WAYS & MEANS COMMITTEE
MAY 16, 2012

** NOT APPROVED **

---

Committee Members Present: T. Hopkins, D. Fanton, D. Burdick, D. Healy, K. LaForge, T. O’Grady, D. Pullen, F. Sinclair, C. Crandall

Others Present: M. Alger, J. Margeson, T. Miner, T. Ross, E. Ruckle, C. Santora, K. Toot, R. Whitney

Media Present: B. Quinn, Wellsville Daily Reporter

Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 1:29 p.m. by Ways & Means Committee Chairman T. Hopkins.

Draft Results of Tax Sale
County Treasurer Terri Ross distributed a draft of the results of the recent tax sale. She indicated that 80 parcels were brought to the sale, and each received a bid. There were 170 registered bidders and approximately 300 people at the sale. The number one bidders have until Friday, May 18, 2012, to pay for their properties. Failing that, the number two bidders will have until June 1, 2012, to purchase the property. She indicated that the sale had afforded the County more in bids than it was owed in taxes. Ms. Ross indicated she would distribute the final sale results at the June 11 Ways & Means Committee meeting. She also noted that about 50 percent of the properties had been paid to date. Chairman Crandall commended Ms. Ross on her handling of the sales over the past six years.

Treasurer’s Office Fee Structure Review
County Treasurer Ross also distributed a rough draft of a proposal to raise certain fees charged by her office, noting that the rates had been steady since 1983: photocopies from $ .25 per page to $1 per page; tax status reports from no cost to $2; and certified tax searches from $1 per year (five-year minimum) to $20 for five years ($5 per year after 5). Fax fees would remain at $3. Another issue to consider would be tax search fees which are currently at $150. Ms. Ross also indicated she and County Attorney Tom Miner are researching whether there are any legalities prohibiting raising those fees. Legislator Hopkins received consensus from the Committee that the fees need to be adjusted and invited Ms. Ross back with a solid proposal.

REFERRALS FROM OTHER COMMITTEES:

HUMAN SERVICES

Office for the Aging Request to Fill Bolivar Luncheon Center Manager Position
Office for the Aging Director Kimberley Toot requested approval to fill the position of Bolivar Luncheon Center Manager, following the incumbent’s resignation. She stated that the annual salary for the position is approximately $4,600, and they will be saving about $2,000 by hiring someone new. The position is funded 38 percent with Older American Act federal dollars, 37 percent with local County dollars, and 25 percent from participant contributions. The Bolivar Luncheon Center operates three days a week from 10 to 2, and the Center would have to close if the position is not filled. The request was approved on a motion by Legislator Burdick, seconded by Legislator Fanton, and carried. Notify Human Resources

Health Department Request for Approval of SEIT Contracts
Health Department Director Lori Ballengee forwarded a request to approve the SEIT (Special Education Itinerant Teacher) contracts which come up for renewal annually. The agreement with Cattaraugus-Allegany BOCES provides special education services for preschoolers with disabilities. This is an annual renewal of an existing agreement. Reimbursement for services provided will be made at the rates approved by the New York State Education Department. Costs are split 59.5 percent state and 40.5 percent County contribution. The request was approved on a motion by Legislator Burdick, seconded by Legislator Healy, and carried. Prepare Resolution

PUBLIC SAFETY

Sheriff’s Office Request to Transfer Funds
Sheriff Whitney requested a resolution to transfer $7,000 from A3112.403 (E-911 Dispatch-Maintenance Contract Office Machines) to A3020.427 (Public Safety Communication-Electricity) $3,800, A3020.428 (Public Safety Communication-Natural Gas) $2,000, and A3020.414 (Public Safety Communication-Rentals Real Property) $1,200, indicating that $7,000 had been budgeted for the annual maintenance of the current CAD (Computer-Aided Dispatch) software. As the Office anticipates the purchase of a new CAD system, it is no longer feasible to pay the annual maintenance. The money will be transferred to the radio system tower accounts. The request was approved on a motion by Legislator Healy, seconded by Legislator Fanton, and carried. Prepare Resolution

Good of the Order
Chairman Crandall revisited a resolution tabled at the May 14, 2012, Board meeting which allowed for increasing the threshold on the purchase of goods, services, and equipment from $10,000 to $20,000, and on Public Works contracts from $20,000 to $35,000. He noted that it seemed straightforward at the time, but the amendment stating that professional services would not be exempt as it had been in the past should be further investigated. Chairman Crandall said he was glad the resolution had been tabled because he wanted more clarification on the ramifications of the amended resolution. Mr. Crandall indicated that he would like additional information from the County Attorney and the County Administrator brought back to the Ways & Means Committee before the Board moves forward with the resolution. Legislator O’Grady noted that it might be wise to have an “escape clause” in the resolution allowing for override by a two-thirds vote or something similar. Legislator Fanton noted that he was concerned about legislation that might tie the Board’s hands, saying that this Board is smart enough to seek a variety of bids for the good of the County. Legislator O’Grady also noted that this may be true of the current Board, but any legislation would apply to future Boards as well. Legislator Hopkins reiterated Chairman Crandall’s desire to have the County Attorney and County Administrator come back to the Committee next month with additional information.

Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the committee, the meeting was adjourned at 1:58 p.m. on a motion by Legislator Fanton, seconded by Legislator LaForge, and carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Cynthia Santora, Secretary to the Clerk of the Board

Allegany County Board of Legislators