COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPORIATONS

MINUTES

NOVEMBER 21, 2002

MEMBERS PRESENT:                          Wishnie, Kaplowitz, LaMotte, Stewart-Cousins

LEGISLATORS PRESENT:                    Pinto

OTHERS PRESENT:                             CE: B. Randolph; Budget: J. Arnett, A. Vietro, D. Cabrera, C. Burkart; DOT: H. Stanton, L. Salley, B. Leverence, J. DeMilia, R. Stiller, R. Bracchitta; WC Airport: J. Russell; Finance: P. Pucillo, B. Stewart; Solid Waste Commission: F. FitzRandolph, B. Berger, L. Vetrone; BOL: B. Boland, R. Indelicato, S. Schecter, S. Vanderberg

Chairman Wishnie called the meeting to order at 9:16 a.m.

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE:

Mr. Wishnie noted the department’s 11% reduction to net tax levy, the lost of several employees to early retirement and the abolishment of 9 positions.  Commissioner Pucillo said the changes in personnel have afforded the department the opportunity to reorganize. 

Technical Services, line

The department has been able to further cut costs due to the assignment of 4 Information Technology employees specifically to the department has eliminated the need for an outside contractor for AMS services.

The department was asked to assess the feasibility of refinancing the County’s Courthouse Project and the Tobacco Securitization.

Mr. Pucillo said the inclusion of the purchasing department has contributed to the department’s budget.  He added the County was poised to begin the sale of its General Obligation Bonds.  A schedule of bonds going out for purchase would be provided for the Committee to review.

SOLID WASTE COMMISSION:

The department has always met the mandate to be a tax levy neutral agency,

and anticipate operating in the black in 2003. 

Positions

There were two positions open.  One was reduced and the other will combine both program analyst and inspector giving the department an additional inspector.

Replacement Equipment

The department was recently forced to replace a car.

Contractual Services

The addition of Mr. Vetrone, an attorney, to the department has alleviated the need of former outside investigator Pamela Davis, to conduct background investigations.  The remaining balance of this line is for the salary of the hearing officer and the possible addition of another.

The Department noted the Statute has a positive impact on the County by enabling the movement customers.  An analysis of the financial impact on both municipalities and individuals as a result of the Bill of Rights will be provided for the Committee to review.

Departmental Income, line 50

The numbers reflected in this line is the result of a phasing in of a full year of licensed carters.  The County originally had 84 operating companies.  Due to the extension of the application deadline, department received 47 new applications, 22 of these are currently operating with permits until their review process is complete.  Many of these new companies are much smaller.  A schedule of the quantitative indicators for the different Carter Class lines will be provided for the Committee to review.

*Due to an unexpected meeting with the County Executive and a State Delegation to discuss the County’s Budget, the Committee was adjourned at 9:44 a.m.