BUDGET COMMITTEE
 Special Budget Review
 August 25, 2008
  
** NOT APPROVED **

 Committee Members Present

T. Hopkins, D. Fanton, W. Dibble, W. Hall, T. O’Grady, C. Crandall

 

Others Present

D. Aumick, K. Kruger, J. Margeson, B. Reynolds, B. Riehle, T. Ross, D. Russo, N. Ungermann

 

Approval of Minutes

            The August 12 and 13, 2008 Budget Committee minutes were approved on a motion by Legislator O’Grady, seconded by Legislator Fanton and carried.

 

Youth Bureau – 2009 Budget Review

            Youth Bureau Director Deborah Aumick stated that her 2009 Youth Bureau budget increased by $2,054 over last year.  The increase represents a change in how the benefits for the Director and Senior Account Clerk are booked.  In the past, expenses associated with benefits have appeared under the STOP DWI budget which uses no local tax dollars; however, that practice has been “red flagged” by the state, and the Youth Bureau budget will have to reflect some of the expense.  Ms. Aumick indicated that she decreased the mileage account, and all other line items are about the same as last year.

 

            Ms. Aumick stated that she has told all vendors to get their claims in as soon as possible as there is a possibility that the state may not pay them if they are not submitted by a certain date.  County Treasurer Terri Ross confirmed what Ms. Aumick was saying, noting that the state operates on a cash basis, and any leftover funds not spent by a certain date may be cut.  Committee members briefly discussed the County’s practice of paying vendors and then submitting the claims to the state.  County Administrator/Budget Officer John Margeson recommended submitting the claims received from vendors directly to the state, and letting the state cut the checks.  Committee members talked about the need to let vendors know that there is a possibility that New York State might not be reimbursing them, and that Allegany County cannot guarantee payment.  Ms. Aumick indicated that her office is sending letters and making phone calls to vendors about this issue.

 

STOP DWI – 2009 Budget Review

            Ms. Aumick indicated that the STOP DWI program is funded by drunk driving fines, and funding should remain stable.  Overall the STOP DWI budget is about $1,000 higher than last year.

 

Community Services – 2009 Budget Review

            Mr. Margeson stated that the Community Services budget is based on state and federal aid, and the County contribution has remained the same for years.

           

            A motion was made by Legislator Fanton, seconded by Legislator Hall and carried to accept the budgets as presented with recommended changes by the Budget Officer.

 

State Budget Cuts

            Ms. Ross stated that she attended a meeting last week regarding the state budget cuts.  She should be receiving an electronic copy of a presentation regarding the budget which she will share with committee members.  Ms. Ross indicated that representatives from NYSAC went in and tried to get anything that might be detrimental to the counties off the table, and they were able to avoid a majority of the proposed cost shifts that affect counties.  NYSAC put together a nice spreadsheet listing all programs and their percentage in the budget.  Ms. Ross indicated that NYSAC plans to hold a strategic planning session at the upcoming conference in September regarding the 2009 state budget. 

 

Adjournment

There being no further business to come before the committee, a motion was made by Legislator Dibble, seconded by Legislator Fanton and carried to adjourn the meeting.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Brenda Rigby Riehle, Clerk of the Board

Allegany County Board of Legislators