Called to Order

 Mr. Koplinka-Loehr, Chair, called the meeting to order at 5:08 p.m.

RESOLUTION NO.        –  APPROPRIATION OF UNSPENT GENERAL FUNDS FROM 2004 TO PURCHASE COMPUTER EQUIPMENT FOR ASSIGNED  COUNSEL
 
 It was MOVED by Ms. Roberson, seconded by Mr. Todd, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to approve the following resolution and submit to the full Legislature:

 WHEREAS, the Assigned Counsel has been certified by the Director of Finance to have unspent appropriations and excess revenues from 2003 resulting in a surplus of $4,455, and
 WHEREAS, Assigned Counsel has computer equipment in excess of six years old and is experiencing serious computer errors putting a strain on their daily operation, and
 WHEREAS, the Information Technology Services Department has reviewed Assigned Counsel’s computer equipment and made a recommendation to replace the computer equipment costing $4,000, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Public Safety and Budget and Capital Committees, That the Director of Finance is authorized to make the following adjustment to the 2005 budget:

FROM:  A599  Assigned Counsel Rollover Balance   $ 4,000
TO:        1170.52203  Computer Equipment   $ 4,000
 
           RESOLVED, further, That this is a onetime expense and there is no need for a target adjustment.
SEQR ACTION:  TYPE II - 20

RESOLUTION NO.       - APPROPRIATION FROM CONTINGENT FUND - REPLACEMENT PAY – DEPARTMENT OF PROBATION AND COMMUNITY JUSTICE

 It was MOVED by Ms. Roberson, seconded by Mr. Todd, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to approve the following resolution and submit to the full Legislature:

 WHEREAS, the Department of Probation and Community Justice had an employee out on maternity leave for greater than two months in the Core Probation Services Program, and
 WHEREAS, the Fiscal Policy of Tompkins County allows for replacement pay from the Contingent Fund, now therefore be it
 RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Public Safety and Budget and Capital Committees, That the Director of Finance is hereby authorized to make the following adjustment to his books for 2005:

 FROM: A1990.54440 Contingent Fund $11,406
 TO: A3142.51000585   Probation Officer $8,206
  A3142.58800 Fringes   $3,200
SEQR ACTION:  TYPE II-20

Addition to the Agenda

 It was MOVED by Ms. Robertson, seconded by Mr. Booth, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to add to the agenda the resolution entitled "Chargeback of Election Expenses - Board of Elections".

 Mrs. McBean-Clairborne arrived at 5:10 p.m.

RESOLUTION NO.        - CHARGE BACK OF ELECTION EXPENSES - BOARD OF ELECTIONS
 
 It was MOVED by Ms. Robertson, seconded by Mr. Booth.  Mr. Squires explained how the chargeback of elections expenses to the towns works.  He then said reports are generated at the end of every year that show the expenses that are charged back to the towns.  The County does not send a bill to the towns because those expenses are added onto the tax rate.     Mr. Booth said it was his understanding that the County was going to take over paying for these expenses.   At the Legislature meeting which followed this meeting, the following explanation was added:  "The intention of this resolution is twofold - first that in 2006 individual towns and the City of Ithaca will not pay more for all election expenses (including but not limited to cost for election inspectors and maintenance) than they did in 2004; and second, that over five years beginning in 2007 the County will eventually assume responsibility for paying all election expenses".

 A voice vote resulted as follows:  Ayes - 5, Noes - 0.  MOTION CARRIED.

WHEREAS, New York State has adopted legislation revising the Election law to provide that counties will assume all responsibility from towns and cities for administering elections commencing after November 15, 2005, and that Counties have the authority to charge these costs back to towns and cities, and
WHEREAS, at present, election expenses attributable to Towns and the City of Ithaca are charged back by Tompkins County to those municipalities, and
WHEREAS, for 2005, the County will continue to charge back expenses as in prior years, and
WHEREAS, it is anticipated that election expenses will increase substantially commencing in 2006, and
WHEREAS, it is appropriate that if Tompkins County has the responsibility for administering elections, including such things as setting the rates of pay for election workers, it also have the responsibility of paying for those costs, and
WHEREAS, the Towns, City, and the County need to be able to plan in their budgets for the election expenses they will need to pay in 2006 and beyond, and
WHEREAS, it would be financially difficult for Tompkins County to assume all of the current election expenses in one budget year, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Government Operations and the Budget and Capital Committees, That in 2006, Tompkins County will charge back to the Towns and City an amount not exceeding that charged back in 2004, the last full year containing Presidential primary elections,
RESOLVED, further, That the cost of election workers shall be charged back at the same rate paid by the Towns and City in 2004,
RESOLVED, further, That commencing in 2007, the amount charged back to the Towns and City in 2006, will be reduced by 20 percent of the 2004 amount per year until the County assumes full payment of the expenses.
SEQR ACTION:  TYPE II-20
____________________

Adjournment

 The meeting adjourned at 5:20 p.m.
 
 
 
 
 

Respectfully submitted by Michelle Pottorff, Legislature Office