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Legislature Addresses 2009 Budget Challenges The Legislature,
by a vote of 13-1, authorized a series of internal account transfers
and policy changes to bring the 2009 budget into balance, reconciling a
projected $3.5 million budget shortfall. (Legislator
Mike Sigler voted no; Legislator Kathy Luz Herrera was excused.) Policy changes include a flexible freeze on
hiring and on equipment purchases greater than $2,000, as well as a
temporary suspension of the County’s rollover policy which would
allocate department personnel-related savings during 2009 to offset
projected County deficits, rather than being retained by departments.
Legislator
Sigler maintained that the action to implement a flexible freeze was
not needed, since the Legislature had already acted earlier this year
to authorize the County Administrator to review all department requests
to fill open positions, and he noted that policy has already produced
results. Administrator Joe Mareane, who
along with Finance Director David Squires had recommended the
adjustments, responded that the action formally puts the Legislature on
record indicating that the County is at a very difficult time requiring
vigilance on both hiring and equipment. All
elements, he said, are part of a general belt-tightening effort that is
essential this year. The expected
shortfall reflects deficits in sales tax receipts, state aid, social
services programs, interest earnings, and the Assigned Counsel budget. Available resources come from nearly $1.8
million in federal stimulus funding and $800,000 in personnel-related
savings, among other sources. Contact: Jim Dennis, Chair, Budget, Capital and Finance
Committee 387-4058; Legislator Mike Sigler, 339-7978;County
Administrator Joe Mareane, 274-5551. Legislature
Voices Support for Dairy Farmers Expressing
serious concern over the current dairy fiscal crisis, the Legislature
urged the federal government to take immediate steps to help provide
relieve from the economic challenges facing New York’s dairy farmers
and to preserve local dairy production. The
vote was 13-1, with Legislator Dooley Kiefer voting no, and Legislator
Kathy Luz Herrera excused. The action notes
that dairy farmers are struggling to meet their financial commitments
because of historically low milk prices coupled with erratically high
energy, feed and fertilizer costs, and predicts that many well-run
dairy farms will be unable to continue in business in this fiscal
climate unless the government takes “immediate, decisive, meaningful
action.” The Legislature
urges that the government immediately provide additional funding to
increase payments to dairy farmers from the Milk Income Loss Contract
program; utilize the Dairy Export Incentive Program and Food for Peace
Program to move dairy commodities off the domestic market; temporarily
increase the product price levels in the Dairy Product Price Support
Program; and make immediate dairy product purchases for Women, Infants
& Children (WIC) and other nutrition programs which received large
funding increases from the Federal stimulus package.
It also calls for the U.S. Department of Agriculture to
implement long-range policies to address the situation.
Legislator
Kiefer, who had proposed an amended version with alternate, more
general wording which failed by a vote of 4-10, said she had to oppose
the original resolution since she does not have sufficient knowledge of
the specific actions being recommended. She
said it’s clear that something be done to change the way in which the
nation funds its dairy industry. Contact: Pamela Mackesey, Chair, Planning , Development, and
Environmental Quality Committee, 273-6203; Legislator Dooley Kiefer,
257-4361. County to Pursue
“Blueway Trail” Partnership The Legislature
authorized the County to apply for grant funds, through the New York
State Environmental Protection Fund Local Waterfront Revitalization
Program to develop a Cayuga Lake Blueway Trail, in partnership with
Seneca and Cayuga Counties, to enhance public access to Cayuga Lake. The vote was 9-5, with Legislators Frank
Proto, Will Burbank, Tyke Randall and Mike Hattery voting no, and
Legislator Kathy Luz Herrera excused. The
action authorizes the County Planning Department to develop and submit
a coordinated application, with each county committing to a 50% match,
of $20,000 for in-kind staff time over a two-year period.
County Planning Director Ed Marx noted that development of
the small boat and paddling route is consistent with policies of the
County’s Comprehensive Plan, which supports appropriate development to
enhance public access to the lake. Legislator
Proto called the proposal worthwhile, but premature, and expressed
concern that in a challenging budget environment the program will
stretch Planning Department staff resources too thin.
He unsuccessfully sought to delay consideration for a
month until after the County begins its 2010 budget process, a proposal
which failed by a vote of 4-10. The delay
would have placed action after the grant submission deadline. Contact: Pamela Mackesey, Chair, Planning , Development, and Environmental Quality Committee, 273-6203; Planning and Public Works Commissioner Ed Marx, 274-5560; Legislator Frank Proto, 277-4875. Legislature
Urges State to Permit “Green Loans” Programs The Legislature,
by a vote of 13-1, after no discussion asked the State to amend General
Municipal Law to allow counties and other municipalities, to provide
financing for “green loan” programs for building improvements to
increase energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. (Legislator Mike Hattery voted no; Legislator,
Kathy Luz Herrera was excused.) The
resolution notes that current state law only allows such loans to be
offered through complex authorities or by requesting special
authorization from the State Legislature and that a “green loans”
program would be an important element in meeting the County’s energy
and greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal, to achieve at least an 80%
reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2050. Contact: Pamela Mackesey, Chair, Planning , Development, and
Environmental Quality Committee, 273-6203; Legislator Mike Hattery,
844-4361; Planning and Public Works Commissioner Ed Marx, 274-5560. Andrew
Sternglass Recognized as Distinguished Youth Eagle Scout
Andrew Sternglass was recognized as this month’s Tompkins County
Distinguished Youth. Nominated by Ithaca Town Supervisor Herb Engman
and other town staff, Andrew was especially honored for his work in
leading his Boy Scout Troop in completing beautification of a new
playground in the Eastern Heights neighborhood. Andrew
helped design the project and led the beautification effort with
support of his troop and other volunteers. Supervisor
Engman said the program has also led to a long-term commitment by the
Scouts to maintain the park through the town’s Adopt-a-Park program
Supervisor Engman praised Andrew’s valuable association with the town
and his community. The Distinguished Youth
Award is cosponsored by A&B Awards and Engraving, Bangs Ambulance
Service, Purity Ice Cream and Cayuga Radio Group. Contact: Legislature Office, 274-5434. Among other actions, the Legislature
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