MINUTES
OTHERS: Budget Dept.: Kate Carrano, Arthur Vietro, Meredith Waltman; CBAC: George Hosey; C.E.’s Office: Jay Hashmall, Bill Randolph, Robin Schlaff, Ingrid Bent, Larry Schwartz; IT: Norm Jacknis, Allen Elliott, Michael Odestick, Stuart Wadler, Kay Foster; Dept. of Emergency Services: Henry Campbell; LWV: Jo Brill; BKS: Daniel Worrell; BOL: Legislator Ryan, Barbara Dodds, Sally Schecter, Robert Boland, Chris Chang, Tina Seckerson
Chairman Wishnie called the meeting to order at 9:06 a.m.
DISCUSSION: (There is a cassette tape on file for more detailed information)
2000 PROPOSED BUDGET: DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY SERVICES:
· Deputy position went from a Grade XIIII to a Grade XVII. Mr. Hashmall stated that it was raised to remain consistent with the rest of the County Departments whereby the Deputy position is either a Grade XVII or a Grade XVIII.
· Chief of Communications: added one position (one for operations and one for administration). There will be four staffed operation divisions: ODES, Training, Communications and EMS. There will be three other functions within the department that will not be operated as divisions (i.e. HazMat area which is currently staffed with volunteers).
· Net Annual Regular (1010): $500,000 increase in personal services from 1999 to 2000.
· Water (3180): from $3,500 in 1999 (Fire Services) to $38,000: Mr. Hashmall stated that NYC raised their rates. Budget Department will double check the figure.
· Technical Services (4420): Contractual services with the two Fire Departments (Valhalla & Thornwood)
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· Data Processing (5260): $300,000 increase due to the combination of the divisions that have merged. Including CAD charges and network charges.
· EMD (Enhanced Medical Dispatch) is probably six months away from being up and running. Added two or three positions to handle EMD. Have to have an initial training session for everyone to be certified then there will be annual training sessions.
· E911 is in the IT budget
· Section 708: ODES trust that comes into this department now.
· 5 trust account positions are the ODES positions.
· 38 position last year, 50 positions this year The 11 new positions are: (1) Commissioner of Emergency Services; (2) Deputy Commissioners of Emergency Services; (1) Executive Secretary to Commissioner; (1) Program Specialist; (1) Payroll Clerk; (3) Fire Mutual Aid Coordinators; and (2) Emergency Medical Services Mutual Aid Coordinators.
· Educational & Training Programs for local communities: The budget allows for the physical and manual pieces which began in May. Technical needs will have to be addressed.
· Delivery of EMD services: Are there currently any plans to provide for separate space for these services to be performed? This is an are they are looking at.
· Request for back-up for Contractual and Technical Services.
2000 PROPOSED BUDGET: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT):
· Position Count: 9 positions being transferred in from DOT, 5 being abolished due to the elimination of the Print Shop (will be offered position elsewhere in the County), adding 1 Senior Maintenance Mechanic.
· Tax Levy increase (from $4,347,849 to $7,320,394) is due to debt service.
· Net Annual Regular (1010): In 1998 there were 286 employees and the cost was $9,940,216 and in 2000 there will be 172 employees at a cost of $9,268,874. The difference is attributed to the fact that in 1998 there was no contract settlement and dietary workers were paid less than technical people. Budget Department will go over salary schedule with Mr. Boland.
· Communications (4140): Increase of $600,000 due to upgrade data lines between locations. Will get back to Committee with amount of new lines to be installed in 2000
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES – NOVEMBER 16, 1999
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· Equipment Service & Rental (4070): Decrease due to taking out telephone services and putting them into technical services and the remainder of the ComDisco lease.
· Contractual Services (4380): Included a $2.8 million payment in 1998 to IBM which is now finished.
· Committee requested a breakdown of rolls and transfers by departments and account.
· Estimated total cost of Y2K compliance: $14 million (have also been bringing in new software)
· Buildings & Space (5220): lease expired at Skyline Drive in October, 1999 which explains why the charges are down. Working on reducing space needs.
· Svces by Dept. of Public Works: (5280): for heating, air conditioning and power
· Committee requested list of data processing charges to all departments
· Not yet billing out debt service – need to track bond issues with departments that got benefits
· Revenues: In 1998 was $8 million and in 2000 $5.9 million. Mrs. Carrano explained that in 1998 the number reflected the entire department of General Services.
· Purchase of Equipment (2300) & (2400): If the County continued with the present method of financing what would the figure be? Budget Department will calculate the number.
· Interest on bonds (4463): 1999: $824,465 2000: $1,289,181: This is for interest on bonds reflecting current debt service on past capital projects (i.e. Y2K, Workforce Automation). The acquisition of hardware and software occurred in 1999.
· Imaging: getting rid of paper and rental space and more digital imaging. Dr. Jacknis stated that it is happening. He would like to eliminate the paper altogether with workflow, re-engineering initiative department by department. There was a discussion with regard to transmitting more information to the BOL from the Administration electronically.
· Data Center Highlights:
Ø Decommission the IBM mainframe in February and the Unisys mainframe later in the year.
Ø Complete network re-design and upgrade.
Ø Deploy back-up system for desktops and servers.
Ø Deploy central monitoring system.
Ø Start a small scale off-site disaster recovery center.
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES – NOVEMBER 16, 1999
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· Fleet Management (5160): Charges to the department from DPW. (Fleet Management is now under DPW)
· The Budget Department’s current computer system is under the ComDisco lease and is not Y2K compliant. Under the new system, BOL analyst will have access to the new Budget computer system beginning next year.
Mr. Wishnie requested that the Administration provide the Legislators with necessary documents from each department in advance of their appearance before the Budget Committee. The BOL has requested the reports three days in advance.
Mrs. Swanson stated that she feels strongly that the Commissioners should know their budgets and the information should not have to go through the Administration and Budget Department before coming to the BOL.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Legislator LaMotte, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins, the meeting was adjourned at 11:15 a.m.