COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND APPROPORIATONS
MINUTES
NOVEMBER 22, 2002
MEMBERS PRESENT: Wishnie, Kaplowitz, LaMotte, Stewart-Cousins
OTHERS PRESENT: CE: B. Randolph, A. Newman; Budget: K. Carrano, A. Vietro, V. Huff, F. Pisho, L. Bennett; Public Safety: L. Codella, D. Ritucci, W. Rehm; Probation: J. Levin, Keoni May; Correction: R. Pozzi, T. E, B. Gladwin, B. Fitzpatrick, J. Miranda; Bob Buckley, J. Spano: West. COBA; WLVW/CBAC: B. Strauss; BOL: B. Boland, R. Indelicato, S. Schecter, R. Vega, B. Dodds
In an effort to expedite the meeting it was decided Mr. Boland would review each line item after the meeting.
The 2003 budget reflects a $573,088 increase of the current year. Although the Department has reduced its expenditures, the reduction was offset by a loss in revenue (primarily die to a reduction in police services at the Airport.
Positions
The Department is looking to add 1 new position going into 2003 bringing it’s total number of employees to 312.
Due to the uncertainty of the arrangement in Cortlandt, the item has been removed from the budget until the municipality decides how it chooses to go forward. The schedule and a budget for the $400,000 pre-designated Trust Account will be provided for the Committee to review.
Because of concern regarding the County’s helicopter, it was decided the actuary would review this issue and his findings would be relayed to the Committee.
This line is prepared in accordance with the salaries of the officers in the fund, therefore the 11% increase in this line going into 2003 due to a salary increase of the higher salaried personnel currently in this fund. The limit of personnel in this line is 9.
The Department anticipates 13 vacancies going into 2003.
A breakdown of this line will be provided for Committee review.
Day Reporting has been eliminated as of this month, established to support the Department of Correction by providing additional supervision, programming and home detention for people who were eligible for early release. It was also hoped the program could aid in helping to reduce pre-trial bail amounts. Due to the unexpected amounts of PINS cases personnel had to be shifted to, anticipate additional probation officers, to fill the needs.
The Department has no vacancies. It has abolished 2 probation officers and 1-Day Reporting supervisor lines and moved 3 probation officers and 1 supervisor to the PINS line.
Mr. Pozzi felt the Department of Probation and the programs offered have been very effective in helping the County cut expenses on the Correction side, without them; the County would average 100-150 more inmates.
Although schedules of these lines will be provided, the Department provided explanations for the following:
Line 4380- Reflects savings precipitated by the elimination of Day Reporting.
Yonkers General Hospital- Increased due to addition of officers and salary differential increases. A budget for this line will be provided.
The Committee considered the following 3 Resolutions:
On the motion of Mr. Kaplowitz, seconded by Mrs. LaMotte all three Resolutions were carried 4-0.
Boot Camp
The actual savings of closing this program is around $500,000 dollars. The average age is around 16-23, closure will facilitate the need for a new minors block, the 18 are will go back to general population. Many of the programs will still be available to them, but they will loose regimentation. But closure is not seen as an overall lost. Revisiting the program at a later date will remain an option. The Probation component will still provided to this youth. The program will sees about 80 kids per year.
The $2.5 million dollar increase in overtime compared to 2002 is due to the 3 contributing factors:
There are 441 posts that must be filled every day; each requires roughly 2 people for coverage. On average the Department is short 60 people. 207C numbers are down dramatically, anticipate 53 people on 207C going into 2003, and hope recent actions will help secure more favorable returns from the State.
Anticipate the new Penitentiary being on-line in September 2004, which will alleviate the need for as many officers and some will be able to move some to other areas.
The department does not anticipate medical expenses for inmates to go up in 2003. The drug rehabilitation program has been very successful, with a very low recidivisms rate.
Federal Aid
The Department has seen a tremendous drop in SCAAP aid due to the program’s elimination.
State Readies
The Department is working on legislation requiring the State take their parole violators not requiring any court action immediately.
On the motion of Mr. Kaplowitz, seconded by Mrs. Stewart-Cousins the meeting was adjourned at 10:45 a.m.