ALLEGANY
REGULAR SESSION
JUNE 8, 2009
** APPROVED
CALL
TO ORDER: The regular meeting of the Board of
Legislators was called to order at 2:05 p.m. by Chairman Curtis W. Crandall.
PLEDGE
OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG: The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Ralph A.
Coates, former United States Army Sergeant.
INVOCATION: The
Invocation was given by Legislator Pullen.
ROLL
CALL: 15 Present; 0 Absent.
APPROVAL OF
MINUTES:
The Committee of the Whole meeting (health
insurance presentation) minutes of May 11, 2009 were approved on a motion made
by Legislator Dibble, seconded by Legislator Pullen and carried.
The Board meeting minutes of May 26,
2009 were approved on a motion made by Legislator Hopkins, seconded by
Legislator Fanton and carried.
The Committee of the Whole meeting (Alfred
State College presentation) minutes of May 26, 2009 were approved on a motion
made by Legislator McCormick, seconded by Legislator Fanton and carried.
PRIVILEGE OF
THE FLOOR:
Chairman Crandall presented a certificate
to Ralph A. Coates, former United States Army Sergeant, in grateful
appreciation of his service to our Country.
Mr. Coates’ service dates were from November 1942 to November 1945. Battles or conflicts he was involved in were
in Northern France, Rhineland, and the Liberation of France and
Chairman Crandall granted privilege
of the floor to the following:
Timothy
Bigham, NYS Farm Bureau Field Advisor, addressed the Board regarding
agricultural issues. The Farm Bureau is
currently fighting against proposed state legislation that would result in the
loss of hundreds of jobs in
Mr.
Bigham also noted that the recession has hit farmers very hard. Costs for processing foods and delivering
them to market are passed through to the consumer, but some costs are passed
back to the farmer, such as charging farmers stop charges for milk
pick-up. Food prices are relatively
high, yet farmers aren’t seeing better incomes.
Farm expenses such as fuel, feed, fertilizer, and property taxes seem to
climb every year. Farming is
unsustainable at the rate things are going.
Farm costs are escalating far faster than product values, which in many
cases are dropping rather than rising.
Farm
Bureau is requesting assistance from the Board of Legislators by: 1.) continuing to contact the Farm Bureau for
input when agricultural issues are considered; 2.) trying to decrease the
property tax burden for farmers where possible; 3.) doing whatever is possible
to help the agricultural infrastructure in the County, including support of the
agricultural components of our colleges, improved broadband access to rural
areas, support of the Empire Zone concept for agricultural businesses, and
providing good roads and bridges and laws that don’t negatively impact
agricultural operations.
Legislator
Ungermann asked Mr. Bigham about the impact of NYS Department of Transportation
laws on agriculture. Mr. Bigham replied
that the state is looking for money wherever they can find it through fines,
fees, and permits, and they have been cracking down. There is an impact. Mr. Bigham noted that, in defense of the DOT,
they did contact him recently asking about the agricultural impact of work on a
particular bridge and what they could do to improve it.
Legislator
Reynolds questioned if the Farm Bureau wanted a resolution opposing the
proposed state bills. Mr. Bigham noted
that the matter will be resolved in a couple of days, but phone calls would
help. The bill numbers are S.2247 and S.5212.
Legislator
McCormick commented that the Farm Bureau’s opposition to the proposed law is
saying, in effect, that if a farm worker puts in more than eight hours in a
day, he shouldn’t get overtime. What
other sector would expect that? Mr.
Bigham responded that some farmers have been putting workers on salary. The fact is that when farmers are faced with
costs they can’t pay, and they’re already paying out more than they’re bringing
in, they will fold up the farm. So
instead of having eight hours pay, the worker will have nothing.
Legislator
Andrea
Finch, 45th Allegany County Dairy Princess, reported on some of her
duties as Dairy Princess. Ms. Finch has
done educational presentations for elementary school students and parents on
the importance and benefits of consuming more dairy products, and she’s been
involved in local promotional programs. The
Dairy Princess has spoken and taken part in school programs, an FFA event,
parades, and a radio interview promoting the “three-a-day” program. (Milk punch and cheese and crackers were made
available in the hallway outside of the Chambers.)
(1.) Motion to adopt a pre-filed Resolution
(a) Requires a second.
(b) Requires opportunity for
discussion/debate.
(c) Requires 8 affirmative votes to
adopt. Certain pre-filed Resolutions
require
10 affirmative votes to adopt (i.e. Bond Resolutions).
(2.) Motion to consider a Resolution that
has not been pre-filed
(a) Requires a second.
(b) Requires 10 affirmative votes to
pass. The Presiding Officer may allow
the
Motion to Consider to be acted on by voice vote.
(c) Any member may raise a Point of Order and
request that the Presiding
Officer
“call the roll.”
(3.) Motion to Place on the Table
(a) Can be made only after Resolution has
been moved and seconded for
consideration.
(b) A motion
to Place on the Table requires a second, is not debatable, and
requires
8 affirmative votes to pass.
(4.) Motion to Remove from the Table
(a) Requires a second, is not debatable, and
requires 8 affirmative votes to
pass.
(5.) Motion to Withdraw a Resolution
(a) Is made only after the Resolution has
been moved and seconded for
consideration.
(b) Is subject to debate/discussion.
(c) Requires 8 affirmative votes to pass.
(d) The Motion to Withdraw a Resolution may
contain a Subsidiary Motion
such
as committing or referring the Resolution back to the sponsoring
Standing
Committee for potential amendment and/or re-introduction.
(6.) Motion to Refer a Resolution to a
Standing Committee
(a) Is made after the Resolution has been
moved and seconded.
(b) The Motion to Refer the Resolution to a
Standing Committee requires a
second, is
debatable, and requires 8 affirmative votes to pass.
Legislator Ungermann questioned if
items 3 through 6 required roll call votes or if the Chairman had the
option. Mr. Margeson stated that the
Chairman has the option, but normally a voice vote is done. Any Board member may ask the Chairman for a
roll call vote.
Legislator Dibble suggested
referring the information on to the Ways and Means Committee. Chairman Crandall noted that the purpose of
presenting the information was to clarify past practice, and referring it to Ways
and Means would clear up the terminology and incorporate it into the Board
Rules. Legislator Ungermann commented
that his newer copy of Robert’s Rules states that any time a two-thirds vote is
required, it should never be voice voted.
Legislator Reynolds questioned if the Board Rules supersede Robert’s Rules. County Attorney Thomas Miner replied that
they do, but most of what is being done with this information is clarifying
past practice. This will formalize
it. Referred to Ways and Means.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS,
COMMUNICATIONS, REPORTS, ETC.:
Copies of the following were placed on each Legislator’s desk:
1. Report of Intrafund Transfers Approved
by the
The
following communications were also acknowledged:
1. A plaque from ACCORD Corporation in
appreciation for the Board’s commitment and support was accepted by Legislator
William Hall on the Board’s behalf at a recent meeting on May 21.
2. Mercy Flight’s 2008 Annual Report along
with correspondence thanking the Board for its support.
3. Southern Tier West Regional Planning
&
4. Correspondence from NYSDOT Regional
Planning and Program Manager Brian Kelly identifying projects submitted under
the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) that did not receive funding.
5. Correspondence from the NYS Office of
Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Deputy Commissioner Erik Kulleseid
indicating that the County did not receive funding for the Cuba Landmark
Connections to Greenway Project under the OPRHP Recovery Act funding; however,
the project may qualify for funding under the Environmental Protection Fund if they
wish to pursue it.
6. Notice of next
7. The annual Legislators’ Clambake has
been scheduled for July 31 at
8. Correspondence
from Cynthia Ungermann-Gowiski in opposition to Resolution Intro. No. 107-09
authorizing the purchase of property from Charles and Gloria Tronetti.
INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION:
Legislator Karl Kruger introduced
Local Law Intro. No. 1-2009, Print No. 1, entitled “A Local Law Amending Local
Law No. 3 of the Year 1993 Providing for a Reduction in the Size of the
Allegany County Board of Legislators from Fifteen Members to Ten Members,” a
copy of said proposed Local Law having been placed on each legislator’s desk.
RESOLUTIONS:
RESOLUTION INTRO. NO. 105-09
(RESOLUTION SETTING DATE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON A LOCAL LAW AMENDING LOCAL LAW
NO. 3 OF THE YEAR 1993 PROVIDING FOR A REDUCTION IN THE SIZE OF THE ALLEGANY
COUNTY BOARD OF LEGISLATORS FROM FIFTEEN MEMBERS TO TEN MEMBERS) was REFERRED
TO THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE following a motion made by Legislator
Reynolds, seconded by Legislator Pullen and carried on a roll call vote of 10
Ayes, 5 Noes, 0 Absent. (Voting No: Kruger, McCormick, O’Grady, Russo,
Ungermann.)
Comments made regarding proposed Resolution Intro. No. 105-09 prior to
its being referred included:
Legislator Ungermann noted that a petition
drive to reduce the size of the legislature was performed and turned in a
number of years ago. At that time, the
requested reduction was from fifteen to five.
The public has said repeatedly that the legislature is too large for the
number of people it serves.
Legislator McCormick pointed out that this
resolution is only asking for a public hearing on the topic. The argument is that the legislative body
would be as responsive with ten members as with fifteen, but then we may hear
just the opposite. We should offer the opportunity
for comment, although there are a lot of details not yet worked out
legislatively.
Legislator Pullen listed his concerns on this
issue. A reduction in the number of
legislators also reduces the representation of each citizen. How large should the Board be? This proposal for a reduction to ten is one possible
solution, a prior proposal by the Committee of 44 suggested five, and he’s heard
seven and nine. Mr. Pullen noted that he
has also heard concerns on the terms of legislators and whether they should be
left at four years, shortened or lengthened, or changed to staggered terms. One of the most significant, common arguments
for reducing the number of legislators is to save money, but the proposal by the
Committee of 44 would have set a salary of $40,000, greatly increasing the cost
over the current pay. Depending on the number
of members, fewer would have to spend more time. The way things are now, Mr. Pullen commented
that he consistently spends 30-50 hours per week on his legislative duties, and
he’s able to because he’s self-employed.
Are we saying that only those who are retired, wealthy, or self-employed
can serve at this job? That would be a
tragedy, because legislators should be in similar circumstances as those they
serve. Decreasing the number of members
would make it a full-time job and would reduce the pool of interested citizens
that could run. Mr. Pullen also pointed
out that with the number of issues requiring a two-thirds vote, he would
support a reduction to nine members (with six votes needed in these
circumstances) over a reduction to ten (with seven votes needed) due to the
increased chances for deadlocks. These
are all significant issues. The voters
should have a say, but it needs to be thoroughly considered and then brought to
the voters. Also, this proposal wouldn’t
have an impact until 2013, and that brings up the issue of the census. After the 2000 census, the County had to
redistrict, and we don’t know what will happen in 2010. We probably will know in one to two years,
which would favor time for deliberation on what’s best for the County. Although not opposed in principle, Mr. Pullen
prefers sending the matter to Ways and Means for thorough deliberation
Legislator Reynolds commented on the large
number of hours and intense effort that legislators often put in on particular
issues, and gave as an example the time spent by Legislators Pullen and Ungermann
on court facilities issues. Almost every
day, Mr. Reynolds does something for his legislative job or his constituents. The position would become full-time if the
number of legislators is reduced to ten or less. The Committee of 44’s intent was to go to five
full-time legislators with a salary of $40,000.
Mr. Reynolds’ concern would be with the lower number, where their loyalties
would lie – with the average person, or the bigger entities. Mr. Reynolds voiced his appreciation for the
other representatives in his district, each with different experiences. He also felt the matter should go to
committee prior to a public hearing, because we need to know all the
ramifications first.
Legislator Kruger referred to a comparison he
did for legislative expenses, particularly the average cost for each resolution. Ten may not be the best number of legislators,
but this matter is on the floor, and we’re talking about a way of cutting the cost
of government for the taxpayers. There
will be time for amendments. For four
years Mr. Kruger has been waiting for the Board to do something to cut costs. This is not the first time for this idea, and
we may find out the public isn’t happy with the proposal, but as long as we do
nothing, that’s what we’ll get. Instead
of waiting for the committee referral and the chance that nothing will happen,
Mr. Kruger felt the matter should be moved forward in order to give the
taxpayers something in the way of cost savings during this term. Discussions and the amendment process can
take place and we can go from there.
Legislator O’Grady questioned the process
following the public hearing. County
Attorney Thomas Miner replied that the next step would be Board approval of a
resolution, and from there the matter would go on to the ballot for public
voting. Legislator Pullen asked that if
amendments were proposed after a public hearing takes place, whether another
public hearing would be needed on the amendments. Mr. Miner noted that he would research that.
Legislator Ungermann did not support the
referral to committee due to the lack of a time limit for action. He felt that the public hearing should be held
to allow the public to voice their ideas and thoughts. This resolution doesn’t approve the
reduction, it just sets the date for the public hearing.
Legislator
Legislator Reynolds pointed out that the
referral to committee was not intended as a way to delay the proposal. The public, as well as any legislator, can
attend the Ways and Means Committee meetings.
The Board wants the people’s will to be done, but they have to
understand what they are voting on.
RESOLUTION
NO. 98-09
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE
NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION/
AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT GRANT
FUNDS;
RATIFYING
APPLICATION FOR FUNDING AND PERMITTING
NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION;
APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS
Offered by:
Ways and Means Committee
WHEREAS, the County of Allegany is applying for a New York State
Department of Transportation/American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant in
the amount of $420,000 to be used for the purchase of six (6) buses to replace
aging buses used in the County Public Transit System, and
WHEREAS, such appropriated funds will be placed in Revenue Account
No. A11.4589.STIM, now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED:
1. That the County Administrator is
authorized to apply for a New York State Department of Transportation/American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant in the amount of $420,000.
2. That this Board of Legislators
authorizes the
3. That the signature by the
Moved by: Mr. Reynolds Adopted: Roll Call
Seconded by: Mr. Fanton 15
Ayes, 0 Noes, 0 Absent
(Memo:
The funds referred to in Resolution No. 98-09 require no local share
contribution.)
Comments made regarding Resolution No. 98-09
included:
Legislator O’Grady questioned if obtaining the
grant for the new buses obligated the County in any way, as he understood the
goal of putting the transit system under the new task force and the agreement
with Arc would eventually allow the County to back out. Legislator Hall explained that the goal of
those agreements was to bring in more funding.
Opening up the Arc buses to the public allows us to receive STOA money
to offset costs. We still need to
provide transportation, and this resolution allows the County to obtain funding
for the buses. Chairman Crandall noted
that other agencies can’t directly apply for and receive these funds. He also explained that at first the County
was just a pass-through for funding. Now
since local costs have increased, the task force is attempting to reduce the local
share.
Legislator Ungermann questioned if the County
had any obligation for purchasing the buses if we don’t receive the grant.
RESOLUTION INTRO. NO. 107-09 (AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF PROPERTY FROM
CHARLES AND GLORIA TRONETTI LOCATED IN
RESOLUTION
NO. 99-09
APPROVAL OF LEASE OF LAND TO VALLEY VIEW
DAIRY, INC.
TO BE USED FOR AGRICULTURAL PURPOSES ONLY
Offered by:
Ways and Means Committee
WHEREAS, the
County desires to lease County land for agricultural purposes only, now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED:
1. That
the Lease of County Land between the County of Allegany and Valley View Dairy,
Inc. for approximately 15 acres of land south of the Allegany County Jail and
Public Safety Facility on State Route 19 is approved.
2. That the Chairman of this Board is
authorized to execute said Lease.
Moved by: Mr. Reynolds Adopted: Roll Call
Seconded by: Mr. Hopkins 15
Ayes, 0 Noes, 0 Absent
(Memo: The lease approved by Resolution No. 99-09 is
for the period ending December 31, 2009.)
RESOLUTION
NO. 100-09
APPROVAL OF BOARD CHAIRMAN’S APPOINTMENT TO
CITIZENS ADVISORY COUNCIL TO THE OFFICE FOR
THE AGING
Offered by:
Human Services Committee
Pursuant to Resolution No. 221-74
RESOLVED:
1. That
the appointment of William Emrick of Scio, New York as a member at large to the
Citizens Advisory Council to the Office for the Aging effective January 1, 2009
and expiring December 31, 2011, is confirmed.
Moved by: Mr. Truax Adopted: Voice Vote
Seconded by: Mr. Pullen
RESOLUTION
NO. 101-09
A RESOLUTION DETERMINING THAT ERRORS EXIST
ON THE
2008 AND 2009 COUNTY AND TOWN TAX ROLLS FOR
THE TOWNS NAMED
WITH REGARD TO REAL PROPERTY OF VARIOUS
TAXPAYERS THEREIN;
DIRECTING MAILING OF NOTICES OF APPROVAL OF
APPLICATIONS FOR CORRECTED TAX ROLLS AND
ORDERING THE VARIOUS TOWN TAX COLLECTORS TO
CORRECT THE TAX ROLLS;
PROVIDING FOR CHARGE BACKS OR CREDITS
Offered by:
Ways and Means Committee
Pursuant to Real Property Tax Law § 554
WHEREAS, applications, for the taxpayers hereafter described, have
been made to the County's Director of Real Property Tax Service Agency, for the
correction of certain errors affecting their real property on various tax
rolls, and
WHEREAS, the Director has transmitted to this Board the
applications, in duplicate, together with a written report of his investigation
of the claimed errors and his written recommendation for action thereon by this
Board as to each application, and
WHEREAS, this Board has examined each application and report to
determine whether the claimed error exists, now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED:
1. That with regard to the applications
for the named taxpayers pertaining to claimed errors regarding their real
property on the respective tax rolls of the named Towns, this Board of
Legislators does determine that the claimed errors as alleged in those
applications exist and does approve those applications.
2. That the Chairman of this Board is
authorized and directed to make a notation on those applications and the
duplicates thereof that they are approved, to enter thereon the respective
correct extension of taxes as set forth by the Director in his report, to enter
thereon the respective date of mailing of a notice of approval, to enter
thereon the date of mailing of a certified copy of this resolution to the
proper Tax Collector, and to sign thereon as Chairman.
3. That the Clerk of this Board is directed
to mail to the below listed taxpayers a notice of approval stating, in
substance, that their application made has been approved, to inform the
Chairman of this Board of the date of the mailing thereof, and to inform such
respective taxpayers of the applicable provisions of subdivision seven of
Section 554 of the Real Property Tax Law.
4. That the Tax Collector of the Town of
Belfast is ordered and directed to correct in the 2009 County and Town Tax Roll
the assessment or taxes, or both, of the property assessed to the following
taxpayer and described as follows:
a. Department of Environmental
Conservation; Parcel 130.-1-1.8
Assessment: Land $7,100 Total $7,100
this parcel was purchased by
|
|
5. That the Tax Collector of the Town of
Birdsall is ordered and directed to correct in the 2009 County and Town Tax
Roll the assessment or taxes, or both, of the property assessed to the
following taxpayer and described as follows:
a. State of
Assessment: Land $89,200 Total $89,200
this parcel should not have received a
|
|
$
0.00 |
|
Town |
622.70 |
|
Total |
$622.70 |
and the
|
|
$1,351.40 |
b. State of
Assessment: Land $461,490 Total $461,490
this parcel should not have been assessed on the roll, and the
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|
6. That
the Tax Collector of the Town of New Hudson is ordered and directed to correct
in the 2008 and 2009 County and Town Tax Roll the assessment or taxes, or both,
of the property assessed to the following taxpayer and described as follows:
a. Deming, Bruce; Parcel 129.-1-21
Assessment: Land $4,400 Total $4,400
this parcel should have been on the Tax Roll under Section 8 as wholly
exempt, and the
2008
|
|
$66.00 |
|
Town |
56.82 |
|
Fire |
5.50 |
|
School |
86.84 |
|
Total |
$215.16 |
b. Deming, Bruce; Parcel 129.-1-21
Assessment: Land $4,400 Total $4,400
this parcel should have been on the Tax Roll under Section 8 as wholly
exempt, and the
|
|
2008-2009 |
2009 |
|
|
|
$73.83 |
|
Town |
|
61.09 |
|
Fire |
|
5.60 |
|
School |
$76.89 |
|
|
Library |
1.84 |
|
|
Total |
$78.73 |
$140.52 |
7. That the Clerk of this Board is
directed to forthwith mail a certified copy of this resolution to the various
Tax Collectors for the Towns stated above together with the original copies of
those applications completed in accordance with section two of this resolution.
8. The Clerk of this Board shall mail a
copy of this resolution to the above named School and the amount to be charged
to each School shall not be charged until 10 days after such mailing. Such amount shall be deducted by the County
Treasurer from the money payable to each School as a result of school taxes
returned after the date such amount is charged and which shall be paid to each
School after May 1, 2010. The
Moved by: Mr. Reynolds Adopted: Roll Call
Seconded by: Mr. Truax 15
Ayes, 0 Noes, 0 Absent
RESOLUTION
NO. 102-09
INCREASING APPROPRIATION AND
REVENUE ACCOUNTS IN
THE
Offered by:
Ways and Means Committee
RESOLVED:
1. That County Attorney’s Account No.
A1420.432 (
Moved by: Mr. Reynolds Adopted: Roll Call
Seconded by: Mr. Pullen 15
Ayes, 0 Noes, 0 Absent
(Memo: The account increases approved by Resolution
No. 102-09 cover DSS special counsel fees incurred under contract for Support
Collection. This raises the total in
that account to $50,000. Last year’s
budget request was for $30,000 less than the previous year’s budget. At the time, it was projected that these
legal services could be provided in house, with the proviso that subsequent
developments might make this option undesirable. Subsequent to that request, some issues were
resolved, while the need for DSS legal services proved greater than
anticipated. Although the Ways and Means
Committee was advised toward the end of last year that the
RESOLUTION
NO. 103-09
TRANSFER OF FUNDS
WITHIN OFA - SPOE PERSONNEL SERVICES ACCOUNT
Offered by: Human Services Committee
RESOLVED:
1. That the sum of $3,000 is transferred
from Account No. A6787.1 (Personnel Services) to Account No. A6787.8 (Employee
Benefits) to cover unbudgeted 2009 health insurance premiums.
Moved by: Mr. Truax Adopted: Roll Call
Seconded by: Mr. Dibble 15
Ayes, 0 Noes, 0 Absent
Comments made regarding Resolution No. 103-09
included: Legislator Kruger questioned
the change, and Office for the Aging Director Kimberley Toot responded that an
employee was previously covered on the spouse’s health insurance, and when the
spouse lost his/her job, the employee needed to pick up insurance. It is a 100 percent state funded position.
RESOLUTION
NO. 104-09
Offered by:
Ways and Means Committee
RESOLVED:
1. That the sum of $40,000 is transferred
from Account No. A1990.4 (Contingent) to Account No. A3152.412 (Public Works –
Contractual), for installation of air clarifiers in the Allegany County Jail and Public Safety
Facility.
Moved by: Mr. Reynolds Adopted: Roll Call
Seconded by: Mr. Fanton 15
Ayes, 0 Noes, 0 Absent
(Memo: The transfer approved by Resolution No.
104-09 was needed for modifications to the air handling system in one of the
pods at the County Jail, including equipment, installation, balancing, and
commissioning. The current system in
unable to properly cool and control the humidity within the Jail. The other four pods will be addressed in the
2010 Budget.)
RESOLUTION INTRO. NO. 114-09 (APPROVAL OF VENDOR LICENSE AND ITS
ISSUANCE TO JEFFREY BURR BY THE BOARD CHAIRMAN FOR RETAIL FOOD VENDING AT THE
RUSHFORD LAKE BEACH AREA LEASED BY THE COUNTY OF ALLEGANY FROM THE RUSHFORD
LAKE DISTRICT) was TABLED following a motion made by Legislator Dibble,
seconded by Legislator Truax and carried.
RESOLUTION
NO. 105-09
APPROVAL OF AGREEMENT WITH APPROVED PROVIDER
OF PROGRAMS, SEIT AND/OR EVALUATIONS FOR PRESCHOOLERS WITH DISABILITIES
Offered by:
Human Services Committee
RESOLVED:
1. That Agreement titled "
2. That the Chairman of this Board is
authorized to execute such Agreement.
Moved by: Mr. Truax Adopted: Roll Call
Seconded by: Mr. Kruger 14
Ayes, 1 No, 0 Absent
Voting
No: Ungermann
Comments made regarding Resolution No. 105-09
included:
Legislator Ungermann questioned the cost of $300,000
to $400,000 and noted that often there’s a tendency to rubber stamp these
contracts whether the provider is qualified or not. It drives the cost up. He asked if the County had any control or if
there are any rules for eligibility.
Legislator Truax explained that the program is state mandated, and they
set the rules. The program should be
under the state educational system, not under the Department of Health. The County is very limited with what they can
do about the costs. Legislator Pullen
noted that the state pays a smaller percentage for this program than for
schools, so it reduces their bill and increases ours. The program is still controlled by the Committee
for Special Education, and there are people trying to reduce costs. Within the present rules, the County is doing
a good job. Public Health Director Lori
Ballengee commented that the County has no say on the program. The schools decide who receives services and
we pay.
AUDITS:
A motion was made by
Legislator Truax, seconded by Legislator Pullen and carried, that the audits be
acted upon collectively and by totals.
A motion was made by
Legislator Reynolds, seconded by Legislator Fanton and adopted on a roll call
vote of 15 Ayes, 0 Noes, 0 Absent, that the audit of claims, totaling $2,923,706.02
including prepaid expenses, be approved for payment as recommended by the
County Administrator. (
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 3:33 p.m. on a motion made by Legislator
Reynolds, seconded by Legislator Truax and carried.