NOVEMBER 17, 2008

HARD WORK, DECISIONS CONTINUE ON COUNTY BUDGET

The Erie County Legislature is continuing deliberating over the administration's annual budget proposal. These deliberations have been more demanding as the Legislature reviews the county executive's $1 billion 2009 budget plan, including a proposed property tax increase, in an increasingly difficult economic climate.

The budget deliberations have been conducted through the Finance, Management and Budget Committee under the direction of its chair, Legislator Kathy Konst. They included weeks of public departmental budget hearings and callbacks, as well as the public hearing on the administration's 2009 budget proposal held November 12. Members of the public have also contacted legislators through telephone calls, letters, e-mails and in person.

Through the public hearing and departmental budget hearings, the Legislature has received input on suggested changes, including requests for increased funding from some Erie County departments, cultural, tourism and other groups. Because county government can neither operate nor approve budgets without financially balancing them, the County Legislature would have to transfer dollar for dollar from one budget center to another or increase revenue to make these changes.

Any proposal to change the budget would necessitate at least eight votes, and would need at least 10 votes to override a possible county executive veto. The County Legislature is required to approve a 2009 budget by December 2.

As the difficult financial times continue, the Legislature continues to look for ways for government to act as efficiently as possible while still delivering its core services of providing for law enforcement, public heath and safety. County legislators have been very diligent and professional in their approach to the 2009 proposed County budget and we will continue to gather information, discuss and crunch numbers to come up with as cost-effective a county budget as we possible can.

The county comptroller's office has been helpful in identifying budget lines that create an imbalance and costs that will require the Legislature to monitor revenues and expenses in 2009. At my request, and under state statute, the ECFSA has offered to assist these efforts, too.

My colleagues and I have fought to have the county relieved of overbearing, unfunded state and federal spending mandates, and we must continue to fight these mandates to help maintain Erie County's fiscal health. The County Legislature unanimously voted November 6 to request New York Governor David Paterson and the State Legislature to reduce state spending without shifting these costs to county government; county finances should not be made responsible for the state's actions.

Taxpayers who wish to comment on the 2009 proposed county budget can contact their specific legislators; my constituents can contact me at 832-0493 or by e-mail at Marinelli@erie.gov.

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