MINUTES
GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
FEBRUARY 16, 2005 2:30 P.M.
SCOTT HEYMAN CONFERENCE ROOM
Present: M. Lane, Chair; K. Herrera; D. Kiefer; D. Booth (arrived 2:43 p.m.)
Excused: G. Totman
Staff: S. Whicher, County Administrator; J.
Wood, County Attorney; D. Squires, Finance Director; W.
Skinner, Public Information; V. Coggin, Assessment Director; E. Marx, Finance
Director; P. Maguire, Motor Vehicle; C. Covert, Legislative Clerk
Guests: Media; Ed Diller and Karen Becker, Interested Citizens
Called to Order
The meeting was called to order at 2:35 p.m.
Changes to Agenda
Mr. Lane requested a discussion and proposal to change
the assessment revaluation from an annual review to every three years be
added to the agenda.
County Attorney
Executive Session
It was MOVED by Ms. Herrera, seconded by Ms. Kiefer, and
unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to hold an executive
session to discuss real estate negotiations. An executive session was
held at 2:37 p.m. and returned to open session at 2:56 p.m.
Mr. Booth arrived at 2:43 p.m.
Chair's Report
Mr. Lane said he continues to work on the report concerning the County Executive.
Report from the County Administrator
Mr. Whicher did not have a report.
Report from the County Attorney
Mr. Wood said he did not have a report.
Report from the Finance Director
Mr. Squires reported that there currently are eleven properties
in foreclosure and said tours of the properties were conducted on Friday.
Of the eleven properties, six are residential with three of them being unoccupied.
He briefly described the residential properties and the status of them.
In response to Ms. Kiefer's question, Mr. Squires said he does not feel he
will pursue a joint auction with Tioga County as there currently is enough
property to generate sales and attract people.
Report from the Public Information Officer
Ms. Skinner spoke about the restructuring process in County
Administration. She said the process was offered to the entire staff
and a team process was encouraged. It was open and challenging and
she said she was grateful to Mr. Whicher for involving the staff and listening
to them.
Ms. Kiefer asked Mr. Whicher if he had contacted NYSAC
concerning a charge to counties for litigation when appraisers are hired
at the State level. Mr. Whicher indicated he had not but would inquire.
Tompkins County Public Library
Ms. Steiner spoke about an article in the Cornell Daily
Sun concerning confidential information of patrons being released by a library;
however, it was not the Tompkins County Public Library as the article implied.
She has made attempts to have a correction printed.
Customer Services Survey
Ms. Steiner briefly reviewed the results of the customer
survey conducted in November and said she is very proud of the comments.
Prior to the survey, there was a six-month retraining of staff and based
on the survey comments, she feels the training was very successful.
Some of the negative comments made are due to lack of resources such as having
a full-time librarian on duty in the Children's area.
Mr. Booth asked about the policy for cell phones and said
he continues to receive complaints. Ms. Steiner noted the library is
not a completely silent facility and cell phones at this time are allowed.
When conversations appear to be getting loud, staff reminds the patrons to
keep it down or they are told to go outside to continue their conversation.
She highlighted one reason for not banning cell phones as there are a number
of children who need to be in touch with their parents. This issue
continues to be looked at and is being handled through a policy of behavior
enforcement.
Mr. Booth requested a copy of the cell phone policy; Ms. Steiner agreed to provide it.
School District Ballot
Ms. Steiner explained for the last three years the Library
with County Legislators and the Friends of the Library have been looking
at a way to take the Library's budget to some form of a public referendum.
There are a number of models in New York State that were looked at.
Currently in New York State there are 700 public libraries, 300 of them have
some form of a public vote on their budget. Out of those 300, in 2004
only 15 budgets failed.
The model being recommended by the Board of Trustees is
the School District Ballot. On February 22, the Trustees will decide
which school districts it will be using and how much money to ask for.
The names of the school districts and the amount of money cannot be discussed
at this time as discussions with the leadership of potential entities are
pending. There would not be an annual vote, only one when the dollar
amount is asked to change. Ms. Steiner said the Trustees are also asking
the Legislature to approve a resolution acknowledging its responsibility
to continue providing operating and facility funds for what it understands
to be basic Library services. The Committee agreed to consider a resolution
at its next meeting and it was also felt that the Budget and Capital Committee
should be informed and consider the same resolution. Ms. Steiner also agreed
to work with Ms. Skinner to get information out to the press and public following
the Trustees meeting next week.
Assessment Department
Historic Barn Exemption
Ms. Coggin briefly reviewed the requirements with the
Historic Barns exemption and said the eligibility requirements include the
barn being at least partially constructed prior to 1936 and having been originally
designed and used for storing farm equipment, agricultural products, or housing
livestock. Under this exemption, the increase in assessment as a result
of a barn being rebuilt would be exempt 100 percent for the first year and
thereafter reduced by ten percent increments for a ten-year period.
Following a brief discussion, it was the consensus of
the Committee to request the County Attorney draft a local law for the Committee
to consider and discuss further at its next regular meeting.
Living Quarters for Disabled People
Ms. Coggin briefly explained the Improvements to Property
pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 exemption.
This exemption allows improvements to be exempt beginning with 50 percent
the first year and reduced by five percent increments for up to ten years
from ad valorem levies as well as from general municipal and school taxes,
but the improvements are liable for special assessments such as fire districts.
At this time, Mr. Lane asked two members of the public
present for this topic if they wished to speak and to introduce themselves.
Mr. Ed Diller introduced his wife, Karen Becker, and spoke about their personal
situation. Their daughter who is 26 years old was born with spinabifida,
and to keep her home one year ago an addition was put on their home to accommodate
her needs. As a result of the renovations, their assessment increased
and therefore they inquired about receiving an exemption for the improvements
made.
Further discussion followed and questions raised as to
whether the individual must reside at the location in order for a homeowner
to qualify for the exemption. Ms. Coggin said there are questions that
would need to be addressed if this exemption were adopted as well as reviewing
other laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
It was the consensus of the Committee to request the County
Attorney draft a local law for the Committee to consider at their next meeting.
Appointment of Temporary Member to Board of Assessment Review
It was MOVED by Mr. Booth, seconded by Ms. Kiefer, and
unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to approve the nomination
of Mike Canon as a temporary member of the Board of Assessment Review.
Un-reimbursed Medical Expenses - Senior Exemption - Local Option Calculation
Ms. Coggin briefly reviewed the memorandum distributed
to the Committee. The County as well as municipalities may adopt this
provision and have the option to permit applicants to subtract from their
incomes all medical and prescription drug expenses that are not reimbursed
or paid by insurance including veterans' disability payments. Information
is not readily available for un-reimbursed medical expenses or on how many
taxing jurisdictions are participating in this local option provision of
the senior exemption. Currently the County has 3,151 Senior Exemptions
(including Enhanced STAR) granted to various levels of qualification in each
municipality and school districts.
Ms. Herrera expressed interest in pursuing this option
as the presentation at the Legislature's meeting last evening concerning
survey results on senior needs highlighted concerns in this area. She
feels this could relieve the burden on some seniors and help them to remain
in their home. Ms. Kiefer said she was interested in knowing the impact
on Department staff since not all applicants will have federal tax forms
that summarize these expenses. Ms. Coggin could not answer that question
and noted that any action on exemptions this year would likely take effect
next year. She said she would be willing to talk to Ms. Stein about
this issue and have her screen seniors to see how many are reporting this
information and provide the Committee with any information she receives.
The Committee expressed interest in getting more information
if possible and requested the County Attorney draft a local law for the Committee
to consider at its next meeting.
Assessment Revaluation
Mr. Lane commented that some notices have been mailed
out to residents notifying them of their assessment values. He raised
this issue last year and presented a proposal to change annual revaluations
to a three-year revaluation process to help ease the burden for taxpayers.
The proposal did not have majority support at that time; however, some Legislators
have asked that the issue be revisited. He does believe that annual
reassessments maintains the lists and values up to date better, but feels
that with spiking real property values over the last three years this process
needs to be slowed down. He understands there are questions such as
the impact of State reimbursement that need to be addressed. Mr. Lane
said he may bring this issue forward again to the Legislature.
Ms. Kiefer and Ms. Herrera spoke in opposition of the
proposal and said they would not support it. They feel the current
system is the fairest and most equitable. Ms. Coggin spoke about this
issue and feels it is unfortunate that it is being raised again and that
the proposal would cause a great inequity. She said 9,000 notices have
been sent out and out of that 9,000, 480 informal hearing requests were made
and 85 percent of those people indicated they did not have a problem with
the value of their home, but do have a problem with the taxes. With
the current system, people are being taxed based on market value.
At this time, Ms. Coggin distributed information to the
Committee concerning assessment values versus the sales of homes that have
occurred in previous years.
Mr. Booth asked if information concerning the veteran's
exemption could be provided at the next meeting. Ms. Coggin noted that
letters are going out to the municipalities that have not adopted the option.
Appointments
Library Board of Trustees
It was MOVED by Ms. Kiefer, seconded by Ms. Herrera, and
unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to approve and submit
the following appointments to the full Legislature for approval:
Leonardo Vargas-Mendez - term expires December 31, 2005
Nathan Fawcett - term expires December 31, 2007
Gary Ferguson - term expires December 31, 2007
County Clerk
Position Request
It was MOVED by Ms. Kiefer, seconded by Mr. Booth, to
approve and submit the request to fill the position of Motor Vehicle Examiner
as presented. Discussion followed and Ms. Maguire explained the current
employment situation at the Department of Motor Vehicles. One employee
moved and another is on a leave of absence. Mr. Whicher commented that
this is a revenue-generating Department and needs to be fully staffed to
run as efficiently as possible.
Ms. Herrera commented on discussions being held at administrative
levels about looking at job position requests for diversity and affirmative
action. She understands there is no formative direction right now in
place but feels this is something the County needs to pay attention to.
She asked what searches and recruitment efforts have been made to fill this
position. Mr. Whicher said all vacant positions are being screened
and active lists if they exist are being reviewed. He noted there is
an active list with eleven names for this particular position.
A voice vote resulted as follows: Ayes - 3 (Lane,
Booth, and Kiefer); Noes - 1 (Herrera); Excused - 1 (Totman). MOTION
CARRIED.
Next Meeting
As there was not time to finish the agenda, the Committee agreed to meet February 28th at 3:30 p.m.
Administration
Reorganization
Mr. Whicher briefly explained the process and said he
spent approximately one month reviewing Department goals, objectives, and
priorities with staff. There was also discussion about the impacts
of having a Deputy County Administrator or not and the conclusion is the
Department feels it needs a fulltime Deputy and would also like to continue
moving forward with a Planning/Public Works Commissioner. Mr. Whicher
does not feel he can continue doing the County Administrator's job in the
time available without the assistance of a Deputy. The County Administrator
needs to be able to handle the unknowns and unexpected. He anticipates
the Deputy working closely with Department Heads and will be asking existing
staff to increase their level of responsibility as well. Mr. Lane noted
that in the past Tompkins County has had one or two Deputy County Administrators.
Ms. Herrera asked about the salary level previously and was told $80,000;
she asked why it is being proposed lower now and was told by Mr. Whicher
that the idea is to keep it lower than that of Department Heads because we
don’t' want this position to have authority over Department Heads.
Ms. Kiefer requested a copy of the existing job description for Deputy County Administrator.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 5:10 p.m.
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