COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS

MINUTES

FEBRUARY 8, 1999

ATTENDANCE:

Chairman Wishnie called the meeting to order at 10:20 a.m.

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

On motion of Legislator Carsky, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion to approve the Minutes of February 1, 1999 was carried by a vote of 7-0. (Legislators Abinanti and Kaplowitz out for vote)

Referencing an article in today’s Journal News with regard to job training funding, Mr. Mosiello requested a breakdown of costs of this operation. The Budget Department will provide.

• Ms. McCarthy, Assessor of Rye, stated that prior to 1997 old information was used in determining rates. The new methodology uses sales as a basis. Rye experienced a 19% change in equalization. The drop indicated an increase in property values.
• While the rates are still 3 years old, they are using the methodology of sales.
• In 1996, 25 out of 25 municipalities challenged the rate. In 1998, 7 of the 25 municipalities challenged the rate.

• The differences in rates in the communities are affected by change in the methodology as well as any challenges by municipalities regarding the level of the equalization rate.

• Ms. Iacomini explained that the municipalities can challenge the rate at two different times in the process. The first is when the tentative rate comes down from the state. The municipal assessor can request a hearing with the state before the final rate is determined. After the final rates have been determined, the municipality can file an Article 78, which is then heard by the court.
• Sal D’Onfrio, Town of Cortlandt Assessor, stated that Cortlandt filed an Article 78 which was settled before going to court. The Committee requested a copy of the final court order.
• Bob Killeen, Assessor from Yorktown, stated that in the early 1980’s, the Town of New Castle phased in an Article 78 settlement over 5 years and then went to full value. Mr. Latimer suggested the Committee focus on discussing where there is an option to phase in and who makes the decision.
• Mr. D’ Onfrio stated that the Office of Real Property Services (ORPS) wants the county to revalue and is throwing as many wrenches into the pot as possible.
• Certioraris cut values but under-valued properties are not affected.
• School districts are greatly impacted by the equalization rate.
• Revaluation goes by selling prices within neighborhoods. It is a statistical analysis of what is going on in a community. The Committee questioned whether the local assessors, which are under-staffed, will be able to update the information after revaluation takes place.
• Mr. Latimer expressed concern that there is no mechanism to raise the value of commercial property therefore municipalities that are predominantly residential are hurt by this methodology. Ms. McCarthy stated that the state is still doing appraisals on commercial property.
• Mr. Latimer stated that for future discussion he would like to discuss whether or not the County has any standing in any legal action relating to this as well as County rates vs. State rates.
• Committee will meet at a future date with representatives of school districts as well as a representative of ORPS. Ms. McCarthy suggested that representatives of the Municipal Officials Association should be included in the discussion.

COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS

MINUTES – FEBRUARY 8, 1999

PAGE 3

• Mrs. Carsky asked if anything is happening at the Governor’s level to bring the effective parties around the table to discuss reval? Mr. Oros stated that he has spoken with the Governor on this and his position is that this type of reform must come from the local level up. Ms. McCarthy stated that perhaps the statewide bill (Article 19) with regard to reval could be looked at again rather than starting from scratch again.
• Mr. Oros reminded the Committee that any local government can go out and do reval on their own.

• Transfer in the amount of $23,300.

On motion of Legislator Young, seconded by Legislator Carsky, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 8-0. (Legislator Latimer out for vote)

• This legislation was signed out by PSCJ today.
• The term of the IMA is February 1, 1999 through January 31, 2002.
• The Town has arranged for the New York State Police to provide primary police coverage for the Town and has requested that the County provide supplemental policing services to the Town.
• Under the terms of the proposed IMA, the County shall lease from the Town a portion of its existing police headquarters.
• The County, through the County Department of Public Safety, intends to use the space as a Northern Police Command. In consideration of such lease the County will pay the Town $15,000 per year.

COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS

MINUTES – FEBRUARY 8, 1999

PAGE 4

• The Department of Public Safety shall provide, on a daily basis, a single 8 hour car tour for the purpose of providing supplemental emergency response. In consideration of these services, the Town shall pay the County $150,000 per year and shall also convey to the County title to its new 1998 police vehicle. In addition, the Department shall provide a police officer to participate in the local DARE Program. The Town agrees to pay the County an additional $50 per hour for the officer’s time.
• The County will consider hiring up to 5 individuals who were Town police officers as of December 31, 1998. The hirings are subject to Civil Service Law and background investigation. If the County hires any of these individuals, the Department would add an additional daily 8 hour car tour and the Town would pay the County an additional $215,000 per year. The Town also agrees to be financially responsible for all amounts due and owing its former police officers for any pension, health or other benefits due to such former officers under 207C. The Town shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless the County against liability arising out of the hiring, or failure to hire any of the Town’s former officers.

• Mrs. LaMotte asked if this is revenue neutral for the County. Mr. Wishnie stated that it is.
• The Committee briefly discussed liability issues.
• Mr. Oros stated that a 24 hour police presence will not be provided by County police. It will also provide these police officers with a place to park their cars, hang their hats, do paperwork and use state-of-the-art equipment rather than having to travel back to Hawthorne.

On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Young, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 8-0 with Legislators Mosiello, Carsky and LaMotte signing "Without Prejudice" and Legislator Latimer out for vote.

Item 3: An agreement with Dr. Sal Prezioso for consultant services. Mr. Boland asked if this item supersedes the item on the B&A agenda with regard to compensation for Dr. Prezioso and if the Administration will be withdrawing it. Ms. Tooher will check and get back to the Committee.

Mrs. Carsky inquired as to how many FTE’s there are currently on the payroll. Ms. Tooher will check and get back to the Committee.

COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS

MINUTES – FEBRUARY 8, 1999

PAGE 5

There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Legislator Abinanti, seconded by Legislator Carsky, the meeting was adjourned at 12:10 p.m.