COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS

MINUTES

DECEMBER 3, 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)

• Standards of dispatching:

• NAPF: Performance based standard whereby 95% of all incoming calls must be answered within 30 seconds. 100% of the calls must be answered in 60 seconds.
• Insurance Stipulation Office: Hard number rating. In excess of 10,000 alarms per year have to have 3 dispatchers in the room and 2 additional within the facility.
• How are you meeting the minimum standards? Currently shooting for 1 supervisor and 3 dispatchers.
• Currently have 16 dispatchers and 5 supervisors. Need to increase that number to meet ISO standards.

• Emergency medical dispatch: Chief Groden stated that to make this work properly it is imperative to have adequate staff in the room. For 5 shifts need 25 dispatchers on staff.

• Average lead time for new recruits is a minimum of 6 months. In the past two years have had 2 new recruits.

• Overtime (1400): Due to shortage of personnel. Floaters: full-time staffers scheduled around other employees.

COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS

MINUTES – DECEMBER 3, 1998

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• Requested 18 dispatchers – Allowed 16. Have 5 vacancies and 2 out sick.
• Committee requested an analysis of going from 12 hour tours to 8 hour. County currently works a 7 hour day. An 8 hour tour will cost the county 7 hours regular pay and 1 hour overtime per employee.
• 70% of all fire services is EMS.
• Fuel recovery: estimated at $10,980
• What can be done to make the training facility available to private sector? Have to have appropriate staffing. Currently renting to Con Ed and commercial concerns for a rental fee. They have to hiring their own instructors.

• There was a discussion with regard to accessibility of the training facility to volunteer departments. They have to provide their own training instructors. Basically the facility is not available on the weekends. Rockland County has a training facility that has adequate staffing and support. Committee would like to see Rockland County’s budget for this facility.

• Asst. Fire Coordinator: Mrs. Swanson asked if this position could be used as an instructor. Chief Groden stated that it could be but hat was not the original intent of this position. He stated that the idea for this position was for back-up to him and lead person for Haz Mat team.

• Haz Mat Team: consists of 30 people, all health and safety professionals.
• Contractual Services (4380): $3000 volunteer fire, for physicals, $51,000 for maintenance of the CAD system (service contracts that have been in existence since the CAD was installed). The Committee requested a breakdown of the service contracts. Current CAD system is not Y2K compliant. Dr. Jacknis is addressing this matter with a view toward repairing software or purchasing new equipment. When CAD is not working use a back-up manual system.
• Supplies for Haz Mat team: General Supplies (3240): Committee requested a schedule
• E911: Mrs. Carsky requested an analysis of how much was taken in for 1997 & 1998; if there is a surplus and how it is being used. Budget Department will provide.
• Maintenance of grounds: There is a county contract for cleaning services inside the facility. May have to decrease days of cleaning to compensate for the increased square footage of expansion. Contract is included in Services by DPW (5280). Snow in public areas is removed by DPW as part of Grasslands complex. Sidewalks are done by the maintenance man. Have requested fund for replacement of equipment (snow blower, weed whacker, mower). Committee requested a schedule of requested equipment.

COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS

MINUTES – DECEMBER 3, 1998

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• E911: Mr.. Boland stated that according to the Charter the BOL must approve all disbursements. Committee requested that an opinion from the County Attorney be provided in writing. Mr. Ryan stated that the Public Safety Committee requested this information at the beginning of the year and has yet to receive a response.

• Services by Law (5325): Committee requested a breakdown

On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins, the motion to approve the Minutes of November 16, 23 and 24-1998 was carried by a vote of 8-0.

COMMITTEE TRANSFER:

• For transfers of funds between general classifications of accounts in DEF in the amount of $285,000. There are sufficient savings within the budget of DEF to make the transfer.

On motion of Legislator LaMotte, seconded by Legislator Carsky, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 8-0 with Legislator Swanson signing "Without Prejudice".

• Lawsuits/Settlements: 69 wins, 2 losses, 17 settlements for this year
• Committee requested a listing of departments that the Law Department does not bill.
• Currently the Law Department does not do any work for the IDA. The IDA is audited by BKS.
• There was a discussion with regard to the ability of departments to create accounts. Requested a legal opinion. There have been several differences in approved an appropriated amounts in several accounts (i.e. Travel & Meals; Educational Training; Contractual Services)

• Additional Equipment (2400): Requested: $135,145 Allowed: $10,145 Mr. Scheinkman explained that this is for the computerized docketing system. Additional funding will come from other sources. Committee suggested that they look more closely at grant opportunities.

COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS

MINUTES – DECEMBER 3, 1998

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• Gross Revenue: Committee requested a breakdown of charge offs to other departments.
• Mr. Scheinkman explained that they are not anticipating a Y2K problem although the Law Department’s computer technology is outdated. Currently they cannot communicate with the outside world.
• Litigation Bureau is made up of 20 people. Currently have 2,000 pending matters including federal court matters as well as policy matters.
• Family Court: 1,800 matters with only 20 people and an ever exploding caseload.
• The Law Department Budget consists mainly of people.

There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Legislator Abinanti, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the meeting was adjourned at 12:35 p.m.