COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS

MINUTES

DECEMBER 2, 1998

ATTENDANCE:

Chairman Wishnie called the meeting to order at 9:45 a.m.

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

• Concern was expressed by the Committee regarding the five positions put into the Public Safety budget for police officers by the BOL that were never filled.
• Committee requested a breakdown of the trust & grants positions.
• Parkway Patrol Budget was a trust account in 1998 and are now put into the operating budget. Committee requested a breakdown of this account.
• Tax levy associated with Parkway Patrol is $300,000.

• Taxi & Limousine Commission: When asked for state of all livery plates state provided a number of 30,000 – 40,000. When they received the actual readout it was much lower and therefore affected the revenues. Used very conservative figures for 1999. Ms. Tooher explained that revenue from TLC goes into the General Fund and is recorded as a revenue positive to the Department of Public Safety. Revenue exceeds the expenses for the TLC. The additional revenue will assist to offset the tax levy for the Department of Public Safety. The cost of the TLC is $275,000. The TLC has currently brought in $300,000 for 1998.
• Homeless Facilities Patrols Per Week: went from 35 to 21 due to a decrease in tours from 3 per day to 2 per day. Funding from DSS was cut back and in response the tour was cut. Cost of 2 tours per day is $700,000. Committee requested a cost of the 3 tours per day for last year.

COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS

MINUTES – DECEMBER 2, 1998

PAGE 2

• Position Count for police officers: 3 police officer lines became vacant after promotions were made and are being eliminated from next year’s budget.
• Committee questioned the 5 police officers that were added into the 1998 budget by the BOL. The Budget Department responded that the positions were actually added into the 1997 budget.
• Services by County Road Maintenance (5315): $9,676 Previously was part of the (5280) Services by DPW account.
• Office of Disaster and Emergency Services: Services by DPW (5280): share of operating expenses for the building.

• STOP-DWI Program Trust Account: 4 positions. Funding for educational and enforcement purposes.
• Initiative states that the Training Academy will expand course offerings to include domestic violence, cultural awareness and diversity. Courses are mandatory for County Police and offered to locals.
• Overtime: Bulk of increase due to inclusion of police patrols at County Center. Public Safety charges PRC who bills the vendors for Police presence at the County Center. A large portion is also due to holiday pay.

• Supervisor Globerman brought up the issue of illegal hunting in County parks. He stated that tree stands have been seen. The Commissioner stated that this is the first he has heard of the tree stands and will confer with Commissioner DeSantis. County police have received reports and are trying to curtail the problem. Mr. Wishnie asked if the helicopter could be used to assist in this matter. The Commissioner stated that it might be useful. Commissioner requested the cost of helicopter. The Commissioner stated that it is paid for out of ODES funds and he will check on the actual number.
• Mr. Ryan stated that he would like to see a schedule of the police patrol level from 1996 to current.
• Bronx River Parkway patrol: Mrs. Carsky stated that perhaps it is time to pursue methods other than patrol to control the number of accidents, lawsuits and ultimately settlements.
• Mr. Ryan asked if a system of appropriating one lump sum rather than charge backs to fund sufficient personnel to cover needs has been considered. Ms. Tooher explained that if charge backs were eliminated we would not be entitled to certain reimbursements. There needs to be a uniform charge back methodology.
• The Committee asked about the possibility of County police patrol in the Town of Cortlandt. Discussions have not yet been concluded.

COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS

MINUTES – DECEMBER 2, 1998

PAGE 3

• Position Count: from 93 in 1998, Requested 104 in 1999 and allowed 102 for 1999: Dr. Hyland stated that 8 are transfers from trusts and two are allowed from last year. In need of more help for forensic science. 6 of the 8 transfers are in the environmental area.
• Committee requested a list of all trust accounts.
• Revenues: Committee requested a breakdown of the $400,000 additional revenue.
• Mr. Kaplowitz asked if in light of the recent bonding legislation approved by the Board for updated equipment for Labs & Research the revenues should be higher. Ms. Tooher stated that Labs & Research is not supposed to be a profit making entity. Mr. McGimpsey stated that the bonding is for equipment replacement to keep them up to date not necessarily to produce revenue.
• The Committee decided to set up a site visit to the Labs & Research facility in order to better understand how it works and see how it fits into the County’s overall operations.

There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Legislator Swanson, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the meeting was 11:15 a.m.