BUDGET COMMITTEE
August 16, 2017
NOT APPROVED
Committee Members Present: C. Crandall, K. LaForge, P.
Curran, D. Fanton, D. Healy, D. Root, P. Stockin
Others Present: L. Ballengee, D. Decker, M. Gasdik, V.
Grant, K. Graves, D. Horan, K. Hollis, R. Hollis, J. Hopkins, G. James, J.
Kelley, C. Knapp, Y. Marks, T. Miner, D. Rahr, B. Riehle, M. Washer, R. Whitney
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 11:06 a.m.
by Budget Committee Chairman Curt Crandall.
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Legislator Stockin, seconded by
Legislator Root, and carried to approve the Budget Committee minutes of July 19,
2017.
Sales Tax Report
Deputy County Treasurer Jenna Kelley distributed the 2017
Allegany County Sales Tax Report reflecting receipts through August 14, 2017,
totaling $11,726,690.40. The year-to-date figures show an increase of
$680,730.13 or 6.163 percent more compared to last year at this time.
Gasoline Prices
Deputy County Treasurer Jenna Kelley distributed a Motor
Fuel Sales Tax report for the quarter ending June 2017 stating we are up 27
percent compared to last year. Legislator LaForge stated one thing that helped
us is about a year and a half ago, Pennsylvania put in a significant gas fuel
increase which stopped people going over the state line for their gas.
Semi-Annual Budget Reports
Office for the Aging
Office for the Aging Director Madeleine Gasdik attended the
meeting and submitted her semi-annual budget report to the committee for
review. Ms. Gasdik stated everything is on track, and they will have some
savings in their personnel accounts. They received a resignation and do not
plan to fill the position until 2018 when they will know if the funding is
coming from the state. Legislator Healy asked what the position was. Ms. Gasdik
stated it was their Community Services employee. Chairman Crandall asked if our
return has increased or decreased over the years. Ms. Gasdik stated it has
increased by the fact that they receive more aid. Chairman Crandall asked if
they are receiving their revenues on a regular basis. Ms. Gasdik stated they
have not had any issues yet, adding that Accountant Vicki Pettit is very good
at keeping on top of them. Legislator Graves asked if they anticipate any bumps
in the road. Ms. Gasdik stated only if they get an increase in meal requests
for both center and home-delivered.
Health Department
Public Health Director Lori Ballengee attended the meeting
and submitted her semi-annual budget report to the committee for review. Ms.
Ballengee thanked accountant Dave Rahr for all of his work stating he does a
great job with their budgets. Ms. Ballengee stated currently their Pre-K
revenues show a $221,474 deficit; however, sometimes reimbursement can take
several years, and in the last month and a half, they have almost received all
of it. Chairman Crandall asked if they expect a lag with any other
reimbursements coming in. Ms. Ballengee stated, no, it’s just timing, and she’s
not worried about them. Legislator Graves asked if they anticipate any bumps in
the road. Ms. Ballengee stated, no, they are running consistent with their
grant funding, adding they will also be receiving some performance incentive
funds, but is unsure of the amount.
Public Works
Public Works Superintendent Guy James attended the meeting
and submitted his semi-annual budget report to the committee for review. Mr.
James thanked Fiscal Manager Yvonne Marks for all of her work, stating her
diligence is what keeps them on track. Mr. James stated that at this point in
time the County Road Fund revenues are very low; however, they have not
received reimbursement yet for some paving that was done. Mr. James stated they
are doing well with appropriations, and everything looks good. The committee
discussed the current status as well as future plans for the Historical Bridge
in Caneadea and the Lattice Bridge in the Town of Hume.
Sheriff’s Office
Sheriff Whitney attended the meeting and submitted his
semi-annual budget report to the committee for review. Sheriff Whitney stated
they will be pretty close by the end of the year, adding that he is concerned
about their over-time and medical expense accounts because this summer has had
a terrible influx of inmates that are severely mentally ill, or drug users, and
they have had to be taken to the hospital for what ends up being a two-day
stay. Sheriff Whitney continued they have also had a couple of pregnant females
that have needed to be transported several times, but the Jail staff does a
great job at getting these individuals out and into different housing. Chairman
Crandall asked if there are any changes coming in federal housing. Sheriff
Whitney stated he was told by the District Attorney, who was informed by
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that they are building a new facility
and weren’t going to house anymore; however, Sheriff Whitney has not heard this
from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Even if they are taking this
route, it will be three to four years down the road.
Social Services
Social Services Commissioner Vicki Grant attended the
meeting and submitted her semi-annual budget report to the committee for
review. Ms. Grant stated that payroll is slightly down due to the amount of
turnover, but they are close to being back to full staff. Ms. Grant stated
their daycare, TANF, and foster care numbers are down slightly the first part
of the year, but that does not mean they will stay that way. Ms. Grant stated
they still have several revenues that have not been received yet, and they are
doing very well, adding that Accountant Don Horan does a great job keeping up
with the budgets.
Respectfully submitted,
Meghan Washer, Secretary to the Clerk of the Board
Allegany County Board of Legislators
