Erie County Legislator Kathy Konst today sent a request to Erie County Comptroller Mark Polancarz, formally asking for a desk audit of the Erie County Department of Public Works. The request comes on the heels of discussions about Capital Borrowing for 2006.

The letter also asks the Comptroller's Office to assist in identifying cash funds in the 2006 budget that would capture 6.6 million dollars in State reimbursement under the Consolidated Highway Improvement Program. The Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) provides State funds to municipalities to support the construction and repair of highways, bridges, highway-railroad crossings, and other facilities that are not on the State highway system.

There are 1,190 centerline miles of county roads, 282 bridges and 402 major culverts crossing that Erie County maintains. Ms. Konst explained in her communication, "There is no revenue set aside in the 2006 budget to capture the CHIPS funding which becomes available only after the completion of highway improvement work." She went on to state, " No one will argue that the County's expansive infrastructure is in need of repair. I believe we need to find a way to capture these much needed State funds other than though bonding."

"Once the County submits their bills to the State, it is only a matter of a couple of months before the reimbursement check arrives. So why would we ever even consider long-term borrowing for this type of work? " asks Konst.

She further explained that the Department of Public Works also receives funds for road projects through the Real Estate Transfer Tax. In 2005 the receipts for the Real Estate Transfer Tax were 11.2 million dollars. The Erie County Department of Public Works encumbered 9 million dollars for highway operations and materials (O&M), which has left only 2.2 million dollars for this year's Road Repair Reserve Fund.

Because of irregularities in data presented to her, Legislator Konst requested that the Comptroller's office complete a desk audit to determine the way that the Erie County Department of Public Works spends public tax dollars. She explained, "By reviewing the reimbursement forms for the 2005 CHIPS funding and the public hearing notice for the 2005 Transfer Tax Projects, I believe that you will find the same roads listed on each." She concluded by saying, "My goal is simple. I want the roads and bridges fixed, but I also want truth in budgeting."

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