COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS

MINUTES

APRIL 27, 1998

ATTENDANCE:

B & A MEMBERS: Wishnie, Abinanti, Carsky, Kaplowitz, LaMotte, Mosiello, Stewart-Cousins, Young

OTHERS: C.E.’s Office: Bill Randolph; Law Department: Stacey Dolgin-Kmetz, Tom Gardiner; Budget Dept: Kate Tooher, Leslie Bennett; CBAC: Barbara Strauss; Yorktown: Supervisor Cooper, Councilman Bianco; BOL: Legislator Oros, Robert J. Boland, Tina Seckerson

Chairman Wishnie called the meeting to order at 10:17 a.m.

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

MINUTES: On motion of Legislator Carsky, seconded by Legislator Young, the motion to approve the Minutes of April 20, 1998, was carried by a vote of 9-0.

• Have held 2 public hearings on this matter.
• The legislation will amend Administrative Code re: segmentation rate.
• An issue brought up in the second public hearing that was not mentioned in the first public hearing is a question of whether this potential legislation is unconstitutional. Ms. Dolgin-Kmetz stated that this law will survive any equal protection challenge.

(II, 4) HON. MICHAEL KAPLOWITZ: Segmentation Rate - Lakeland School District: Forwarding a report dealing with the tax segmentation rate which he believes is improperly applied in the Lakeland School District. (1/5/98)

On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Young, the motion to Receive & File this item was carried by a vote of 9-0.

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MINUTES - APRIL 27, 1998

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(IV,1) Segmentation Rate: Local Law Intro. 3-1998: To require that, in the case of a school district lying in more than (1) town, any special equalization rate

computed by the New York State Board of Real Property Services for the segment of a town located within such school district shall be used to ascertain the full value of the real property located in such segment. (3/23/98)

On motion of Legislator Mosiello, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion to Receive and File this item was carried by a vote of 9-0.

(IV, 2)Segmentation Rate: Local Law Intro. 9-1998: To require that, in the case

On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Carsky, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 9-0.

(16.) HON. GEORGE OROS: Segmented Equalization Rate: Forwarding a

On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Carsky, the motion to Receive and File this item was carried by a vote of 9-0.

• Mr. Boland stated his concerns with the Budget Transfers:

1. Some transfers are extremely large. The amount of these transfers would wipe out the 1997 predicted surplus of $10 million.
2. The effect of WCMC on the transfers is unknown.
3. Will there actually be a surplus?

• Ms. Tooher stated that although they originally estimated the surplus to be $10 million the exact amount is unknown and they now anticipate the surplus to be better than last year’s $16 million.

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MINUTES - APRIL 27, 1998

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• Ms. Bennett stated that it is important for the Committee to know that the transfers are covering expenses that have already been booked, not using surplus.
• The Committee questioned the Budget Director regarding the amount in the 1998 Budget for labor contract settlements. We have approximately 3% allocated to these settlements. When questioned as to which year these funds would be applied to the Budget Director responded that it would depend upon the contract settlement. If the settlement was retroactive to 1997, there would be a liability for 1997 and the compounding impact for 1998. If a settlement was retro to 1997 we would have a liability for the Medical Center personnel.
• A brief discussion ensued regarding the necessity of transferring $6,931,000 to the retirement account. The Budget Director advised the Committee that the previous Administration had elected to fund the early retirement pension liability in installments. The present administration has decided to pay this liability in a lump sum amount for 1997.
• The Committee then reviewed the Sewer and Water District transfers. Questions were raised regarding the revenue source for Water District #3. This district is funded from user fees instead of property taxes. Presently we are paying higher water rates to New York City but have challenged these higher rates.
• The Committee will continue discussion of these transfers at our next meeting on May 4th.

11.* COUNTY EXECUTIVE: Croton River Bridge: Proposed Legislation authorizing the County to enter into IMA’s with the City of New York and Towns of Somers and North Salem for the construction of a pedestrian bridge to span the Croton River. (4/20/98) (Also referred to PW)

This has been in the works and will help alleviate a very dangerous situation at no cost to the County.

On motion of Legislator LaMotte, seconded by Legislator Carsky, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 9-0.

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Mr. Boland reviewed the April 23rd A & C Calendar with the Committee.

He noted that Item #17 with regard to the leasing of a ride at Playland was put over to the April 30^th Calendar. The monies for 1998 were set up as part of a Trust Account which the Board felt should be in the Operating Budget.

There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Legislator Carsky, seconded by Legislator Abinanti, the meeting was adjourned at 12:20 p.m.