JUNE 2, 2009

COUNTY LEGISLATURE CHAIR MARINELLI PLEASED CONTROL BOARD VOTES TO ENTER ADVISORY STATUS

Erie County Legislature Chair Lynn M. Marinelli commends the Erie County Fiscal Stability Authority's decision to enter advisory status after accepting the administration's four-year financial plan. The Legislature has worked with citizens and county officials toward this outcome.

"On behalf of the Erie County Legislature, we are pleased that the ECFSA just voted to become an advisory body and to end its status as a ‘hard' control board," Chair Marinelli said. "We in the Legislature have worked hard over the years to cooperate with the County Executive, the County Comptroller and the ECFSA for the good of the community."

Legislator Marinelli noted that the County Legislature has worked and continues to act to improve Erie County's fiscal health. Prior to New York State creating the authority, the Erie County Legislature adopted a 2005 local law approving early release of proposed county budgets, establishing mid-year budget hearings and instituting multi-year budget plans. The law of the Legislature also mandates monthly budget monitoring reports (BMRs). The County Legislature established a Charter Review Commission and approved changes and additions to the Erie County Charter, strengthening the Comptroller's powers to act in deficit declarations and setting fund balance goals. Over 70 percent of county voters approved the reformed charter.

The County Legislature also worked with the administration, Comptroller's office and the control board to secure capital borrowing for vital infrastructure projects and ensured through its budget deliberations that reductions and reforms allowed the county to balance budgets and build the reserve fund. Several votes of the Erie County Legislature supported each borrowing attempt. The County Legislature has also reduced the previous administration's reliance on borrowing, as well as forging better priorities and tracking.

"The Legislature will continue its role of budget and fiscal monitoring through its committee process and through its annual mid-year budget hearings, which will be held from July 20-24," Legislator Marinelli said. "The Stability Authority Chair and county budget director have been invited to testify before the Finance and Management Committee at its meeting at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 3."

Finance and Management Committee members include: Legislator Kathy Konst, chair; Legislator Robert B. Reynolds, vice chair, and Legislators Maria R. Whyte, Betty Jean Grant and John Mills.

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