscal target salary figures are based on 2006, and that debt service is now being included within the target budget. Members briefly discussed various ways to set the budget and were asked to review the information and plan on a further discussion at the next meeting.
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