March, 2007

ECC City Campus Expansion to Cost Taxpayers $15 million

Back in December 2005, Erie Community College adopted and approved its Facilities Master Plan and 2005-2007 Strategic Plan. Several strategies related to the three campuses were adopted and included the following: while maintaining three campuses, creating one SUNY ECC with a shared mission and goals, consistent service delivery and reduced duplication of services; creating centers of excellence; and creating a partnership with our community to identify and pursue mutual goals.

On February 8, 2007, I attended the County Executive's presentation to the Erie County Legislature's Finance and Management committee to secure $15 million for the development of an expanded Erie Community College city campus. The question that I've asked is whether Erie County taxpayers can afford the project and does the project merit approval.

The county's capital budget for 2007 is $30 million. $6.75 million was already committed for improvements to Ralph Wilson Stadium and the new rain forest exhibit at the Buffalo Zoo, and the County has identified another $23 million in repairs and maintenance work, bringing the Capital Budget allocation to $59 million. The Legislature needs to review and weigh all requests, giving priority to road and bridge repair projects to repair our crumbling infrastructure. First, we must fix our existing assets and second, as the Control Board has stated allow for Capital Budget leeway - not double the Capital Budget.

While enrollment at Erie Community College continues to rise by more than 3%, past enrollment figures and a survey of high school seniors that my office conducted, shows that a majority of those enrolled at ECC's three campuses attend the North Campus. And, the majority of high school students polled in the 4th Legislative district stated they would choose a different college if three campuses were not available and would not commute to a downtown consolidated campus. ECC North Campus appeals to a large segment of high school graduates in Erie County as well as those in the workforce looking to enhance their skills and it should be preserved as a viable campus for the future.

As the Legislature continues to deliberate over funding for the 2007 Capital Budget Plan, I will continue to weigh and balance all the requests of the residents of Erie County and push for your tax dollars to be spent wisely.

If you have any questions, comments or concerns about any issue facing county government, please feel free to write or visit me at 8203 Main Street - Suite 4, Williamsville, NY 14221, call my district office at 631-8695, or email me at ranzenhofer@erie.gov.

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