MINUTES
OTHERS: C.E.’s
Office: Bill Randolph, Robi
Schlaff; Budget Dept.: Leslie Bennett, Arthur Vietro, Meredith
Waltman, Anthony Finateri; CIO: Norman Jacknis; IT:
Kay Foster, R. Allen Elliott, Stuart Wadler; Hartsdale Fire Dept.: Bob Broderick; DES:
Pat Kelly, Tony Sutton; Board of
Elections: Reginald LaFayette, Carolee
Chairman Wishnie
called the meeting to order at
Discussion: 2002 Operating Budget
Board of Elections:
· The Commissioners explained that with next year being a gubernatorial year there could be a county wide primary. There may be redistricting on state level requiring more work on the part of the Board of Elections.
· There were lot of problems this year with machinery in the general election. Levers seem to be breaking.
· There was a discussion as to how they plan to effectuate the 5% savings plan requested by the County executive. The Commissioners explained that this is difficult because they don’t know what will happen. There are numerous court cases that attribute to the cost factor and it is impossible to predict how many court cases there will be.
· There was a discussion with regard to the possibility of inter-mixing new and old machines due to the high cost of new machines (could be $8 to $10 million). The Commissioners explained that this would be difficult on numerous levels for both voters and workers. Workers would have to be trained on both machines.
· Current machines were not made for candidates to be cross endorsed
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES –
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INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY:
· Demand for IT Services: Have three times the amount of data flowing through the network as in 1999 and 16 times the amount of data flowing through the network as in 1999
· There was a discussion with regard to consulting costs. There was concern with regard to the long-term effect of building in more positions and whether or not it can show a savings for the future.
· Committee inquired as to where the list of where contracts being portrayed show.
· It was asked why they keep any consulting contracts. Mr. Jacknis stated that they are trying to reduce the amount of dependence on outside consulting. Matters requiring unique technical skill still require outside consultants
· Personnel: Currently we have 2 mail deliverers (handlers). When the anthrax scare occurred a decision was made to have a central mail procedure (trailer) which will need to be staffed. They are being asked to handle mail they didn’t normally handle before. Some departments get their mail directly from the mailman, it is proposed that the mail be handled through a central location (trailer) before going to the departments. It was asked if the trailer is going to be adequate to handle all the mail coming through? Dr. Jacknis responded that it will. It was asked if two people be enough. Dr. Jacknis stated that they can’t ask for more. They have distributed hand-outs as well as provided information over the County’s, intranet with regard to mail handling.
· Bio terrorism: need to collect data from hospitals, pharmacies, and put into a database
· Emergency Management: no system for emergency management. Putting together systems that will make it possible for the other people to do their jobs more efficiently. They wouldn’t hire consultants because it would be more expensive and this is not something that is going to end, it will be on-going.
· Criminal justice coordination: collect suspect info and leads and get out to law enforcement agencies in a timely fashion. Involves software & systems design. There was concern amongst the Committee that some of this should be done with existing personnel. Committee members stated that the County has many talented people in its employ and should rely on them more now rather than hiring new employees.
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES – NOVEMBER 16, 2001
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· Building access system: Involves the use of smart cards and would help with keeping a current directory of County employees.
· Cost to IT for security system: programming, only one person in operating budget (for building access system); purchase of smart cards (capital) being applied to numerous applications, not just building security. IT employees not charged to capital.
· When asked about the 5% cut requested by the C.E., Dr. Jacknis stated that they have had numerous discussions with the Budget Department. A lot of what they are doing is basic maintenance, keeping things going so people can do their work. Only new item is responding to terrorism.
· Equipment Service & Rental (4070): Expenses: Increase reflects the full impact of annual maintenance fees associated with applications relating to Y2K and associated issues. It was asked if there is now the opportunity to slow down for a year or two in terms of new purchases, absorb what we have, recognize that we will fall some time behind the technology curve, and wait for technology to take the next leap over the next threshold and then re-invest back at that particular point. Dr. Jacknis stated probably not for a number of reasons. The technology helps the county be more efficient and effective. There will be a trade-off with departments coming back saying they are unable to deliver and face situations that they really don’t want to have to face. Once you make the investment there are some continuing needs. Amortization of Bonds (4461): Huge jump from $6.5 million to $9 million. If we continue to invest this year, amortization and interest will jump again because we made an additional purchase. Dr. Jacknis stated that the strategy was to buy only what we needed. There is now a new set of demands. We need new equipment in the data center for the software to operate on. Dr. Jacknis stated that in general spending in technology, in government as well as the private sector, has not slowed down all that much outside of the dot com world. He further stated that there was a decision made a couple of years ago not to buy desk top PC’s out of capital money because they had an effective life that was shorter than the bonds.
· Amortization of Bonds (4461): Charging capital projects back to departments. Committee requested a bond schedule. County does not pre-pay bonds.
· Departmental Income (9050): Decrease due to the fact that WCC went on their own.
· Committee requested a detailed breakdown of 911 line
· Security system equipment will not have an impact on IT budget
· Committee will meet with IT again.
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES – NOVEMBER 16, 2001
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EMERGENCY SERVICES:
· Personnel additions requested:
Ø Associate Planner – Emergency Management: to explore “what if” questions and develop and test plans to handle these scenarios.
Ø 4 Fire Inspectors: fire inspections, HazMat responses, firefighting response to Grasslands, EMS response, to be trained in all aspects of Advanced Tactical Rescue (ATR)
Ø Formation of a County Strike Team
Ø Secretary I: want to upgrade to a full time position
· Emergency Strike Team: a coordinated, multi-disciplined response group. The team will respond to incidents involving large-scale emergencies throughout the county to assist local response teams. The concept is like a mitigation team, controlling an event.
· Trust Account: T-51: Four County Nuclear Safety Coordinator: works under the C.E.. Coordinates the efforts of 4 counties. Position currently held by Ray Albanese.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Abinanti, the meeting was adjourned at 12:30 p.m.