JOSEPH TO CHAIR LEGISLATURE IN 2004
By an 11 - 3 vote of his fellow Legislators, Tim Joseph (D - Town of Ithaca, West) was elected to a third annual term as Chair of the Legislature. Joseph's nomination was brought forward by Martha Robertson (D - Dryden) and seconded by Frank Proto (R- Danby, Caroline). Richard Booth (D - City of Ithaca), Dan Winch (R- Enfield, Newfield), and Michael Lane (D - Dryden) voted against Joseph. Kathy Luz Herrera (D - City of Ithaca) was absent. Booth stated that his no vote was a result of his deep disagreement with the County's budget decisions for 2004.

Michael Lane (D - Dryden) was elected to the seat of Vice-Chair, also for the third time. Joseph nominated Lane, saying that he respected the differences on the Legislature and felt that it was appropriate to have those differences represented in the leadership.

Joseph delivered an address that painted a slightly brighter picture of County finances and operations in 2004, due to an improving economy and renewed efforts to reduce or stabilize costs. However, he emphasized that everything the County does to further consolidate, streamline, and economize could be futile if the State government refuses to undertake significant mandate relief. County cost-cutting has been ongoing for three years, Joseph said, with $4 million in cuts to locally-controlled spending, while mandates costs have risen by $11 million. This trend can't continue without the loss of core County services within five years, he said.

Joseph said he believes the State's top leadership is neither willing to raise taxes nor cut services, because such actions in an election year are "dangerous to their political careers." What he would like to see is local legislators and citizens make it equally politically dangerous for the State officials to continue to push expenses down to the local level. Contact: Tim Joseph, Chair of the Legislature, 274-5434, 277-2519.

HIGHER INCOME LIMITS FOR PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS FAILS TO PASS
The Legislature was deadlocked on whether or not to increase the local income limits for property tax exemptions for senior citizens and disabled persons. The proposed new income limits would match those recently set by the New York State Legislature. The annual income to receive the greatest exemption - 50 percent off one's assessment for tax purposes - would have been raised from a $20,000 to $24,000 limit. The higher income limits would have allowed about 322 additional parcels to be eligible for exemptions, according to the County Assessment Department, resulting in a $96,867 loss in property tax revenue. The local income limits have not been changed since March 2001. The measure failed by a 7 - 7 vote, but can be brought back to the Legislature at a future meeting by anyone who voted against it, or by someone who was not present for the vote. Kathy Luz Herrera was absent from tonight's meeting. Contact: Michael Koplinka-Loehr, Chair, Government Operations Committee, 257-2329.

STATE HOMELAND SECURITY FUNDS WILL PAY FOR LOCAL EMERGENCY TRAINING
The Legislature voted to accept $58,433 in Homeland Security grant funds from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice for training local emergency responders in terrorism response. The money will go toward various training exercises and courses that prepare responders to deal with Weapons of Mass Destruction, hazardous materials, and terror attacks. In a related matter, a maximum of $130,000, of which $56,740 has already been budgeted, was approved to move equipment from the existing 911 dispatch center to the new Emergency Response Center. Contact: Lee Shurtleff, Director of Emergency Response, 257-3888.

PLANNING DEPARTMENT LOOKS AT SMALL CITIES FUNDING
A public hearing on the County's upcoming application for a Community Development Block Grant from the State's Small Cities Program was held before the Legislature meeting. Although no one spoke, public comment is still welcome regarding general housing, public facilities, and micro-enterprise needs in the County. A second hearing will be held February 17 on an application for the funds. Contact: Edward Marx, Planning Commissioner, 274-5560.

County home page