Present:  M. Koplinka-Loehr, Chair; D. Kiefer; T. Todd; G. Totman (arrived at 11:35 a.m.); D. Booth  (arrived at 11:37 a.m.)

Staff:      S. Whicher, County Administrator; J. Wood, County Attorney; W. Skinner, Public Information Officer; V. Coggin, Assessment Director; J. Franklin, Assessment

Called to Order

 The meeting was called to order at 11:33 a.m.

Changes to Agenda

 A resolution to freeze Board Members' salaries was added to the agenda.

Follow-up Items for Future Meeting(s)
 The Committee agreed to include the following items on an agenda at a future meeting:

        - Review of Red Line Salaries of Certain County employee (to be completed this year)
        - Reports on Advisory Board research by program committees (to be completed this year)

Chair's Report

 Chair Koplinka-Loehr commented on a letter from the Environmental Management Council Coordinator to municipalities noting appointments due at the end of the year.  He feels it is a well written letter and recommends other advisory boards to consider a similar format.

 Mr. Totman arrived at this time.

Report from the County Administrator

 Mr. Whicher noted that capital projects were poorly documented this year, saying that was his Department's fault.  He updated the Committee on the process that will be implemented in the near future documenting capital projects.  He has formed a team consisting of Ed Marx, Planning Commissioner; Arel LeMaro, Facilities Manager; Cheryl Nelson, Public Works Administrator; and Norma Jayne of Administration who will be the support staff person.  He will monitor this group and the PARS forms being used for the process.  He feels the Capital Program Budget process will be much improved next year.

 Mr. Booth arrived at this time.

 Mr. Whicher noted that suggestions by Committee members on the PARS form should be directed to Norma Jayne.

 Mr. Booth asked if a policy could be considered to eliminate some of the smaller transfers coming to program committees.

Report from County Attorney

 Mr. Wood said he did not have a report, but would like to request an executive session later in the meeting concerning litigation.

Report from Finance Director

 Mr. Squires was not in attendance.

Report from the Public Information Officer

 Ms. Skinner said she continues to look for new ways to simplify and explain the budget process.  She is working on developing a narrative of the budget meetings (citizen friendly) to include with the proposed budget.  She does not feel that the County does an adequate job in explaining the budget.  The focus is on  the over-targets and not the 20 percent cuts departments submitted.  She would like to figure out how to explain what has already been cut to the public and asked Committee members to provide feedback.

 Mr. Booth spoke about the meeting with the Chamber this morning concerning the County's budget.  Mr. Whicher presented the mandated services and that out of the total in the local-share budget of $52 million, $12-13 million is mandated costs.  He feels the public does not realize the number of services the County is required to fund that are not listed as a mandate.  The jail is one example that costs a large amount of money and the County is required to fund but is not listed as a mandate.

 Ms. Kiefer spoke about the fiscal policy and said when it was developed it included several categories of different levels of mandates; she feels that approach should be restored.

Approval of Minutes

 It was MOVED by Mr. Totman, seconded by Mr. Todd, and unanimously adopted by voice vote, to approve the minutes of the September 10th meeting as corrected.

Assessment Department

 Appointing Temporary Members to the Board of Assessment Review
 Ms. Coggin distributed a memorandum concerning recommendations for temporary appointments to the Board of Assessment Review.  She commented that her Department is undertaking review of 18,000-20,000 parcels for the annual reassessment program.  It is important to preserve the integrity of the Real Property Tax Law as people trust the administering of that program.  She feels that as the Director she should not be choosing names for appointment to the Board of Assessment Review as it oversees the Department's operations.  She suggested the Clerk of the Board be directed to send canvassing letters to potential candidates to see if they are interested in serving.

 Ms. Coggin said she would provide background information of recommended individuals as requested by Committee members.

 Mr. Booth asked if it was appropriate to have a bank representative serve because it could be seen as a conflict of interest.  Ms. Coggin said it is very helpful because of knowledge of the loan process.  It was noted the individuals abstain from voting if necessary.

 Committee members were encouraged to submit names of possible candidates for the Board of Assessment Review.
 It was the consensus of the Committee to direct the Clerk of the Board to begin sending out canvassing letters as recommended above by the Director of Assessment.

 Setting Income Limits for the Senior and Disability Exemptions
 Mr. Franklin distributed copies of a memorandum outlining three scenarios.  The first scenario keeps the current income limits.  The second scenario takes the same dollar figure increase that the State enacted and applies it to the previous income limits allowed by Tompkins County.  The third scenario increases the income limits to the State maximum.

 The State Legislature has increased last year's income limit by $1,000 to the current limit allowed by law of $29,899.  Last year, the maximum income level allowed by law (and still receive five percent off of the taxable value) was $28,899.  However, for the last year, Tompkins County elected to enact an income ceiling limit of $28,400 0 or $500 less than the State maximum.

 Mr. Koplinka-Loehr requested information on the impact of the various scenarios.  Mr. Franklin agreed to provide this information.

 Ms. Kiefer said she recalls receiving information in the past on the history of exemptions changes year by year noting that we don't automatically increase this annually.  Mr. Franklin agreed to provide for the next meeting the history for the last 5 to 10 years of income limits as well as the impact of what would happen if the Committee approves the current maximum for the current year.

Policy 01-12 Grant Applications and Grant Acceptances

 Policy 01-12 was presented to the Committee for review and possible revision.  Mr. Koplinka-Loehr noted the current policy does not address outside agencies or advisory boards submitting grant applications and acceptances when requiring Board approval.  Ms. Kiefer feels that some of the concerns could be addressed by having program committees notified in a more timely manner.

 It was felt that there were not enough instances to justify revisions to the policy and the Committee agreed not to change it.

Charter and Code Articles

 Weights and Measures
 The Committee reviewed the Weights and Measures section of the Charter as recommended by the Charter Review Committee.  Following a brief discussion, it was the consensus of the Committee to approve the Article as presented.

 Department of Finance
 The Department of Finance Article as recommended by the Charter Review Committee was reviewed by the Committee.  Ms. Kiefer raised a concern that the section does not show a clear separation between the bill-paying function and the purchasing function.  Following a brief discussion, the following language was suggested to apply to this separation:  "In accordance with general accepted accounting principles of auditing practices"

 Ms. Kiefer said she would prefer her concern be addressed specifically and Mr. Koplinka-Loehr said his preference is to have broader language.  It was the consensus of the Committee to send the suggested language back to the Charter Review Committee.

 Definition of Quorum
 Mrs. Covert said she brought this to the Committee's attention as it has come up in past  discussions of advisory boards and she questioned if it applied to them.  There was a brief discussion that it may be difficult for some advisory boards to get quorum.  The Committee decided to postpone further discussion until the report on advisory boards is received.

Resolution - Freezing Board Members' Salaries

 It was MOVED by Mr. Booth, seconded by Ms. Kiefer, to submit the following resolution to the full Board for approval.  Mr. Todd said he would be voting against the resolution as there may be another version forthcoming and he would like an opportunity to view it before making a decision.  Mr. Totman said he would also be voting against the resolution as he feels there needs to be agreement for eliminating programs to bring the tax rate down.  He does not believe cutting programs costing only $2,000-3,000 will reduce the tax rate enough.

 Discussion followed concerning the legality of changing Board members' salaries during the term of office.  Mr. Wood stated he prepared a memorandum addressing this issue and said he would provide copies for distribution to Committee members.

It was MOVED by Ms. Kiefer, seconded by Mr. Booth, to amend the resolution to add the following paragraph:  Resolved, further, That during the 2003 deliberations on the 2004 budget, the Tompkins County Legislature will revisit Resolution No. 269 of 2000 to determine what, if any, additional changes in the salary schedule will be appropriate.

A voice vote resulted as follows on the amendment:  Ayes - 2 (Booth and Kiefer); Noes - 3 (Koplinka-Loehr, Todd, and Totman).  MOTION FAILED.

A voice vote resulted as follows on the resolution:  Ayes - 3 (Booth, Kiefer, and Koplinka-Loehr); Noes - 2 (Todd and Totman).  RESOLUTION CARRIED.

RESOLUTION NO. - FREEZING SALARIES OF THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR 2003

 WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 269 of 2000, the Board of Representatives established salaries for the members of the Board for each year from 2002 through 2005, and
 WHEREAS, due to unfunded mandates and other circumstances the County faces an extremely difficult budget situation in 2003, and
 WHEREAS, the members of the Board of Representatives believe that freezing their own salaries at the 2002 level for the 2003 year would benefit the taxpayers of the County, and
 WHEREAS, freezing Board Members salaries at the 2002 level for the 2003 year would save the County $7,750 in payroll spending in 2003 and reduce the budget by an overall amount of $9,842, now therefore be it
 RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Government Operations Committee, That Resolution No. 269 of 2000 is amended to change the annual salary for a member of the Tompkins County Board of Representatives for term commencing January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2003, with a corresponding change for the Board Chair.
SEQR ACTION:  TYPE II-20

Executive Session

 It was MOVED by Mr. Todd, seconded by Mr. Booth, and unanimously adopted by voice vote, to hold an executive session to discuss litigation.  An executive session was held at 12:50 p.m. and returned to open session at 1:14 p.m.

Adjournment

 On motion, the meeting adjourned at 1:14 p.m.