MINUTES
OTHERS: C.E.’S Office: Bill Randolph; Budget: Kate Carrano, Leslie Bennett, Meredith Waltman, Robert Kopenhaver, Fran Piskorowski, Arthur Vietro; CBAC/LWV: Barbara Strauss; Journal News: Keith Eddings; BKS: Les Storch, Nick DeSantis; Consumer Protection: Elaine Price, Rich Linkowski; Labs & Research: Dr. Hyland, Tom McGimpsey; BOL: Legislator Bronz, Barbara Dodds, Rafael Vega, Sally Schecter, Chris Chang, Robert Boland, Tina Seckerson
Chairman Wishnie called the meeting to order at 9:16 a.m.
2002 Capital Budget:
BKS-Oral Report:
· As far as federal & state aid is concerned the auditors feel that the only increases would come in relief areas or conservative estimates – so far they have found neither. They haven’t found any reasons to decrease estimates either.
· Sales Tax: $263.3 million estimate. They have studied the trends in other counties. There was a growth period from January to June of 2001 in sales tax in Westchester. It then took a turn in the opposite direction and has been coming down since. Auditors accepted the concept that a flat budget is appropriate based on the latest info. Budget dept. used info as of October. November collections were 13% below prior year’s collections. $260.2 million is the auditor’s preliminary recommendation. They want to see the latest info before finalizing their recommendation. According to Larry Dwyer of the Westchester County Association, things are booming. Car sales – creating incentives – dumping inventory. Housing factor is strong.
· No opportunity to increase revenue on hotel tax
· Auto use tax: $135,000 increase based on trends
· Interest on Investments: number is accurate
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES – NOVEMBER 29, 2001
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· No opportunity for increasing tobacco monies
· Harness Racing: discussion with regard to the new machines in Yonkers and potential impact. Auditors stated that there really isn’t any impact due to those machines.
· PRC: might be some room for increase in overall revenues ($100,000 – County Center)
· County Clerk: opportunity for increasing revenue in Land Records by $200,000
· Alien Assistance Program: eligible for up to $1.8 million by the federal government. Auditors will have further conversations with Budget Dept on this area.
· Corrections: State readies and parole violators: Dutchess County was part of a NYSAC suit. State says if they drop suit may raise reimbursement rate to $100. Need to explore the possibility of getting this higher rate on a regular basis.
· IT: decline in dept. revenue because college is going alone which results in an actual loss of revenue to the county.
· Labs & Research: $2.5 could come in as revenue based on IMA to do testing for NYC. Could go higher in this estimate.
· Public Safety: concern re: fund balance of Airport for the future due to increased security measures that will not go away.
· Actuarial charge for retirement services is 3.25% (percentages of salaries) may go to 3.8%. There may be some offsetting savings in other fringe benefits.
Labs & Research: (C271):
· Overall tax levy decrease of $741,529 or 10.8% over the 2001 appropriated amount. This is a result of the department’s response to the NYC disaster by providing environmental analyses of water samples for the NYC DEP.
· Westchester Labs & Research has been requested by the state crime lab to assist them in DNA testing. At this point the lab is doing nothing for NYC. NYC has contracted out. They have created a large DNA lab. Have at least 100 personnel in this lab. They are the initial work-up site. Have contracted with at least 3 private institutions to assist in DNA testing. Westchester was the first lab certified for DNA after state crime lab.
· Equipment: a lot of aging equipment – would cost close to $1 m to replace all of it. Added $175,000 in equipment for necessary purchases to meet the additional workload being generated through the NYC DEP contract.
COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES – NOVEMBER 29, 2001
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· Line 4070 Equipment Service & Rental: increase due to testing for NYC DEP
· contractual services: from budget transfer for chemist
· Committee requested a schedule of Educational Training - Line 4360
Consumer Protection (221):
· All indicators are up. Several new mandates.
· Yonkers dismantled Consumer Protection Department, creating revenue enhancements with parking meters and telephones, etc. which are the basis of more complaints. County is picking up more complaints from Yonkers. Don’t anticipate that will go away. Workload has increased. The only part reimbursable is if weights & measures division disbanded in Yonkers. According to the law, the county would have to take that over.
· They have 1 extra inspector – home improvement division in particular is up have estimated a 10% increase in licensing. Even with downturn in economy increase is up. Volume has increased in numerous areas.
· Currently have more than 600 hearings per year. Increased activity increases the number of hearings as well as paperwork.
· Discussion re: software for getting history on companies. Ms. Price stated that it would require a tremendous amount of work and would be a full time job to do it right, although it is worth looking into. Committee felt that company history should be on-line. Will discuss with IT
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further items for discussion, on motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the meeting was adjourned at 10:38 a.m.