Called to Order

 Mr. Koplinka-Loehr called the meeting to order at 5:18 p.m.

Highway Division

 Position Request
 It was MOVED by Mr. Penniman, seconded by Mr. Todd, and unanimously adopted by voice vote, to approve the request to fill the vacancy of Painter Mechanic at the Highway Division as submitted.  Mr. Booth commented that the Facilities and Infrastructure Committee discussed this and said it is an important position for seasonal transition.  He said there was also discussion about a possible job title change in the future.

Resolution - PUSHBACK

 It was MOVED by Mr. Booth, seconded by Mrs. McBean-Clairborne, and unanimously adopted by voice vote, to approve and submit the following resolution to the full Legislature for approval:

RESOLUTION NO. 188 - IN SUPPORT OF PUSHING BACK THE EXPENSES OF STATE MANDATED PROGRAMS TO THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR  CREATING AND CONTROLLING THEM AND CALLING UPON THE STATE TO IMPLEMENT A CAP ON THE LOCAL SHARE OF MEDICAID, AND TO FULLY FUND THE COST OF ALL NEW MANDATES ON OCAL GOVERNMENTS PRIOR TO THIS YEAR’S ELECTION

WHEREAS, State mandated programs and expenses constitute a large and growing portion of county budgets, and
WHEREAS, Medicaid is the largest and fastest growing mandate, and
WHEREAS, the growing expense of mandates has forced counties to drastically under-fund crucial local services such as road maintenance, public safety, and youth services, and
WHEREAS, in spite of such cut backs, counties have still been forced to impose unacceptable tax increases on their citizens, and
WHEREAS, property taxes are a regressive form of taxation that often bears little relationship to ability to pay, and
WHEREAS, property tax levels have risen to unsustainable levels that are harming businesses and forcing people out of their homes, and
WHEREAS, the phased takeover of Family Health Plus that was included in this year’s State budget is a positive first step toward mandate relief, and
WHEREAS, the annual growth in local Medicaid expenses still exceeds the relief provided by this takeover, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Budget and Capital Committee, That Tompkins County is determined to Push Back the expenses of State mandated programs to those responsible for creating and controlling them,
RESOLVED, further, That Tompkins County calls upon its representatives in the State Legislature and upon Senator Bruno, Assemblyman Silver, and Governor Pataki to implement a cap on the local share of Medicaid, and to fully fund the cost of all new mandates on local governments,
RESOLVED, further, That Tompkins County requests that our State Legislative representatives make a clear commitment to the citizens and voters of this County, prior to this year’s election, that they will support mandate relief and a cap on local Medicaid costs.
SEQR ACTION:  TYPE II-20

Adjournment

 The meeting adjourned at 5:21 p.m.