BUDGET COMMITTEE
 November 19, 2008

** NOT APPROVED **

Committee Members Present 

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

(Absent:  W. Hall)

 

Others Present

L. Ballengee, M. Gasdik, R. Hartwick, D. Horan, J. Margeson, B. Reynolds, B. Riehle, D. Roeske, T. Ross, W. Tompkins

 

Approval of Minutes

            The October 15, 2008 Budget Committee minutes were approved on a motion by Legislator Fanton, seconded by Legislator Dibble and carried.

 

 

DEPARTMENTAL BUDGET REVIEWS:

 

Social Services – Third Quarter Budget Review

            Social Services Accountant Don Horan distributed copies of his financial report ending September 30, 2008.  Mr. Horan stated that the Social Services’ accounts are accurate and very close to projections.  The revenues are slightly higher than expected for this time of year as a few payments were received that historically are not received until the last quarter of the year.  Mr. Horan also mentioned that account A6129 should run about $112,595 for the year; however, expenses can be submitted retroactively up to five years, and there is a possibility of receiving a bill for approximately $320,000.  Mr. Horan indicated that they are starting to see some of the state cuts in the smaller programs, but it has not amounted to much at this point.  We should end up right where we budgeted.  We are not going to spend as much, but we will also be receiving less revenue so the projected local share should be right on target.  Anticipated loss of some state aid was calculated in the 2009 budget.

 

 

Health Department – Third Quarter Budget Review

 

            Public Health Director Lori Ballengee distributed copies of her third quarter financial report, noting that the appropriations and revenues will both be below the budgeted amount due to the sale of the Home Care Agency.  The local share required to run the Health Department will be much lower than originally projected, and Mrs. Ballengee complimented her staff on doing a great job and keeping costs down.

 

 

Sheriff’s Office – Third Quarter Budget Review

 

            Sheriff William Tompkins and Accountant Randy Hartwick distributed copies of the Sheriff’s Office financial reports for both the second and third quarters of 2008.  Sheriff Tompkins called committee members’ attention to the improved financial projections between the second and third quarter reports.  The projected revenues increased by more than $28,000 between the second and third quarter, and projected expenses decreased by more than $30,375 for that same time period.  The Sheriff indicated that part of the improvement can be attributed to hiring more part-time employees. 

 

            Overtime reports through payroll 23 ending November 7, 2008, were distributed.  Sheriff Tompkins explained the different overtime categories and how overtime is tracked.  The Sheriff indicated that they do not always have enough part-time employees to cover everything a part-time employee can contractually cover; however, a new Corrections Officer test was recently given, and they hope to add more part-time employees in the near future.  Approximately 42,821 overtime hours have been worked at an estimated cost of $1,075,430 so far this year. 

 

           

 

An inmate housing summary spreadsheet was also distributed.  Through October, the County has collected $1,840,820 from housing federal inmates and an additional $38,335 from housing inmates from other counties.  The Sheriff’s Office projects that the County will collect approximately $2,063,218 from housing inmates by year end.   Legislator David Pullen asked if there is potential for increasing the number of inmates we house.  Sheriff Tompkins indicated that because inmates have to be classified and housed following certain criteria, we are near our capacity limit the majority of the time. 

 

 

Office for the Aging – Third Quarter Budget Review

 

            Office for the Aging Director Kimberley Toot distributed copies of her third quarter financial report, noting that the finances look as expected.  The Office for the Aging has received 63 percent of their budgeted revenue and expended about 70 percent of their budgeted appropriations.  Ms. Toot does not anticipate going over budget, but it will be close.  The Meals on Wheels Program causes the biggest concern as far as going over.  They will not reach their budgeted revenue amount due to cuts in state aid.  Ms. Toot indicated that they have waiting lists for in-home services.  They are able to keep the cost of providing services flat by creating waiting lists; however this doesn’t help anyone at home – it only balances the budget.  Ms. Toot indicated that they contact individuals on a waiting list to find out if they have other support systems, or if they might fit into other programs, etc.  The waiting list is not on a first-come, first-serve basis – it’s prioritized based on need.  Legislator David Pullen commented that the Senior Foundation was set up to help supplement services, and other community organizations such as Lions’ Clubs and United Way are helping out with things like lifeline.  The waiting lists would be much longer if these other groups were not assisting 

 

            Ms. Toot commented that she is not confident in the figures used for her 2009 budget.  They were based on figures originally presented by the state.  The Governor has proposed additional cuts that will hit lifeline, homecare and meals, and this is not where they should be looking if they want to take money from the Office for the Aging.  Ms. Toot stated that they are strongly advocating that the state look elsewhere, and they are also making suggestions. 

 

 

Public Works – Third Quarter Budget Review

 

            Public Works Superintendent David Roeske distributed copies of financial reports as of November 17, 2008.  Mr. Roeske indicated that the Solid Waste revenue will probably be approximately $30,000 less than budgeted because we have taken in less garbage so we are receiving less in tipping fees, and many residents are buying dump permits later in the year to take advantage of the pro-rated discount.  Public Works anticipates receiving approximately $275,000 more in County Road revenue and $75,000 more in Road Machinery revenue than budgeted based on some bridge work we did and paid for this year. 

 

            Mr. Roeske indicated that the expense accounts are accurate and very close to projections; however, he is a little concerned that they could run short in the Snow Removal account.  Salt costs about $7/ton now.  County Administrator/Budget Officer John Margeson asked Mr. Roeske if he worries about not being able to get salt and sand.  Mr. Roeske indicated that they did not get caught in the shortage last year, and he tries to keep some in reserve.  So far we have been able to keep up with the demand; however, some towns hit you at the last minute which doesn’t work well if several towns do that.  Legislator Karl Kruger commented that storage capacity is an issue for some towns.

 

 

Sales Tax Report

 

            County Treasurer Terri Ross distributed copies of a Sales Tax Report reflecting receipts through November 13, 2008, totaling $15,803,201.741 and interest totaling $16,097.92 which is up about 7.76 percent ($1,138,569.41) over last year’s figures.

 

 

 

Mandated and Non-Mandated County Programs

               

                Ms. Ross distributed spreadsheets listing all County cost centers in the budget and showing whether the program is mandated or non-mandated and how the program is funded.  

 

 

Adjournment

 

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

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Brenda Rigby Riehle, Clerk of the Board

Allegany County Board of Legislators