Staff:  K. Smithers, Administration; F. Croteau, Health Department; J. Andersson, Health Department; M. Dill, Human
          Services Coalition; B. Falcoa, Human Services Coalition; B. Grinnell-Crosby, Public Health; T. Herden, Department of
          Social Services; A. Cole, Health Department; N. Zahler, Youth Bureau; B. DeLuca, Mental Health; E. Mallen, Health
          Department; S. Kerr, Health Department; N. Burston, Human Services Coalition; K. Leinthall, Probation; M.
          Dolan, Department of Social Services; N. Zook, Youth Bureau; H. Giannelis, Tompkins Community Action, L. Dillon,
          Tompkins Community Action

Guests:  T. Joseph, Board of Representatives; P. Penniman, Board of  Representatives A. Green, Ithaca Youth Bureau

Call to Order

     Chair Winch called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m.  He said that the purpose of the meetings is to be able to hear from departments what the impact of budget cuts in 2003, would be,and any rollover requests for 2002 as well as ways to cut 2002 expenditures.  He told members of the Committee that he had received an e-mail from the Chair of the Board indicating that a resolution is being presented by the Budget and Capital Committee setting a 2002 spending reduction goals for the County Administrator to attempt to achieve across all departments and in cooperation with the departments.  He said that this meeting is the first of many prior to budget approval and he will discuss with the Committee the possibility of having a meeting each month to discuss only budgetary matters.

Mental Health

     Mr. DeLuca provided Committee members with information relevant to the upcoming budget process.  He advised members that due to mandates made by State and Federal agencies the areas where he can reduce his budget line are limited.  He also informed Committee members that Tompkins County is one of six areas of the state that has been approved for the MICA Coordinator position.  This position is fully funded from outside sources and is to coordinate services for individuals who have combined mental health and drug issues.  Mr. DeLuca did request direction regarding particular areas currently funded; due to the nature of their funding, he was not certain if they would be included in the reduction process.  He also informed the Committee of attempts to increase revenue through a more extensive billing process.  Members of the Committee asked about the various programs within the department.  Ms. Robertson requested that she be provided information regarding the various agencies funded by the department.

     Chair Winch indicated that it is the desire of the Committee to have departments come to the budgetary meetings prepared with the cuts and information relevant to the scenario.  He did not wish to have departments come to the Committee seeking guidance of where to cut.  Mr. Joseph said that he would expect to see the reduction reflected in the targeted budget with a request for over-target expenditures if deemed appropriate; the Board would then consider the over-target request.

Health Department

     Ms. Cole said that the information presented reflected the ten percent reduction for 2002 and an additional ten percent for 2003.  Ms. Cole reviewed the proposed cuts and noted the difficulty of accurately presenting the final impact due to the possibility of seniority “bumping” as a result of potential reorganization changes.  She also noted that there could be the potential for funding loss if the required maintenance of effort is not maintained.  Committee members reviewed the information with Ms. Cole and asked questions regarding the possibility of amending the original plan submitted to appropriate legislative offices in order to maintain the funding.  Mr. Joseph inquired about the proposed rental reduction and was informed that while the rental reduction would save County funds it would reduce state aid.  Ms. Cole expressed the desire to receive written guidelines of how to properly present the requested information to the Committee and Board.

     At this point it was clarified that departments should submit budget scenarios that showed the cuts without the benefit of rollover funding in order for the Committee and Board to have a clear understanding of the total impact.  Mr. Proto asked if it was possible for the Budget Committee to revive the projections made several years ago to review for future impact.

Human Services Coalition

     Ms. Dill reviewed with the Committee the potential impact to the Human Services Coalition as well as various agencies and organizations receiving funding from the County.  She indicated that the work of the Human Services Coalition would be slowed down and possibly would require a mandatory shut down for several weeks in order to meet the reduction goals.  She then said that the agencies they work with are understanding of the situation.  Ms. Dill informed the Committee that many agencies have already been required to cut budgets due to a reduction of funding from the United Way and that some have attempted to alleviate reductions through fund raising and applications for grants.  Some agencies are already on a very tight budget and further reductions could jeopardize the program’s existence or their effectiveness.  Ms. Dill expressed her concern that, in some cases, to reduce funding to the point that individuals were unable to receive services could possibly cost more to bring them back up to their current level.  Ms. Falcao, of the Health Planning Council, provided the Committee with information related to funding of various health programs in the County and a break down of Federal, State, and County dollars.  She said that more detail will be provided to the Committee at a future meeting.  Questions regarding agencies and their functions were responded to by Ms. Dill.
 

Department of Social Services

     Ms. Dolan said that she prepared her reduction scenario by taking the 2003 twenty percent reduction and working backwards in order to provide her with a better understanding of the full impact.  She said that she is reviewing the budget on a regular basis with staff in order to understand how and where to make appropriate reductions and believes that as a result of unfilled positions for the 2002 fiscal year, that her department has reduced its budget significantly.  She also informed the Committee that due to funding received by State and Federal sources in proportionate amounts to the local share, a four hundred thousand dollar reduction of the local share would result in a 1.7 million dollars gross expenditure reduction.  She reviewed the impact of the reduction on staffing responsibilities and contracts.  Also discussed was the mandated service requirements and protocol in the event that a reduction might reduce or eliminate these services.

Youth Bureau

     Ms. Zahler informed the Committee approximately eighty percent of the departmental budget is determined by volunteer members of the Youth Board.  She said that at the present time they are in the beginning stages of reviewing information necessary to effect the reductions requested in the manner least restrictive to the programs being served.  Further information was provided regarding contractual for-profit agencies providing services and that they have been approached to review what a cut would mean to programs.   She said that the regular budgetary process will provide a more clearly defined picture of reductions.  Next, Ms. Zahler reviewed programs and the ways that they could possibly be reorganized to provide services such as outside funding, possible shifting of services through preventive service funding, etc. as well as describing the impact of possible cuts on a variety of programs.  Also provided was information on steps being taken to reduce spending for the current fiscal year.

Tompkins Community Action

     Ms. Dillon reported that the grant received from the County is utilized for the operations of TCA and to supplement indirect or administrative costs not picked up by the primary funding sources of over eighteen programs.  She then reviewed the reductions for 2002 and 2003 based upon the requested scenario projection.  Ms. Dillon noted that budget reductions for some of the programs would reduce funding received from State and Federal sources.  Questions were asked by Committee members regarding what programs would have the least impact if a reduction were taken.  Ms. Dillon provided several areas that it might be possible to cut without a significant impact but stated that further review would be necessary.

Future Dates

     Mr. Winch said that Committee members will be contacted in order to set up a future schedule of meetings dealing with budget items.  He also said that he will be asking department heads to notify the Committee of the impact the State budget will have on their services.

Respectfully submitted, Karen Fuller, Deputy Clerk