BUDGET COMMITTEE
 May 21, 2008

** NOT APPROVED **

Committee Members Present

T. Hopkins, D. Fanton, W. Hall, T. O’Grady

(Absent: C. Crandall, W. Dibble)

 

Others Present

R. Christman, P. Cockle, D. Horan, J. Margeson, B. Reynolds, B. Riehle, T. Ross, D. Russo, P. Schmelzer

 

Approval of Minutes

            The April 16, 2008 Budget Committee minutes were approved on a motion by Legislator Fanton, seconded by Legislator Hall and carried.

 

 

FIRST QUARTER DEPARTMENTAL FINANCIAL REPORTS:

 

Health Department

            Health Department Accountant Pamela Cockle distributed copies of their first quarter financial report to committee members.  Mrs. Cockle noted that overall the Health Department has received 12.75 percent of its budgeted revenues which is below the projected amount.  The Public Health Nursing (A4011) and Long Term Care (A4040) revenues reflect receivables only through a portion of February due to billing lags.  In addition, the March bills were not sent out until the third week of April.   With the sale of these programs, our revenues will most likely fall below projected budgets, but it’s too early to predict specific amounts.  Likewise, our appropriations should also come in under budget.

 

            Mrs. Cockle also distributed a packet showing each different Health Department Program line by line.  Mrs. Cockle indicated that she meets with the Public Health Director, Deputy Public Health Director and all Program Managers on a regular basis, and this report is available on a monthly basis if committee members would ever like a copy. 

 

            Mrs. Cockle informed committee members that the cost accountants have completed the 2007 reports for both the Certified Home Health Agency and the Long Term Program, and they are anticipating a loss equivalent to about the same as 2006 which was over $400,000. 

 

Social Services

            Social Services Commissioner Patricia Schmelzer and Social Services Accountant Don Horan distributed copies of their first quarter financial report to committee members.  Mrs. Schmelzer noted that the HEAP (A6141) revenue and appropriation accounts will fall below the projected budgeted amounts because the state took over paying the HEAP vendors.  The County still determines who is eligible for HEAP, but we no longer process checks to individual vendors.  Mrs. Schmelzer also noted that the Purchase of Services (A6070) shows a large increase due to the reconciliation of 65/35 open ended state revenue.  We project a claim, and then we wait for final reconciliation before booking the revenue.  For the most part, the Social Services’ accounts appear to be accurate and close to budget projections for this time of year. 

 

Sales Tax Report

            County Treasurer Terri Ross distributed copies of a Sales Tax Report reflecting receipts through May 13, 2008, totaling $6,718,339.22 and interest totaling $8,405.67 which is up about 14.57 percent ($854,386.24) over last year’s figures.

 

            Legislator Timothy O’Grady asked if there has been any benefit to counties that chose to cap their tax on gas.  Ms. Ross and County Administrator John Margeson stated that most counties have indicated that it was a mistake to cap their tax on gas, and those counties do not believe that they have benefited in any way. 

 

Health Insurance

            Budget Committee Chairman Theodore Hopkins stated that he would like to have the committee look at where we stand on health insurance expenses at the June or July meeting, and he would also like to compare those figures to last year.  Mr. Margeson stated that it will be interesting to see if the recent reduction in the Health Department nursing staff will be reflected in our health insurance costs yet as there would be 15 less people and/or families using the County’s health insurance. 

 

2009 Budget Process

            Mr. Margeson stated that the kick-off meeting with Department Heads for the 2009 budget process will be at 2 p.m. on May 29.  Department Heads will need to complete and turn in their 2009 budget requests by the end of June this year.  Ms. Ross noted that some departments will be inputting their budget requests on the County’s main computer financial system this year.

 

Adjournment

There being no further business to come before the committee, the meeting was adjourned on a motion by Legislator Fanton, seconded by Legislator O’Grady and carried.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Brenda Rigby Riehle, Clerk of the Board

Allegany County Board of Legislators