BUDGET COMMITTEE
Committee Members Present
T. Hopkins, W. Dibble, C. Crandall
(Absent: D. Fanton, W. Hall, T. O’Grady)
L. Ballengee, D. Burdick, P.
Cockle, W. Goetschius, R. Hartwick, D. Horan, C. Ivers, J. Margeson, M.
McCormick, V. Pettit, D. Pullen, B. Reynolds, B. Riehle, D. Roeske, P.
Schmelzer, K. Toot
Approval of Minutes
The
July 16, 2008
Social Services Department – Mid-Year Budget Review
Social
Services Commissioner
Health Department – Mid-Year Budget Review
Public
Health Director Lori Ballengee distributed copies of her financial report as of
June 30, 2008. The Health Department has
collected approximately 32.65 percent of budgeted revenues and expended approximately
25.51 percent of budgeted appropriations.
The figures are below projected amounts primarily due to the sale of the
Home Care Agency. The projected revenue
collections and appropriation expenditures are anticipated to be approximately
one-half of the original budgeted figures – projected revenues are $3.1 million
out of a $6.2 million budget, and projected expenses are $3.7 million out of a
$7.4 million budget.
Sheriff’s Office – Mid-Year Budget Review
Mr. Hartwick also distributed copies
of a report showing overtime hours by payroll period. So far this year, approximately 32,000
overtime hours have been worked in the Sheriff’s Office at an estimated cost of
$808,749. Undersheriff William
Goetschius stated that overtime costs are a big factor in the overall budget
overage. They are in the process of
hiring ten new people, and another test will be given again in the fall. Adding new people should help with some of
the overtime costs especially when you consider that the “No Part-time
Available” overtime category makes up close to 12 percent of all overtime
figures with almost 4,000 hours worked under this category already this year. Jail Administrator
Shift
Briefing 2,347.25 hours 7.33% of total
Sunday
Premium 4,303.00 hours 13.43% of total
Sick
Coverage 1,949.50 hours 6.09% of total
Open Slot 2,720.00 hours 8.49% of total
Mr. Ivers stated although we receive some reimbursement, the
“Federal Transport” and “
Office for the Aging – Mid-Year Budget Review
Office for the Aging Director
Kimberley Toot distributed copies of her financial report as of June 30, 2008,
noting that the accounts are accurate and very close to projections. Mrs. Toot stated that increases in state
revenues have covered all increases in expenses that they have come up against
so far. Mrs. Toot indicated that she will be
participating in a conference call with the New York State Office for the Aging
tomorrow to discuss possible cuts. Mrs.
Toot asserted that if the County is sanctioned for noncompliance with the
Office of Court Administration, the Office for the Aging would lose hundreds of
thousands of dollars, and they would probably be forced to shut down since the
programs are not mandated.
Sales Tax Report
We
are in good shape compared to last year, and sales tax revenues for the year
are projected to reach $19.28 million.
It was noted that we budgeted $17.3 million for sales tax revenue in the
2008 budget. Committee members agreed that
although this is excellent news, figures can change very quickly, and we need
to keep a logical handle on it. Mr.
Margeson explained that the interest showing on the report represents the
interest we have made from our investments.
Committee
members talked about the increase in gas prices being one factor that has
driven the sales tax revenue up.
Legislator Dan Russo said that it would be interesting to know if
shopping habits have declined with rising gas prices. Legislator Brent Reynolds briefly mentioned a
legislative bill that will be considered regarding zone pricing to address the
varying gas prices at the pumps.
Miscellaneous Revenue Receipts
Mr.
Margeson pointed out that we have received 74 percent of our budgeted revenue
for interest and earnings. In addition,
account A2690.00 (Tobacco Settlement) was budgeted at $825,000 for 2008, and we
ended up receiving $846,278. Committee
members briefly discussed the tobacco settlement money.
Revenue from Housing Inmates
Legislator
Michael McCormick asked how we handle money that is received from housing
inmates in excess of our bond payment.
Mr. Margeson indicated that right now the money falls to General Fund,
and the Board will have to discuss how we want to book this money. Some suggested the money should be
transferred to a reserve account for debt payment on the jail. It was noted that the jail bond was issued
for 23 years, and there is a pre-payment option which can be exercised at any
time. Legislator David Pullen asked if
the resolution addressing a reserve account for the payment of debt on the jail
indicated how money can be used once it’s in the reserve account.
Resolutions from
Other Entities
Committee
members reviewed the following Resolutions:
2008
NYSAC Legislative Conference, Resolution #01 – Resolution Calling on
the Governor and State Legislature to End the Practice of Passing Costs for
State Programs to County Government and our Property Taxpayers
The
Mid-Year
Departmental Reports
Mid-year
financial reports for the following departments were distributed to committee
members for their review:
There
being no further business to come before the committee, the meeting was
adjourned on a motion by Legislator Dibble, seconded by Legislator Crandall and
carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda
Rigby Riehle, Clerk of the Board
Allegany