The Erie County Legislature adopted, as amended, the 2007 county budget 11-4 December 1, ahead of the legal deadline. The Democratic majority constructed a responsible, tightly balanced budget following department hearings, public testimony, consensus building through the Budget Committee, and collaboration with the Comptroller's office, the Erie County Fiscal Stability Authority and the executive's budget office.

The expense side of the just over $1 billion operational budget is more than 88% mandated due to mostly state and federal health and human services and public safety areas. The revenue is mainly derived from property taxes, which remain frozen, and sales taxes, which are also distributed to cities, towns, villages, school districts, the NFTA and the control board. In fact, after revenue sharing, the county portion of sales tax for operational purposes is just over half. Also significant is the county's need to enhance its fund balance to improve our credit rating with Wall Street. The Democratic majority takes this seriously and did not cut the reserves. Although Erie County is under a state mandated control period, the policy decisions remain with the elected representatives of more than 940,000 people.

The Majority amendment highlights include:

• Rejected proposed fee increases and some revenue assumptions for a $1.8 million cut.
• Reduced some vacancies and removed some proposed new jobs for about $870,000 of cost savings. Positions added include four probation officers, a nurse at the correctional facility, a clerk for fire safety, a reshift of election workers and lifeguards funds to keep beaches open on weekends. Raises beyond cost of living adjustments were rejected.
• Increased library funding - proposed at steady state of $21.7 million - by $500,000 to meet state standards.
• Maintained cultural funding at the proposed level of $5.3 million with some reallocation of priorities for 45 organizations.
• Added to Convention & Visitors Bureau by $500,000 from the proposed $2.3 million.
• Enhanced community areas: summer youth programs, city parks maintenance, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Erie County Soil & Water Conservation, the Public Advocate office and Vive la Casa.

While the 2005 and 2006 county budgets represented millions of dollars in cuts and layoffs, the 2007 budget will contain reforms and further challenges. Changes in the regional hospital care system, the future of Erie Community College, the new state and federal requirements on county elections and meeting the Four-Year Plan objectives will need due diligence as we build the 2008 budget and monitor management and fiscal stability.

I appeal to Governor-elect Spitzer and our legislators to provide relief from state mandated costs. I ask the control board to expedite the $17.5 million of state efficiency grant funds due Erie County. I pledge to continue working closely with my constituents, partners in government, business and the not-for-profit community. I am thrilled to continue my reform efforts that were started in spring 2004 with the Erie County Charter changes, approved by 70% of the voters. Keep your comments coming and enjoy the holidays.

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