MINUTES
OTHERS: Budget Dept.: Kate Carrano, Leslie Bennett, Arthur Vietro, Brian Fitzpatrick; CBAC: George Hosey, Barbara Strauss, Fran MacEachron; Personnel Dept.: Ed Brancati; C.E.’s Office: Bill Randolph, Robin Schlaff, Ingrid Bent, Larry Schwartz; Law Dept.: Alan Scheinkman, Rick Cashman; LWV: Jo Brill; CSEA: Jane Fiore, Jerry Irizarri; Legal Aid Society: Stephen Pittari, John Ryan; Westchester Children’s Assoc.: Cora Greenberg; Finance Dept.: Peter Pucillo, Phil Speziale; BOL: Barbara Dodds, Chris Chang, Sally Schecter, Robert Boland, Tina Seckerson
Chairman Wishnie called the meeting to order at 9:20 a.m.
DISCUSSION: (There is a cassette tape on file for more detailed information)
MINUTES:
On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Carsky, the motion to approve the Minutes of November 18, 1999 and November 19, 1999 was carried by a vote of 7-0.
PAY PLAN AMENDMENT:
· This pay plan amendment affects both the Solid Waste Commission and the Department of Emergency Services.
· Department of Emergency Services: Takes existing titles and creates new titles consistent with creation of the new department.
· Solid Waste Commission: takes into account scope of new commission and duties.
· Executive Director of Solid Waste Licensing: Grade XIX: This is a new title. Other executive director positions range from Grade XVI to Grade XVIII. This one is higher due to the anticipated scope of the position.
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES – NOVEMBER 22, 1999
PAGE 2
On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Carsky, the motion to approve the pay plan amendment was carried by a vote of 7-0 with Legislators Carsky and LaMotte signing “Without Prejudice”.
2000 PROPOSED BUDGET: BUDGET DEPARTMENT:
· Mrs. Carrano stated that they are in the process of getting rid of a free-standing budget compilation computer program. Went through an extensive research and RFP process for a new system that is Y2K compliant and provide the tools to do long range forecasting and collect budgetary data across departmental lines to enable them to produce a Program Budget Supplement to the annual Operating Budget. They have selected Hyperian Software. This system is used by the City of Boston, the MTA and Avon in Westchester. This system will aid in reducing paper as each department will be able to load information into the computer and the program will be able to compile the information more efficiently. Will this be able to reduce the amount of work contracted out to auditors? Mrs. Carrano stated that long-term it is her hope that the system will give them more flexibility to update the forecasting and thereby eliminate the need to go outside for certain services.
· Mr. Young asked if any financial controls with regard to arbitrage have been put into place. Mrs. Carrano explained that after the first of the year the Budget and Finance Departments will be putting a team together to outline procedures thereby putting the proper administrative controls into place.
· Overtime charges: Mrs. Carrano explained that this is for support staff from September to year end and then again in February or March. They do expect this number to go down with the new computer program which will aid greatly in the conversion of documents.
· Risk Management: Actuarial forecasting and contract have remained in the Budget Department, the rest has moved to the Law Department.
2000 PROPOSED BUDGET: MISCELLANEOUS BUDGET:
· Committee will arrange for a meeting with the Administration to explain the arts and cultural affairs portion of the budget.
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES – NOVEMBER 22, 1999
PAGE 3
· Public Utility Service Agency (2110): Increase directly related to a commitment by the County Executive and the County Attorney to become expert in deregulation and assist all municipalities in this area.
· Year 2000 (2195): for continuation of services by Dr. Prezioso. Committee suggested that it should read “Westchester 2000”.
· Westchester County Extension Service: Funds a contract with the Cornell Cooperative Extension Services of Westchester and includes a position requested for pest management.
· Unemployment Insurance (2005): As required by law, supports expenses associated with unemployment.
· Certiorari Proceedings (2020): coming down a little.
· Legal Aid Society (2085): Mr. Scheinkman explained that the $5.9 million appropriated for 1999 was renegotiated with the Legal Aid Society at the request of the County Executive. They reached an agreement mid-year to pay them $5,500,000 for a savings of 5% or $300,000 (due to the retirement of 2 clerical workers). Discussions are not yet completed. Mr. Pittari of the Legal Aid Society stated that the $5.6 million is not an accurate figure of what they had to spend. He further stated that they cannot make it on the $5.5 million. Part of his $6.3 million request is to make up his fund balance (reserves for vacations) that he used to pay salaries. Mr. Scheinkman stated that the Administration feels that the negotiated figure for last year was fair and the County is committed to the same figure for this year. He further stated that in discussions with Mr. Pittari he stated that if they find this figure is found not to be practicable they will work with them. Mr. Abinanti stated that the DA’s office is looking at a 15% increase this year which would assume that there will be more legal cases handled which would mean the caseload for the Legal Aid Society would increase also. He further stated that there are more and more poor people in need of legal services that cannot afford them, thereby creating more of a need for services by the Legal Aid Society. Mr. Abinanti stated that in order for the legal system to work you need to have the same number of good defense lawyers as DA’s and Judges. Mr. Pittari stated that with the exception of himself, due to a hearing impairment, everyone in his office tries cases in court. There are no salaries being paid strictly for management positions.
· Mr. Pittari stated that the Legal Aid Society receives State aid of $700,000 as part of the same package as the DA’s office. He further stated that the DA’s office receives more in State aid as well as County match. This is in addition to the amount in the County’s budget.
· Mr. Young asked Mr. Pittari of the number of clients served by the Legal Aid Society what percentage are persons of color. Mr. Pittari stated that it is probably 50%.
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES – NOVEMBER 22, 1999
PAGE 4
· Statutory Charges: Expenses that are court-ordered, not paid for anywhere else. For expenses such as interpreter and transcription services. Mrs. Carrano stated that they never know what the number will be until the end of the year.
· Water Agency: Mrs. Carrano stated that because water district 4 went down on Election Day cuts of $256,000 can be made here.
· Breakdown of Victims Assistance: $72,000 for Rape Crisis and $48,400 for the Sane Program.
· Breakdowns for the Family Center Program and Invest in Kids Programs were requested.
· Insurance (4280): through a rebidding of property costs insurance costs are coming down and stabilizing unless something dramatic happens in the insurance industry.
· Workers Compensation Fund (4945): Losses seem to be stabilizing
· Non-Recurring Repairs (4310): This is taking care of business now and taking it out of the operating budget instead of deferring it and making it a capital project.
· Fringe Benefits: Retirement Systems: bill from NYS will continue to be minimal (for group life insurance policy). Also, includes $2 million for an incentive program for early retirement. There was a lengthy discussion on retirement.
· Committee requested the amount of savings in 2000 Budget from the 1999 early retirement. Budget Department will provide info.
· Health Benefits: Commissioner Pucillo stated that health insurance continue to rise, health costs have risen, retirees are availing themselves more and more of health benefits. He further stated that we are getting a younger retiree base who are not eligible for Medicare. Mrs. Carrano stated that they looked at the average age of the County’s workforce which is now at 53 so we are an aging workforce.
· There was a discussion of covering contraception costs for employees. Mrs. Carrano stated that it would cost an additional one half million per year to what is currently being spent on health benefits. She further stated that benefits can only be changed through contract negotiations.
· Debt Service: Doing away with spring bond sale. More prudent to keep costs down by going to the bond market once a year (fall).
· 6N Fund: Actuary comes in every year 4-6 times per year. The increase is made up of 2 pieces; one is pending litigation, the other has to do with insurance trend factors
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES – NOVEMBER 22, 1999
PAGE 5
· On motion of Legislator Carsky, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion to go into Executive Session at 12:10 p.m. to discuss pending litigation with regard to the 6N Fund was carried by a vote of 5-2 (Legislators Stewart-Cousins and Young out for vote)
· On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Wishnie, the motion to go out of Executive Session at 12:35 p.m. was carried by a vote of 5-2 (Legislators Stewart-Cousins and Young out for vote)
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Wishnie, the meeting was adjourned at12:37 p.m.