COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS

MINUTES

JANUARY 22, 1997

ATTENDANCE:

B & A MEMBERS: Wishnie, Swanson, Darcy, Young, LaMotte, Abinanti

OTHERS: C.E.’s Office: Gina Angiulo; CBAC: Barbara Strauss, George Hosey; County Clerk’s Office: Leonard Spano, Eugene Rogers; Budget: Joe Phelan, Arthur Vietro; Finance: Eric Langeloh, Kate Tooher, Thurston Hartford; BOL: Legislator Carsky, Robert J. Boland, Glenn Guzi, Tina Seckerson

Co-Chairs Swanson and Wishnie called the meeting to order at 3:05 p.m.

DISCUSSION: (There is a cassette tape on file for more detailed information):

13.* HON. RICHARD WISHNIE: Forwarding a letter from the County Clerk re: collection of fees. (1/6/97)

• Mr. Rogers explained that most of the fees that Westchester County collects for the services provided by the County Clerk’s Office have not been increased in over a decade. The revenue generated by these fees helps to offset the expenses incurred by the County Clerk’s Office in providing land and legal data. Since the fees charged by the Clerk’s Office have not kept pace with the increasing costs of providing these services the cost of operating the Clerk’s Office is increasingly falling on the taxpayer to make up the difference.
• In a few instances the fees have been increased substantially, but the portion retained by the County remains flat. Westchester’s neighboring counties in New York City have recently increased their rates to offset expenses. Mr. Spano stated that since Westchester is in many respects economically linked to New York City, Westchester should be afforded the same rights as New York City.
• Mr. Wishnie inquired as to whether this would be an appropriate item for the Legislation Committee to include in its Legislative packet. Mr. Wishnie requested the County Clerk provide the Committee with draft legislation which the Committee will forward to the Legislation Committee for consideration. Mr. Spano agreed.

1. HON. URSULA LA MOTTE: Forwarding a copy of a letter to the Chairman of the Board from the County Clerk requesting that the Board enact legislation to permit the County Clerk to issue personal identification cards for a fee. (10/21/96)

This item is being considered by the Committee on Legislation therefore:

On motion of Legislator LaMotte, seconded by Legislator Darcy, the motion to Receive and File this item was carried by a vote of 5-0. (Legislator Abinanti out for vote)

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Co-Chair Swanson stated that the Committee had intended to discuss the above referenced local laws, but since the Committee has not received a reply to its 12/19 memo this legislation will be discussed at a later date. Ms. Angiulo informed the Committee that a reply had been prepared and was awaiting signature which she would check on and provide to the Committee as soon as possible. In the meantime, Mr. Wishnie suggested that the Committee consider signing out the local law, for a public hearing, with regard to increased compensation for officer appointed for a fixed term at this time.

On motion of Legislator Darcy, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion to approve this legislation with regard to increased compensation for officer appointed for a fixed term was carried by a vote of 5-0. (Legislator Abinanti out for vote)

Ms. Angiulo returned with copies of the County Executive’s response.

4.* COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Proposed Act authorizing the issuance of $115,000,000 or as

much thereof as may be necessary, in Tax Anticipation Notes. (1/6/97)

On motion of Legislator Young, seconded by Legislator Wishnie, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 6-0.

• Commissioner Langeloh reviewed the 1996 actual cash flow schedule (on file) and explained the reason for a $19.5 million cash balance (as of 12/31/96).
• This balance was a result of the following:

1) $10 million correction labor contract settlement deferred until 1997

2) $22 million in state aid received in last part of December

3) $5 million additional sales tax receipts

• The Committee also discussed the projected $19 million savings in Social Service Relief.
• The Commissioner advised the Committee that monies not spent in social services would result in a decrease in federal aid which indicated a deficit of approximately $15 million as of 12/31/96.
• The Committee requested an analysis of the deficit of approximately $16 million in Service & Supplies. They also requested that the Medical Center be separately itemized on future reports. The Committee requested that Service & Supplies be broken out on future reports.
• A discussion of the 1997 projected cash flow indicated that the County will be required to issue RANS in December of 1997 in the amount of $25 million.
• A discussion was held regarding the necessity of borrowing $30 million from other funds and it was determined that this borrowing was necessary to enable the county to continue operating until the tax receipts are received in May, 1997.

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• The Committee noted that their approval of the issuance of TANS does not indicate an approval by the Committee of the 1997 cash flow schedule as presented by the Commissioner of Finance.

16. COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Acceptance of a gift of $10,000 from IBM for the training of their

two explosive detection dogs.

The Administration requested this item be received and filed as IBM is no longer engaged in this program and therefore no longer offering the gift.

On motion of Legislator Darcy, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion to Receive and File this item was carried by a vote of 4-0. (Legislators Swanson and Young out for vote)

MINUTES:

On motion of Legislator Abinanti, seconded by Legislator Darcy, the motion to approve the Minutes of January 13, 1997 was carried by a vote of 6-0.

There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Legislator LaMotte, seconded by Legislator Darcy, the meeting was adjourned at 5:00 p.m.