| COUNTY DROPS JAIL EXPANSION PLANS By an eight-vote majority, the Legislature agreed to halt its plans to expand the size of the County jail, an estimated $20 million project. Martha Robertson presented an amendment to the 2005 County budget that removes $250,000 for proposed jail expansion from the capital program. The project will stay in the capital program, with no funding, implying that it could be revived in the future. The building is in need of renovations, even without expansion. Those voting for the budget amendment have, in doing so, rejected a state-mandate to build a 136-bed jail. As a consequence, it is very likely that the state Commission of Correction will pull housing variances that have allowed up to 103 beds in the jail. Without the variances, the jail capacity will drop to a maximum of 73 and the County will be forced to board out overflow inmates at a cost of $75 - 85 per day. The amendment also earmarks $400,000 in contingency funds for the expected boarding-out costs. To pay the bills, Sheriff Peter Meskill will request monthly reimbursements from the contingency fund for boarding out and associated transportation costs. Voting to zero out the Public Safety Building project were Dick Booth, Kathy Luz Herrera, Tim Joseph, Michael Koplinka-Loehr, Leslyn McBean-Clairborne, Peter Penniman, Martha Robertson, and Nancy Schuler. Those who favored continuing to plan for a larger jail were Barbara Blanchard, Dooley Kiefer, Michael Lane, Frank Proto, Thomas Todd, George Totman, and Dan Winch. Final approval of the amendment hinged on approval of the entire 2005 County budget, which passed by a majority vote (see below). Contacts: Martha Robertson, 272-0584; Barbara Blanchard, 272-7664. LEGISLATURE NARROWLY APPROVES 2005 BUDGET The Legislature passed the County budget for 2005 by a vote of 8 to 7. The tentative budget will raise the County property tax levy by 6.59 percent. The total property tax levy will be $33,103,560. The County property tax rate for 2005 will be $7.17 per $1,000 of assessed value, a 3.9 percent decrease from 2004. The total local share - the portion of the budget that is supported with local revenues - is $63,531,110. The entire budget, which includes all federal and state aid, is approximately $123,669,469. In addition to the removal of the jail project from 2005 spending, two other amendments succeeded. By a vote of 13 to 2, $100,000 was added for the increased cost of a competitive wage and benefits package for Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit, Inc. By a vote of 9 to 6, $30,000 in rollover (unspent) funds was reclaimed from the Probation and Criminal Justice Department, with no reduction in services, and no effect on the tax levy. An amendment to remove $100,000 from the Highway Division budget failed with only 5 votes in favor. Voting to approve the budget were Barbara Blanchard, Richard Booth, Tim Joseph, Dooley Kiefer, Michael Koplinka-Loehr, Peter Penniman, Nancy Schuler, and Martha Robertson. Voting no were Kathy Luz Herrera, Michael Lane, Leslyn McBean-Clairborne, Frank Proto, Thomas Todd, George Totman, and Daniel Winch.Contacts: Michael Koplinka-Loehr, Chair, Budget and Capital Committee, 257-2329; County Administrator Stephen Whicher, 274-5551. COUNTY PROTESTS PATRIOT ACT The Legislature voted 10 to 5 in favor of a resolution that condemns the USA Patriot Act and requires the Chair of the Legislature to seek an annual report from federal agencies on local residents arrested or detained under the powers of the act, as well as other monitoring actions, such as obtaining library or education records. Contact: Dooley Kiefer, Chair, Consumer and Community Affairs Committee, 257-7453. |