| MEETING ATTENDANCE RULE PASSED The Legislature unanimously approved a charter change that deals with the issue of non-attendance by members of advisory boards and other public bodies. The amendment states that, if an official appointed by the Legislature to a board, commission, committee, or authority fails to attend three consecutive meetings without good cause, that person's seat may be considered vacant and may be filled by a new member. Some advisory boards have noted the difficulty of filling seats held by members who chronically fail to attend meetings and do not offer reasons for not attending. Contact: Michael Lane, Chair, Government Operations Committee, 844-8444. SHERIFF'S OFFICE IMPROVEMENTS PAID FOR WITH UNUSED OVERTIME FUNDS A budget transfer of $60,000 from funds set aside for overtime pay in the corrections division of the County Sheriff's Office will go to pay for needed improvements at the office and for the parking lot at the Public Safety Building. The transfer was unanimously approved. Contact: Barbara Blanchard, Chair, Public Safety Committee, 277-1374. ASSESSMENT ROLLS ACCEPTED The Legislature accepted by unanimous consent the final assessment rolls for purposes of collecting property tax in 2005. The total aggregate assessed value for all taxable property in the county is $4.6 billion ($4,639,396,849). For more information on the assessed values for 2005, contact the County Assessment Department, 274-5517. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT HEARING CANCELLED A public hearing on applications for Small Cities Community Development Block Grant funds, scheduled for October 19, 2004, has been cancelled. The County has received three proposals but has not yet chosen a specific project or projects. A hearing will be held as soon as a project is defined. Contact: Kathy Luz Herrera, Chair, Planning, Development, and Environmental Quality Committee, 273-8169. FORECLOSURE NOTICES DOWN Finance Director David Squires reported that his office has sent out 102 notices regarding properties subject to foreclosure for unpaid taxes. Owners must pay outstanding tax bills by January 7, 2005. Squires said that last year the number of notices sent was 139; he interpreted the lower number as sign of better economic times. Contact: David Squires, Finance Director, 274-5544. LEGISLATURE SETS HEARING FOR MEMBERSHIP OF NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE The Legislature approved a hearing for a change to the County charter that sets the membership of a negotiating committee for labor contracts with collective bargaining units. The negotiating committee will consist of a member of the County Legislature, the County Personnel Director, and the County Administrator or designee of the Administrator. Previously the charter required the chair of the Personnel Committee to be on the team; the Legislature is seeking more flexibility in that appointment. Further, a separate standing Personnel Committee no longer exists. Contact: Michael Lane, Chair, Government Operations Committee, 844-8444. |