Budget and Capital Committee
July 10, 2006
3 p.m.
Scott Heyman Conference Room
Present:
M. Koplinka-Loehr, M. Sigler, N.
Shinagawa, M. Mackesey
Excused: R.
Booth
Staff: S. Whicher, N.Jayne, S. Martel-Moore, M. Lynch, County Administration; D. Squires, Finance
Mr.
Koplinka-Loehr called the meeting to order at 3:05 p.m.
The
resolution entitled Appropriation from Contingent Fund – Keyboard Specialist –
Health Department, was withdrawn from the agenda.
Ms. Mackesey expressed concern for Legislators who are non-committee members having a lack of information about a particular issue that will be presented for a vote. She said it concerns her that if a Legislator does not understand something there is the chance they will not support it and does not feel it is in anyone’s best interest to allow that to happen. She asked about evaluation of the budget process. Mr. Koplinka-Loehr said every year Legislators and department heads have been surveyed as part of an effort to evaluate the process. If there are certain things Legislators or anyone has questions about, he encouraged them to ask questions as they arise.
Approval of Minutes
It was MOVED by Mr. Shinagawa, seconded by Ms. Mackesey, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to approve the minutes of June 26, 2006 as corrected. MINUTES APPROVED.
Chair’s Report
Mr. Koplinka-Loehr announced he will not be in attendance at the next Legislature meeting; therefore, will need Ms. Mackesey, Vice Chair, to provide the Legislature with a Committee report. He welcomed Marcia Lynch, Public Information Coordinator.
Finance Director’s Report
Mr. Squires reported the audit report is almost ready to be distributed. As part of the process he needs to write an outline of where he believes the County is and what the expectations are into the future. He feels this would be the best time to convene the Audit Subcommittee.
Mr. Squires also reported he is the President-elect of the NYS County Finance Officer's Association and has been appointed by the Governor to serve on a committee that will redesign the financial reporting system that is intended to include more specific sub-reporting. They will also be trying to make information accessible online.
He displayed and explained the "Official Financial Statement" which has to be done every time the County authorizes more than $1 million in financing. He also reported on borrowing rates and said at the present time the rate for short-term borrowing is 3.9%; the rate for long-term borrowing is 5.17%.
County Administrator's
Report
Mr. Whicher reported on the budget process and said a budget will be developed based on the direction given to County Administration at the last Legislature meeting. He noted that although he will provide the Legislature with a budget as it has requested, the charge given to him comes into direct conflict with his role in working with departments to protect programs and services. A meeting will be scheduled soon with Management and Confidential representatives to discuss 2007 salary increases.
Mr. Whicher updated the Committee on the status of personnel transitions taking place in County Administration and said things are going extremely well. He introduced Marcia Lynch who began employment today as the Public Information Coordinator. Ms. Lynch briefly described her work experience and said working for Tompkins County feels like coming home as she worked for County government in the past. She said she is happy to be here and wants to forge a strong working relationship with Legislators and department heads. She will be scheduling a meeting with Legislators to talk about public information needs and will also be soliciting and encouraging public input.
Mr. Whicher announced a budget training session will be held with department budget preparers tomorrow morning.
He also reported on local timing to implement the State authorized additional $2/$1,000 Transfer Tax and stated Jonathon Wood, County Attorney, is drafting language for a local law.
RESOLUTION NO. – APPROPRIATION FROM CONTINGENT FUND – TERMINAL PAY – HEALTH DEPARTMENT
It was MOVED by Mr. Shinagawa, seconded by Mr. Sigler, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to approve the following resolution and submit to the full Legislature:
WHEREAS,
the Health Department had a Public Health Sanitarian retire effective May 19,
2006, 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 Health and Human Services 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 $
7,905
A4090.58800 Fringes $
2,218
SEQR ACTION: TYPE II-20
* * * * * * * * * *
RESOLUTION NO. – APPROPRIATION FROM CONTINGENT FUND FOR
TERMINAL PAY – DISTRICT
ATTORNEY
It was MOVED by Ms. Mackesey, 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 District Attorney had two employees terminate employment: one Assistant
District Attorney, effective June 15, 2006, and one Secretary, effective March
3, 2006, and
WHEREAS,
the Fiscal Policy of Tompkins County allows for terminal pay replacement from
the Contingent Fund, now therefore be it
RESOLVED,
on recommendation of the Public Safety and the Budget and Capital Committees,
That the Director of Finance is hereby authorized and directed to make the
following budget appropriations:
FROM: A1990.54440 Contingent
Fund $4,149.29
TO: 1165.51000228 Salary,
Assistant District Attorney $2,139.77
1165.51000330 Salary,
Secretary $ 845.33
1165.58800 Fringes $1,164.19
TOTAL $8,298.58
SEQR
ACTION: TYPE II-200
* * * * * * * * * *
RESOLUTION NO. – APPROPRIATION FROM CONTINGENT FUND – CORRECTIONS CONTRACT SETTLEMENT
It was MOVED by Ms. Mackesey, 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, Resolution No. 89 of 2006 authorized ratification of a three-year agreement with Correction Officers Local 2062 , and
WHEREAS,
the 2006 Budget did not allocate funds within the Jail Budget for salary
adjustments, 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 $200,855
TO: A3150.51000406 Correctional
Officer $124,200
A3150.51000411
Corrections Sgt $ 14,400
A3150.51000421 Head
Cook $ 3,600
A3150.51000403 Cook $ 2,300
A3150.58800 Fringes $ 56,355
SEQR ACTION:
TYPE II-20
* * * * * * * * * * *
Setting a Public Hearing - Transfer Tax
Mr. Koplinka-Loehr said there may be a special Budget and Capital Committee meeting called next week for the purpose of adopting a resolution calling for a public hearing on the Transfer Tax. Members should pay attention to their Legislature packets for the inclusion of a meeting notice.
Budget Calendar
The Committee discussed the draft Expanded Budget Committee calendar; a second draft based on comments received will be produced and circulated to the Legislature.
PAR Forms
Ms. Jayne distributed a sample PAR (Project Approval Request) Form for the purpose of providing an explanation of the form contents to new Legislators. The Committee will receive several of these forms that have been submitted by departments at the next meeting.
Adjournment
The
meeting adjourned at 4:06 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Michelle Pottorff, TC
Legislature Office