September 14, 2007

CHAIRWOMAN MARINELLI SETS 2008 COUNTY BUDGET SCHEDULE

The Erie County Legislature's role with the 2008 budget will follow multiple tracks prior to its adoption deadline.

A dynamic of this year is that the current county executive is not running for another term and all legislative offices are up for election. All but one legislator is seeking re-election. As is the case, the legislative class of 2007 will be voting on the 2008 County budget. The schedule includes:

1. The Legislature's Finance, Management & Budget Committee, chaired by Legislator Bob Reynolds, will hold departmental budget hearings, meetings with fellow legislators, and a public hearing, as part of the process leading to the budget vote. A schedule will be announced upon receipt of the Executive's proposed budget, due on or before October 15. The deadline for the legislative budget vote is by the first Tuesday in December, which this year is December 4. I have named Legislator Barbara Miller-Williams (D-Buffalo) as the additional member to the committee, according to the Rules of the Legislature. She joins Majority Leader Maria Whyte, Legislator Kathy Konst and me on the committee's Democratic majority. Minority Leader John Mills will indicate the additional Republican appointment to the committee.
2. The Erie County Fiscal Stability Authority will be asked for review and comment. I recognize the state-created, state-appointed authority, which has approval powers of certain hirings, contracts and borrowings. The outcome of the spending package is, in large part, determined by the Control Board's actions. It is noteworthy that over 85 percent of the county budget is state and federal mandated costs.
3. The Erie County Comptroller, as per the reformed County Charter requirements, will be reviewing and commenting on revenue estimates and expenditure proposals. Comptroller Poloncarz prepared a very comprehensive report for the 2007 budget. On behalf of the Legislature, we look forward to his analysis and take his suggestions seriously.
4. The candidates for Erie County Executive will offer comments during their campaigns. On November 7th, I will request a meeting with the newly elected County Executive following the election of November 6. This will give him meaningful input into the budget deliberations. The Executive-elect will be given the same budget package and information being analyzed by legislators and the public we serve. While my colleagues and I face the voters, too, in November, the executive-elect's inclusion in the budget process will allow him to have an opportunity to affect the finalized budget, which his administration will have to manage. This involvement will also help allow his campaign platforms into the 2008 budget, rather than delay budget-based implementation of his plans until the second year of his term.

Constituents are encouraged to contact their representatives with any questions or comments. District 11 residents can contact me at Marinelli@erie.gov.

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