MINUTES
OTHERS: Budget: Kate Carrano, Meredith Waltman, Vernon Huff; C.E.’s Office: Susan Tapper; Law Department: Charlene Indelicato, Stacey Dolgin-Kmetz, Linda David; CBAC/LWVW: Barbara Strauss; DOT: Commissioner Salley, Deputy Commissioner Stanton, Bill Leverence, Richard Stiller, John DeMilia; Airport: Christopher Burkart, Peter Scherrer; BOL: Steve Bass, Peter Neglia, Tara Bernard, Sally Schecter, Chris Chang, Robert Boland, Tina Seckerson
Chairman Wishnie called the meeting to order at 9:16 a.m.
2002 Capital Budget:
Law Department:
· 38 % of billings are not billable (including Administration and Board of Legislators. Tax levy increase would be 11%. Make up a great deal of services through other departments and working harder.
· Litigation (4923) has stayed pretty steady at about $1 million per year since the year 2000 when it was only a third of that. It was asked if they anticipate it staying at the same level. Came to the Board in May and asked for a Budget transfer for the County Attorney’s Office. Committee requested a schedule (list of cases)
· Svces by Fleet Mgt: (5160): due to increase in rates and usage
· Committee requested a breakdown of Line 9508 – Services to other Departments
Transportation Department:
· Transit side: 70% of people using bus system are transit dependent and come form households earning less than $35,000 per year. No service cuts and no increase in fares.
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES – NOVEMBER 20, 2001
PAGE 2
· Committed to carry forth proposed program of reducing emissions from buses. Will test diesel fuel on our buses. Looking to see what other measures can be taken to reduce emissions. Increase in tax levy of $5 million.
· Ten cent increase would yield $500,000 per year in revenue. Thirty-five cents would yield $3.5 million. 35 cent increase would make us the highest fare in the region.
· Contract for diesel fuel through end of March 2002. Paying $ .98 - $1.02 per gallon
· Ultra low sulfur fuel is seven cents per gallon more than diesel
· In 2007 sulfur fuel will be national standard and the 7 cent increase will decline until it finally disappears.
· Utilities (3200): big piece is for natural gas for garages (Cerrato and Saw Mill river Road) Includes electricity and gas. React to the market more than other depts.
· 4924: Bus Operating Assistance: driven by salaries. Significant wage increase driven by the state’s agreement with the MTA. Medical benefits have soared. $5 million for transition of new buses. About $3.5 m for fuel. Committee requested a breakdown of this account.
· Revenues: Fed & State Aid: They were able to roll over money that wasn’t spent so it hides the impact of lost state and fed aid.
· Shuttle cost: $2.2 from tax levy; $800,000 in state aid. Shuttle services a lot of companies, large and small
· Committee requested a breakdown of (4554) MTA Operating Assistance and (4555) MTA Station Maintenance
Airport:
· Increased costs related to security measures. 418% increase in security costs. Previously had 3 posts at the Airport, now up to 11. Requires 5 ½ officers for each 24 hour post. Posts will be made permanent as there is no indication that these FAA requirements will be reduced. There is an effort afoot to get the federal government to help with the costs. There was a discussion with regard to these additional posts. Will provide a list.
· PFC charges will start 12/1 and will generate about $700,000 per year.
· Current # of passengers is about2/3 of what we would typically be handling. They don’t expect significant slow downs due to security measures as the # of passengers increases.
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES – NOVEMBER 20, 2001
PAGE 3
· Committee requested the following information:
Ø Breakdown of Annual Regular (1010)
Ø Schedule for non-recurring (4310)
Ø Schedule for Rental and Taxes (4320)
Ø Schedule for Services by Public Safety (5390)
· Parking: So far there has been only one day where they experienced a greater demand than was available.
· Restaurant: doing a better catering business than daily restaurant business.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the meeting was adjourned at 10:15 p.m.