• Procedure for Adoption of Erie County Budget

JULY 17, 2009

COUNTY LEGISLATURE ANNUAL MID-YEAR BUDGET HEARINGS TO CONTINUE OVERSIGHT, REFORM MEASURES

The Erie County Legislature will conduct its mid-year budget hearings as part of its continuing oversight and reform measures starting at 9 a.m. Monday, July 20, in the County Legislature Chambers on the Fourth Floor of 92 Franklin Street in Buffalo.

The County Legislature will hold these mid-year budget hearings through the Finance and Management Committee, which is chaired by County Legislator Kathy Konst (D-Lancaster, Elma).

"The mid-year budget hearings, through the Legislature gaining information from the various department heads and other administration officials, are a key weapon in our fight to continue to right Erie County's fiscal ship," Legislator Konst said. "Assessing Erie County's financial health through examination of the departments' spending and revenues, and comparing them to the projections, allows the Legislature and departments to be able to adjust to changing situations before they become crises."

"The County Legislature instituted the mid-budget hearings as part of its reform measures to increase its oversight of financial matters," County Legislature Chair Lynn M. Marinelli (D-Buffalo, Tonawanda) said. "We are continuing to monitor spending and revenues as part of our County Charter designated roll of fiscal oversight, which our constituents demand."

The mid-year budget hearings will proceed through Tuesday and Wednesday, July 21-22, with call back for departments needing to provide additional information to be held Friday, July 24.

The complete mid-year budget hearing schedule can be found at www.erie.gov/legislature.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2008

WHAT: Erie County Legislature to conduct a special session

WHERE: Erie County Legislature Chambers, Fourth Floor, 92 Franklin Street, Buffalo

WHEN: 11:30 a.m. Monday, December 22, 2008

For more information, please contact Director of Communications Kevin J. Hosey at 858-8607.

December 18, 2008

To: All Members of the Erie County Legislature

From: Robert M. Graber, Clerk

Subject: SPECIAL MEETING NOTICE

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Rule 2.02 of the RULES OF ORDER of the Erie County Legislature, and under the direction of Chair Lynn M. Marinelli, there will be a Special Meeting of the Erie County Legislature on MONDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2008 at ELEVEN-THIRTY O'CLOCK in the morning of that day in the Chambers of the Erie County Legislature, 4th Floor of Old County Hall, 92 Franklin Street, in the City of Buffalo, New York.

The purpose of the Special Meeting will be consideration of a resolution to consider actions to defend passage of the Levy and Apportion of Erie County Real Property Tax - 2009; as well as consideration of two Discharge items from the Finance & Management Committee:

• COMM. 23E-9 (2008) from the County Executive, Levy and Apportion of Erie County Real Property Tax - 2009;
• COMM. 28E-15 (2008) from the County Executive, 2009 Town Budgets & Special District Budgets.

The items on the agenda of the Special Meeting will include a resolution to consider actions to defend passage of the Levy and Apportion of Erie County Real Property Tax - 2009; consideration of two Discharge items from the Finance & Management Committee: COMM. 23E-9 (2008), and COMM. 28E-15 (2008); and your Memo as Clerk of the Legislature to Members of the Legislature calling the Special Meeting.

Thank you.

December 18, 2008

Mr. Robert M. Graber, Clerk
Erie County Legislature
92 Franklin Street, 4th Floor
Buffalo, N.Y. 14202

Dear Mr. Graber:

Pursuant to Rule 2.02 of the Rules of Order of the Erie County Legislature, you are hereby directed to call a Special Meeting of the Erie County Legislature on MONDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2008 at ELEVEN-THIRTY O'CLOCK in the morning of that day in the Chambers of the Erie County Legislature, 4th Floor of Old County Hall, 92 Franklin Street, in the City of Buffalo, New York.

The purpose of the Special Meeting will be consideration of a resolution to consider actions to defend passage of the Levy and Apportion of Erie County Real Property Tax - 2009; as well as consideration of two Discharge items from the Finance & Management Committee:

• COMM. 23E-9 (2008) from the County Executive, Levy and Apportion of Erie County Real Property Tax - 2009;
• COMM. 28E-15 (2008) from the County Executive, 2009 Town Budgets & Special District Budgets.

The items on the agenda of the Special Meeting will include a resolution to consider actions to defend passage of the Levy and Apportion of Erie County Real Property Tax - 2009; consideration of two Discharge items from the Finance & Management Committee: COMM. 23E-9 (2008), and COMM. 28E-15 (2008); my letter to you calling the Special Meeting; and your Memo as Clerk of the Legislature to Members of the Legislature calling the Special Meeting.

Thank you.

            Sincerely,

            Lynn M. Marinelli, Chair
            Erie County Legislature

ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATURE DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY
2009 BUDGET VETO OVERRIDE MESSAGE

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2008

The Erie County Legislature today voted to override the vetoes made by the County Executive Monday in the amended 2009 Erie County budget, reinstating the amendments to cultural and other spending approved by the County Legislature last week, eliminating the county executive's previously proposed tax rate increase.

Despite erroneous claims by the county executive, the budget with veto overrides will hold the line on property taxes, thus cutting the County Executive's proposal by about $9.5 million, while providing for essential services such as public safety, health, human services and emergency services. The County Legislature restored about $1 million to the spending plan; about 86 percent of the budget is state and federally mandated spending.

The spending package the County Legislature approved kept the voters and the taxpayers first and foremost in mind by eliminating the proposed tax increase, reducing spending where possible but continuing to fund essential services as well as providing funds where possible to economic engines, such as culturals, tourism, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Erie County Soil and Water, Operation Prime Time (youth services) and the Olmsted Parks.

The County Legislature was repeatedly told by residents and taxpayers how crucial it was to hold the line on the property tax rate in these difficult economic times, and acted to eliminate the county executive's proposed increase.

Cultural funding was restored at 95 percent of the organization's 2008 level, funding organizations while ensuring that decreased funding would be spread equitably through the groups.

REVENUES

• Accepting the County Executive's assumptions of flat sales tax revenues in 2009.
• Held the line on property taxes, cutting the County Executive's proposal by $8 million.
• Voted for the County Executive's proposal, raising parks fees, with amendments, by $236,300, at the December 1 session.
• Voted for the County Executive's proposal raising Health Department fees by $40,697 at the November 20 session.
• Accepted the County Executive's proposal raising recording fees by $300,000, which will be voted on in December by local law.

REDUCTIONS

• Reduced and restructured the County Legislature's budget for personnel and non-personnel items by more than $265,000.
• Further reduced non-personnel line items throughout all Erie County departments by $3,479,407.
• Further reduced personnel line items throughout all Erie County departments by more than $550,000.
• Increased turnover account by $1,685,000, up to $2,805,000, for further vacancy savings.
• Reduced the Risk Retention Fund's appropriation for insurance charges by $2,000,000.

RESTORATIONS

• Restored cultural-tourism funding by $279,405 to provide parity to all organizations and maintain the quality of these services for county residents.
• Restored the Cornell Cooperative Extension Service appropriation amount at $280,250, which the County Executive recommended zero funding for in 2009. This allows for Cornell Cooperative to accept New York State grant funding.
• Restored the Erie County Soil and Water Conservation appropriation at $161,500, which the County Executive also recommended zero funding for in 2009.
• Operation Prime Time funding in the Youth Bureau had its funding increased by $100,000, which will allow the youth program to accept New York State grant funding.
• Created a matching grant for the Olmsted Parks with $360,000, allowing foundations and other funding sources to match upon the County park commissioner's plan.

RESOLUTIONS AND REFORMS

• Continued budget monitoring and oversight through the Budget Accountability Act. Each organization must provide the Legislature a budget that includes measurable goals and objectives. A close out report to the Legislature is due at the end of the year.
• The Legislature returned language to continue to conduct its mid-year budget hearings as part of its fiscal oversight duties.
• Added prior legislative approval to several categories, including prohibiting the County Executive from giving variable minimum salaries without prior legislature approval and authorizing the Budget Director to adjust certain grant appropriations and revenues subject to legislature approval.
• Recognized the Erie County Medical Center Corporation's liability at $5.33 million for 2009 and directed the County Executive to negotiate and propose a plan.
• Instructed the Erie County Board of Elections to stay within budget while recognizing the implementation of HAVA, and provides increases for inspectors' stipends from $132 to $145.

NEXT STEPS

• The Erie County Fiscal Stability Authority will now vote on accepting or rejecting the budget.
• Any technical amendments or adjustments to the 2009 budget may be offered in January 2009.
• The funding restoration for Big Orbit Gallery and Arts in Education Institute will be addressed by legislative resolution to be filed January 2, 2009. Big Orbit Gallery is currently scheduled to receive $15,000 and Arts in Education Institute of WNY Inc. $5,000 in the 2009 budget.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2008

WHAT: Erie County Legislature to reconvene its previous session to consider voting on the amended 2009 budget proposal

WHERE: Erie County Legislature conference room, Fourth Floor, 92 Franklin Street, Buffalo

WHEN: 1 p.m. Monday, December 1, 2008

For more information, please contact Director of Communications Kevin J. Hosey at 858-8607.

November 28, 2008

To: All Members of the Erie County Legislature

From: Robert M. Graber

Subject: Reconvening Erie County Legislature, Monday, December 1, 2008 & Pre-Session Caucus

As was announced upon recessing the Special Meeting of the Erie County Legislature this past Wednesday, November 26, 2008, the Legislature is scheduled to reconvene this coming Monday, December 1, 2008 at 1:00 P.M. for further action on the 2009 Erie County Budget as amended.

A pre-session caucus will take place at 12:00 Noon to go over the agenda prior to the 1:00 P.M. reconvening of the Special Meeting.

Thank you.

ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATURE DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY 2009 BUDGET MESSAGE

MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2008

The Erie County Legislature today approved an amended 2009 Erie County budget, accepting the amendments approved last week by the Finance, Management and Budget Committee, eliminating the county executive's previously proposed tax rate increase.

Highlights include: holding the line on property taxes, thus cutting the County Executive's proposal by about $9.5 million, while providing for essential services such as public safety, health, human services and emergency services. The County Legislature restored about $1 million to the spending plan. About 86 percent of the proposed budget is state and federally mandated spending.

The Erie County Legislature's Finance, Management and Budget Committee amended the County Executive's $1.2 billion proposed budget Wednesday, November 26, and discharged it to the entire County Legislature.

Democratic members of the committee are: Legislator Kathy Konst, chair; Legislator Robert B. Reynolds Jr., vice chair; Legislator Betty Jean Grant, Majority Leader Maria R. Whyte, Legislator Barbara Miller-Williams and Legislature Chair Lynn M. Marinelli. The Republican members are Minority Leader John Mills and Legislator Edward Rath.

The spending package the County Legislature approved was done with a surgical approach, reducing spending where possible but continuing to fund essential services as well as providing funds where possible to economic engines, such as culturals, tourism, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Erie County Soil and Water, Operation Prime Time (youth services) and the Olmsted Parks.

REVENUES

• Accepting the County Executive's assumptions of flat sales tax revenues in 2009.
• Held the line on property taxes, cutting the County Executive's proposal by $8 million.
• Voted for the County Executive's proposal, raising parks fees, with amendments, by $236,300, at the December 1 session.
• Voted for the County Executive's proposal raising Health Department fees by $40,697 at the November 20 session.
• Accepted the County Executive's proposal raising recording fees by $300,000, which will be voted on in December by local law.

REDUCTIONS

• Reduced and restructured the County Legislature's budget for personnel and non-personnel items by more than $265,000.
• Further reduced non-personnel line items throughout all Erie County departments by $3,479,407.
• Further reduced personnel line items throughout all Erie County departments by more than $550,000.
• Increased turnover account by $1,685,000, up to $2,805,000, for further vacancy savings.
• Reduced the Risk Retention Fund's appropriation for insurance charges by $2,000,000.

RESTORATIONS

• Restored cultural-tourism funding by $279,405 to provide parity to all organizations and maintain the quality of these services for county residents.
• Restored the Cornell Cooperative Extension Service appropriation amount at $280,250, which the County Executive recommended zero funding for in 2009. This allows for Cornell Cooperative to accept New York State grant funding.
• Restored the Erie County Soil and Water Conservation appropriation at $161,500, which the County Executive also recommended zero funding for in 2009.
• Operation Prime Time funding in the Youth Bureau had its funding increased by $100,000, which will allow the youth program to accept New York State grant funding.
• Created a matching grant for the Olmsted Parks with $360,000, allowing foundations and other funding sources to match upon the County park commissioner's plan.

RESOLUTIONS AND REFORMS

• Continued budget monitoring and oversight through the Budget Accountability Act. Each organization must provide the Legislature a budget that includes measurable goals and objectives. A close out report to the Legislature is due at the end of the year.
• The Legislature returned language to continue to conduct its mid-year budget hearings as part of its fiscal oversight duties.
• Added prior legislative approval to several categories, including prohibiting the County Executive from giving variable minimum salaries without prior legislature approval and authorizing the Budget Director to adjust certain grant appropriations and revenues subject to legislature approval.
• Recognized the Erie County Medical Center Corporation's liability at $5.33 million for 2009 and directed the County Executive to negotiate and propose a plan.
• Instructed the Erie County Board of Elections to stay within budget while recognizing the implementation of HAVA, and provides increases for inspectors' stipends from $132 to $145.

NEXT STEPS

• Now that the County Legislature has approved a budget, the County Executive has one week, until Monday, December 8, to act to veto any of the Legislature's additions.
• If any vetoes are made, the County Legislature can meet to vote on overriding these vetoes.
• The Erie County Fiscal Stability Authority will then vote on accepting or rejecting the budget.

Any technical amendments or adjustments to the 2009 budget may be offered in January 2009

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2008

WHAT: Erie County Legislature to conduct special session to consider a discharge of the county executive's 2009 tentative budget and reschedule annual budget adoption meeting

WHERE: Erie County Legislature Chambers, Fourth Floor, 92 Franklin Street, Buffalo

WHEN: The special session will be held at 12:15 p.m. Wednesday, November 26, 2008; the rescheduled annual budget adoption meeting will now be held at 1 p.m. Monday, December 1

For more information, please contact Director of Communications Kevin J. Hosey at 858-8607.

November 20, 2008

To: All Members of the Erie County Legislature

From: Robert M. Graber, Clerk

Subject: SPECIAL MEETING NOTICE, RESCHEDULING ANNUAL MEETING FOR THE ADOPTION OF THE BUDGET

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Rule 2.02 of the RULES OF ORDER of the Erie County Legislature, and under the direction of Chair Lynn M. Marinelli, there will be a Special Meeting of the Erie County Legislature on WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2008 at TWELVE-FIFTEEN O'CLOCK in the afternoon of that day in the Chambers of the Erie County Legislature, 4th Floor of Old County Hall, 92 Franklin Street, in the City of Buffalo, New York.

The purpose of the Special Meeting will be to consider a Discharge from the Finance, Management/Budget Committee, the County Executive's Tentative 2009 Budget, COMM. 20E-1 (2008), as may be amended.

Furthermore, there is a need to cancel and reschedule the Erie County Legislature's Annual Meeting for the Adoption of the Budget scheduled for Tuesday, December 2, 2008. Accordingly, please be advised that the Annual Meeting for the Adoption of the Budget has been rescheduled for MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2008 at ONE O'CLOCK in the afternoon of that day in the Chambers of the Erie County Legislature, 4th Floor of Old County Hall, 92 Franklin Street, in the City of Buffalo, New York.

The purpose of the Annual Meeting for the Adoption of the Budget will be to consider the County Executive's Tentative 2009 Budget, COMM. 20E-1 (2008), as may be amended.

The items on the agenda of the Special Meeting will include consideration of a Discharge from the Finance, Management/Budget Committee, Comm. 20E-1 (2008), as may be amended; Chair Marinelli's letter calling the Special Meeting and cancelling and rescheduling the Annual Budget Meeting; and my Memo as Clerk of the Legislature to Members of the Legislature calling the Special Meeting and cancelling and rescheduling the Annual Budget Meeting.

Thank you.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2008

WHAT: Erie County Legislature to conduct its public hearing on the 2009 county executive's budget proposal

WHERE: Erie County Legislature Chambers, Fourth Floor, 92 Franklin Street, Buffalo

WHEN: 5 p.m. Wednesday, November 12, 2008

For more information, please contact Director of Communications Kevin J. Hosey at 858-8607.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a meeting of the County Legislature of the County of Erie, New York, shall be held in the Chambers of the Legislature, located at Old County Hall, 92 Franklin St., 4th Floor, Buffalo, New York, in said County, on the 12th day of November, 2008, at 5:00 O'Clock P.M., Prevailing Time, for the purpose of conducting a public hearing to hear public comment on the County Executive's 2009 Tentative Budget.

The County Executive's 2009 Tentative Budget was submitted to the Legislature on the 15th Day of October, 2008. Copies of the Budget are available for Public Inspection at the Office of the Clerk of the Legislature, located at Old County Hall, 92 Franklin St., 4th Floor, Buffalo, New York 14202.

Dated: Buffalo, New York, October 31, 2008

By Robert M. Graber, Clerk, Erie County Legislature

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2008

WHAT: Erie County Legislature Finance, Management and Budget Committee to receive presentation on the County Executive's 2009 budget proposal from Budget Director Gregory Gach and report on the budget revenue projections from County Comptroller Mark C. Poloncarz

WHERE: Erie County Legislature Chambers, Fourth Floor, 92 Franklin Street, Buffalo

WHEN: 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, October 22, 2008

For more information, please contact Director of Communications Kevin J. Hosey at 858-8607.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2008

WHAT: Erie County Legislature to conduct special session to refer the 2009 county budget proposal from the county executive to the Finance, Management and Budget Committee, and consider action on addressing the projected fuel shortage

WHERE: Erie County Legislature Chambers, Fourth Floor, 92 Franklin Street, Buffalo

WHEN: 12:30 p.m. Friday, October 17, 2008

For more information, please contact Director of Communications Kevin J. Hosey at 858-8607.

October 15, 2008

To: All Members of the Erie County Legislature

From: Robert M. Graber, Clerk

Subject: SPECIAL MEETING NOTICE

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Rule 2.02 of the Rules of Order of the Erie County Legislature, and under the direction of Chair Lynn M. Marinelli, there will be a SPECIAL MEETING of the Erie County Legislature on FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2008 at 12:30 O'CLOCK P.M. of that day in the Erie County Legislature Chambers on the 4th Floor of Old County Hall, 92 Franklin Street, in the City of Buffalo, New York.

The purpose of the meeting will be to act on a Discharge from the Government Affairs Committee of an item from the County Executive concerning a projected fuel shortage in the Division of Fleet Services, and to refer the County Executive's 2009 Tentative Budget to the Legislature's Finance, Management and Budget Committee.

The items on the agenda will include COMM. 19E-16 (2008) as amended from the County Executive currently assigned to the Government Affairs Committee; the County Executive's 2009 Tentative Budget; Letter Acknowledging Receipt of the 2009 Tentative Budget; Erie County Financial Plan for FY 2009-2012; Chair Marinelli's Letter calling the Special Meeting; and my Memo as Clerk of the Legislature to Legislators.

Thank you.

ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATURE
FINANCE, MANAGEMENT & BUDGET COMMITTEE
2009 BUDGET HEARING SCHEDULE

ALL MEETINGS WILL BE HELD IN THE CHAMBERS OF THE ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATURE located at 92 FRANKLIN STREET, FOURTH FLOOR

Erie County 2008 Budget: ADOPTED

• Book A - Operating Funds (17.4 MB)
• Book B - Special Funds (9.63 MB)
• Message and Summary (4.4 MB)