COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS

MINUTES

MAY 10, 1999

ATTENDANCE:

B & A MEMBERS: Wishnie, Abinanti, Carsky, Kaplowitz, LaMotte, Mosiello,

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

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

On motion of Legislator Carsky, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the motion to approve the Minutes of May 3, 1999 was carried by a vote of 4-0. (Legislators Stewart-Cousins, Young, LaMotte, and Abinanti out for vote)

9. Authority to enter into a Lease Agreement with Reckson Operating Partnership, L.P., 660 White Plains Road, Tarrytown, New York 10591 for 19,935 square feet of space at 140 Grand Street, White Plains, New York 10601, for a period of five years, September 1,1999 through August 31, 2004, at a base rent if $478,440 for the first year of the agreement.

• This matter was put over at last week’s A&C meeting and Mr. Carrera was in to explain it to the Committee.
• Mr. Carrera explained that the 19,935 square feet of space encompasses 17,800 square feet on the 6^th floor for the courts and 2,135 square feet on the 9^th floor for the Public Administrator.

COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS

MINUTES – MAY 10, 1999

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• Current lease expires on August 31, 1999.

• The base rent is calculated by multiplying $24.00 per square foot by 19,935 square feet plus operating and electricity.
• There is a 3% yearly increase in rent plus a cancellation clause in the lease.
• Mr. Carrera stated that he wanted the cancellation clause in this lease because the 6^th & 9^th floors of 140 Grand will be moving to the Courthouse tower by the Year 2003.
• The County will have a one-time opportunity to cancel the lease effective August 31, 2003, so the decision must be made final by August 2002 in order to meet the one year notice requirement.

6. Resolution authorizing the County of Westchester to enter into a Lease Agreement with the Children’s Village, Inc. for the provision of shelter facilities for Runaway and Homeless Youths at the Valhalla Residence located at the County’s Valhalla Campus for the period commencing June 1, 1999 through the commencement of a separate long term lease, but no longer than five (5) years plus one five (5) year County option to renew.

• This matter was put over at last week’s A&C meeting and Ms. Boyer was in to explain it to the Committee.
• Over the past several years Children’s Village has been operating a runaway and homeless youth shelter at St. Vincent’s Hospital. The lease is due to end on June 30, 1999.
• The Resolution seeks authority for the County to enter into a lease agreement for an interim period with Children’s Village for the Valhalla Residence located at the County’s Valhalla Campus.
• It is anticipated that relocation of Children’s Village to the Valhalla Residence will only be for a period of time long enough for Children’s Village to build a new shelter at another location on the Valhalla Campus next door to the Valhalla Residence.
• The new shelter will be built by Children’s Village pursuant to a long term lease and will be a larger facility that will accommodate at least 10 youngsters.

COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS

MINUTES – MAY 10, 1999

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• As of the 1^st quarter of 1999 we are projecting a minimum surplus of Bottom line for the first quarter is $4,199,622 for the year 1999.
• Retirement: savings of $1 million
• On expense side of budget savings of about $6 million gross.
• Sales Tax Receipts $40,000 higher in 1997 than 1998. In 1997 there was an asset division of a corporation that was taxable and generated $4 million in sales tax revenue. In 1998 another corporation had applied for retro-active adjustment on sales tax payments. State decided they did overpay. Corporation decided to defer it and take it as sales tax credits for 1998. Sales tax growth from 1997 to 1998 was 2 ½%. 1999 sales tax receipts for January and February were flat but were up a little for March. At this point it looks like April’s receipts are up again. Trend right now seems to be around $218 million.
• Sales tax collected in 1997 was $213.5 million; $213,540,000 in 1998 and is anticipated to be $218 million for 1999.
• Ms. Tooher stated that the County is very conservative when estimating sales tax revenue.
• Savings on salary accounts due to slow down in hirings.
• DOT: -$1.5 million due to assumption of Governor’s hit on operating assistance.
• End of 1998 surplus of $20 million yet projection for 1999 surplus is $4.2 million. When asked how the shortfall will be made up Ms. Tooher reminded the Committee that this is just a 1^st Quarter Projection and a lot will depend on the State Budget. Ms. Tooher stated that they have been advised that for 1999 there is nothing planned to backfill the loss of food stamp assistance. Nothing has been implemented yet.
• County Clerk’s Office: may need additional appropriation into hourly or overtime accounts due to booming business.
• 3 year projection: will be available shortly

• Ms. Tooher stated that there is an RFP in process for a budget system to allow for the ability of the Budget Department to do a 3 year forecast as well as other functions that are currently contracted out.

• There was a discussion of the proposed tobacco settlement.

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MINUTES – MAY 10, 1999

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• DSS: Caseloads are continuing to come down. Spending more to get people off the system on matters such as job training, education and daycare.
• Homeless population: For singles the bulk of the cost falls to the County. For families the cost is mainly federal and state.
• Mr. Abinanti requested an analysis of the cost impact of the Coachman. Mr. Boland reported that according to the homeless report Greenburgh has 10 homeless shelter units empty while the Coachman has 11 units vacant and there are 66 units empty throughout the County. The Committee questioned why the County is using motels to house homeless when there are empty units in these facilities. Ms. Tooher will look into the matter. Mr. Boland requested a schedule reconciling the 1^st quarter of 1998 with the first quarter of 1999 with regard to the homeless report. Budget will provide. The Committee will meet with the Commissioner of DSS at a future date to discuss these matters in more detail.

• Committee reviewed the May 13, 1999 A&C Calendar.
• Procurement Policy: Ms. Tooher and Mr. Randolph report that the Law Department is working on revamping the County’s Procurement Policy. Ms. Tooher will find out the timeline on this matter.

There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Young, the meeting was adjourned at 11:20 a.m.