MINUTES
HEALTH MEMBERS: Abinanti, Carsky, Stewart-Cousins, Swanson
OTHERS: Budget Dept.: Leslie Bennett, Fran Piskorowski, Arthur Vietro; C.E.’s Office: Bill Randolph; LWV: Roberta Wiernik; Community Mental Health: Steve Firedmen, Thomas Neufeld; Health: Joshua Lipsman, Patsy Yang-Lewis, Irv Cohen, Lawrence Berg; American Lung Association: Patricia Knopp; Law Dept.: Alan Scheinkman; Dept. of Correction: Rocco Pozzi; Journal News: Melissa Klein; BOL: Steve Bass, Tara Bernard, Sally Schecter, Barbara Dodds, Robert Boland, Chris Chang, Tina Seckerson
Chairman Wishnie called the Budget Committee meeting to order at 9:15 a.m.
DISCUSSION:
2001 PROPOSED BUDGET: COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH:
· Positions: increase is in grants, primarily in T-258 (Homeless Outreach/Employability Assessment), had five positions previously now has 8, additional money from NYS Dept of Mental Health to fund 3 positions to work in shelters. Increase of 3 positions (managerial & clinical positions) and 1 clerical position for T-522 C-Admin for legal monitoring of difficult clients
· Homeless Assessment Unit (4353): homeless assessment unit at the Airport. These are single individuals Fewer are Medicaid eligible. Schedule will be provided
· War on Drugs (4600): Committee requested total gross amount of cost of program, as well as what other depts are picking up part of cost, if any.
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES – DECEMBER 1, 2000
PAGE 2
2001 PROPOSED BUDGET: HEALTH:
· Personnel: Increase from 397 to 425, some of it was due to bookkeeping adjustments, 14 new positions (West Nile Virus). Emerging public health threats - doing prevention – more and more public health problems are things that come on quickly and the health department has to be able to react quickly. The employees will be in various areas including Disease Control, The 14 positions are for monitoring with regard to mosquitoes and in the larva siting and control. Schedule of change in positions requested. No monies in here for pesticide applications.
· Tobacco Program: due to the timing of the tobacco settlement appropriation this year, the year 2000 appropriation will extend into 2001 with an additional $2.6 million in the year 2001 budget. Committee requested a spending plan.
· Schedule of breakdown of $800,000 in (4358) Mosquito Surveillance Program. List of positions Request for $3.1 million, allowed $800,000. Put together a plan intended to be a blueprint for the next several years. There is no money for spraying in here. Wanted to have an insect specialist and a vet on staff because of all the diseases coming in through insects and animals.
· Pesticide Notification enforcement: have not formulated a plan nor do they have any resources for that at this time. Chairman Wishnie stated that the Committee needed to have anumber so it could be added to the Memorandum of Additions. Health Department will provide information.
· Elmsford Assessment Unit (4357): went to DSS Health was the administrative intermediary between Greenburgh & DSS
· Contractual Payments to Neighborhood Health Centers (4370): same amount that was put into last year’s budget minus the BOL add. Additional 300,000 is being used for one time expenditures – never the intent of the Board
· Services by Records Center (5485): based on the volume of records being stored
· Prostate Cancer/Men’s Health Initiative: one time funds were provided by the Board in 1997 enabling the Health Department to initiate a prostate cancer education program. Program was expanded to include colorectal cancer education and screening as well as breast health care.
· Early Intervention and Preschool Children’s Program: Early intervention 0-2; pre-school 3-5. It is projected that 8,800 children will receive services during 2000-2001. This represents a 2000-2001 projected increase of 20.4% in the number of children served and 18.7% in expenditures over the 1999-2000 school year. No control over expenditures incurred
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES – DECEMBER 1, 2000
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MINUTES:
On motion of Legislator LaMotte, seconded by Legislator Carsky, the motion to approve the Minutes of November 28, 2000 was carried by a vote of 9-0.
Chairman Abinanti called the Health Committee meeting to order at 10:20 a.m.
A12: WCHCC Agreement: Proposed Act authorizing the County to enter into
an agreement with the Westchester County Health Care corporation
whereby WCHCC will provide comprehensive health care services to inmates at the Department of Correction. (11/13/00) (also referred to Health)
· The existing contract for inmate health care services commenced on January 1, 1999 and expires on December 31, 2000. The County has the option to renew this agreement for two additional one year terms.
· It has been determined that an agreement with WCHCC to provide these services will result in higher quality medical care, stronger on-site management and better coordination with local health care providers.
· 125 emergency room trips per year are made for inmates
· County will pay WCHCC an amount not to exceed $9,300,000 inclusive of all expenses
· WCHCC’s health care expenses will be limited to $25,000 for offsite health services for any inmate during the term of the agreement and to $100,000 for offsite health services relating to any single event or catastrophe occurring during the term of the agreement and involving more than one inmate.
FOR THE BUDGET COMMITTEE:
On motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 9-0.
FOR THE HEALTH COMMITTEE:
On motion of Legislator Stewart-Cousins, seconded by Legislator Carsky, the motion to approve this item was carried by a vote of 4-0.
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPRORPIATIONS
MINUTES – DECEMBER 1, 2000
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HEALTH COMMITTEE ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Legislator Swanson, seconded by Legislator Carsky, the Health Committee meeting was adjourned at 11:15 a.m.
BUDGET COMMITTEE ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Legislator Swanson, seconded by Legislator Carsky, the Budget Committee meeting was adjourned at 11:15 a.m.