WAYS & MEANS COMMITTEE

November 8, 2010

 

** NOT APPROVED **

Committee Members Present

T. Hopkins, D. Fanton, D. Burdick, M. Healy, K. LaForge, T. O’Grady, D. Pullen, F. Sinclair, C. Crandall

 

Others Present

M. Alger, L. Ballengee, G. Benson, S. Collins, P. Curran, J. Foels, L. Gridley, J. Hopkins, L. Kaminski, J. Margeson, T. Miner, B. Riehle, T. Ross, E. Ruckle, K. Toot, N. Ungermann, C. Whitwood

 

Media Present

D. Roorbach – Olean Times Herald

 

            Ways & Means Committee Chairman Theodore Hopkins called the meeting to order at 1 p.m.

 

Approval of Minutes

            The October 12, 20, and 25, 2010, Ways & Means Committee minutes were approved on a motion by Legislator Fanton, seconded by Legislator Pullen and carried.  

 

Tourist Promotion Agency

            Development Director John Foels requested a resolution authorizing the Planning and Economic Development Committee of the Allegany County Board of Legislators to act as Tourist Promotion Agency and to apply for state funds for tourism promotion purposes.  Mr. Foels explained that New York State requests that each county pass a resolution to accept a certain amount of money for tourism, and each county in our region (Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Chautauqua) will pass a similar resolution.  Typically Allegany County receives $50,000 to $75,000 per year, but last year we didn’t receive anything.  Legislator O’Grady expressed concern about having to match up to $213,000 as listed in the resolution.  County Treasurer Terri Ross indicated that the $213,000 represents the entire Tourism budget for 2011, and New York State wanted the entire allocation listed in the resolution.  The request was approved on a motion by Legislator Healy, seconded by Legislator Sinclair and carried.   Prepare Resolution

 

JARC/New Freedom Grant

            Allegany/Western Steuben Rural Health Network Executive Director Carrie Whitwood requested a resolution accepting and appropriating $250,000 in Job Access Reverse Commute (JARC)/New Freedom Grant funding for a two-year period.  Ms. Whitwood indicated that the grant was similar to previous years; however, they included the hiring of a Travel Trainer to meet with specific groups to assess services and needs, which was identified by the Task Force as a necessary component. Legislator Pullen asked if there is a penalty if we don’t continue the program for two years, and Ms. Whitwood indicated that they are reimbursed after the expense is incurred so there would not be any penalties.  A motion was made by Legislator Healy, seconded by Legislator Fanton and carried to accept the $250,000 and appropriate it to accounts designated by the County Treasurer.   Prepare Resolution

 

Contract with Rural Health Network

            Ms. Whitwood also requested a resolution to renew the County’s contract with the Allegany/Western Steuben Rural Health Network to carry out the objectives of the grant from September 1, 2010, through August 31, 2012.  County Administrator John Margeson indicated that the contract is the same as the old contract with the addition of several duties that he requested to be included on behalf of the County.  The request was approved on a motion by Legislator Sinclair, seconded by Legislator Healy and carried.   Prepare Resolution

 

REFERRALS FROM OTHER COMMITTEES:

 

Human Services Committee

            Public Health Director Lori Ballengee requested a resolution to accept and appropriate $500 from the employees and Auxiliary of Cuba Memorial Hospital to the Cancer Services Program.  This donation is being made to provide further services to cancer residents of Allegany County.  The $500 should be appropriated to A4071.409 (Cancer Services – Fees) with a like sum placed in revenue account A08.2705.01.  The request was approved on a motion by Legislator Burdick, seconded by Legislator Sinclair and carried.   Prepare Resolution

 

            Mrs. Ballengee also requested a resolution transferring $25,000 from A2960.421 (Special Education PHC – Contractual) to A4043.409 (Rabies Clinics – Contractual) to cover the cost of post-exposure shots provided by local hospitals to County residents deemed necessary due to exposure to a high-risk animal (bat, raccoon, stray animal) or dog bite.  There are approximately ten more individuals who require treatment, and the transfer will cover these expenses through the end of the year.  Legislator David Pullen asked if this action would end up making the Special Education account fall short, and Mrs. Ballengee indicated that it would not. The request was approved on a motion by Legislator Burdick, seconded by Legislator Fanton and carried.   Prepare Resolution

 

            Office for the Aging Director Kimberley Toot requested a resolution accepting and appropriating $5,000 from the Allegany Senior Foundation for Blizzard Boxes and a $5,500 increase from the Social Services Department for the 2010-2011 HEAP contract with the Office for the Aging to certify over age 60 HEAP applications.  The funds should be appropriated as follows:

 

            A6776.423 (OFA-Community Services for Elderly – Contractual)   $5,000

            Revenue Account A02.1972.09 (CSE)                                                                      $5,000

 

            A6777.474 (OFA – HEAP)                                                                 $5,500

            Revenue Account A09.2801.40 (HEAP)                                                                    $5,500

 

The request was approved on a motion by Legislator Burdick, seconded by Legislator Sinclair and carried.   Prepare Resolution

 

Mortgage Tax Apportionment

            Clerk of the Board Brenda Rigby Riehle reported that the mortgage tax figures for the period April 1, 2010, through September 30, 2010, were received and the apportionment to the towns and villages has been calculated.  Mrs. Riehle requested a resolution approving the apportionment of mortgage tax to the tax districts and authorizing the warrant.  The request was approved on a motion by Legislator Healy, seconded by Legislator Fanton and carried.   Prepare Resolution

 

Payment of Mortgage Tax Fees to Towns and Villages

(Collection of fees was authorized by Resolution No. 214-2004 pursuant to Section 262 of the Tax Law)

 

            Mrs. Riehle also requested a resolution authorizing the payment to the towns and villages of the Mortgage Tax fees retained by the County Clerk’s Office to cover the necessary expenses incurred for the period April 1, 2010, through September 30, 2010, in the administration of the Mortgage Tax Program.   The amount of $25,844.31 should be appropriated from A1410.432 (County Clerk – Contractual) and distributed to the towns and villages as summarized on the attached Memorandum of Explanation.  The request was approved on a motion by Legislator Healy, seconded by Legislator Fanton and carried.

 

Approval of Legislators’ Expense Vouchers

            The Committee reviewed the Legislative expense vouchers for the month of September 2010 as well as a few from the previous month.  A motion was made by Legislator O’Grady, seconded by Legislator Hopkins and carried to approve the vouchers for payment.

 

Audit

            Committee members reviewed the November 8, 2010, audit of claims in the amount of $4,684,223.40 (including prepaid bills).  A motion was made by Legislator Pullen, seconded by Legislator Fanton and carried to forward the audit to the full Board for approval of payment.

 

Adjournment

            There being no further business to come before the committee, a motion was made by Legislator Fanton, seconded by Legislator Healy and carried to adjourn the meeting at approximately 1:17 p.m.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Brenda Rigby Riehle, Clerk of the Board

Allegany County Board of Legislators