The Erie County Legislature reappointed Chairperson Lynn M. Marinelli (D-Buffalo, Tonawanda) and Majority Leader Maria R. Whyte (D-Buffalo) at its annual reorganization meeting today.

Chairperson Marinelli, who was first elected to the County Legislature in 1996 and has been re-elected five times, will serve her second term as Chairperson after serving as Majority Leader for two years. Majority Leader Whyte is serving her first term as a County Legislator and will take on her second term as Majority Leader.

Chairperson Marinelli noted that the once again the committee structure will provide much of the direction the Legislature takes this year, and announced each committee's major agenda items for 2007:

Community Enrichment: ECC budget, CVB dedication and funding, library systems and cultural funding reviews.

Economic Development: Waterfront development, Buffalo Bills lease review, ECIDA and NFTA review, DPW 4-Year Plan and roads.

Energy & Environment: Parks management, forest plan, Water Authority, NRG/Huntley progress, and sewer district merger.

Finance & Management: Sales tax, capital budget, New York State mandates on budget, Erie County Fiscal Stability Authority efficiency grants, fund balance review, charter impacts (performance-based budget) and grant funding approaches, mid-year budget hearings.

Government Affairs: Board of Elections/HAVA systems changes, Framework for Growth, County Clerk 4-Year Plan.

Health: ECMCC/Kaleida merger from New York State hospital commission, Health 4-Year Plan.

Human Services: Blueprint for Change with Social Services, Senior Services, and New York State Medicaid cap & impacts.

Personnel Ad Hoc: Ethics filings and Whistleblower policy reviews, assess vacancy control, pension costs, managed attrition, collective bargaining and Personnel 4-Year Plan.

Public Safety: Charter changes: Central Police Services and Emergency Medical Services, state mandates/jail
Sheriff's road patrol discussions, assess probation.

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