BUDGET COMMITTEE
August 14, 2018
Committee Members Present: P. Curran, P. Stockin, J.
Burdick, D. Fanton, B. Harris, J. Ricci, C. Crandall
Others Present: R. Anderson, L. Ballengee, T. Boyde, J.
Budinger, K. Dirlam, L. Edwards, K. Francisco, M. Gasdik, K. Geffers, V. Grant,
G. Green, S. Grusendorf, D. Healy, M. Hennessy, K. Hooker, J. Hopkins, D.
Horan, C. Ivers, B. Kelley, C. Knapp, J. Luckey, J. Lynch, R. Lynch, M.
McCormick, D. Rahr, B. Reynolds, B. Riehle, T. Ross, T. Shaw, K. Slep, R.
Starks, B. Thierman, M. Washer, R. Whitney
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 1:02 p.m.
by Budget Committee Chairman Phil Curran.
County Treasurer Terri Ross stated she has presented the
committee with what they have at this moment, noting there are a few
departments who need to make corrections to their budget requests. Ms. Ross
added that they are not discussing .1s at this moment; they are just looking at
revenues, equipment, and contractual requests.
Committee Chairman Curran stated he has been on the Budget
Committee for a long time, and they have never asked department heads to really
take a hard look at and see if they can find anywhere to trim their budget. Mr.
Curran continued that tough times are on the way and at some point they’re
going to start losing both Federal and State aid, adding that Governor Cuomo
and President Trump will never see eye to eye, and the next two years are going
to be a real battle between New York State and the Federal Government. Mr.
Curran noted that he does not want to see cuts where we are currently receiving
aid, but our local money is where the savings needs to be seen.
County Attorney –
2019 Budget Review
County Attorney Carissa Knapp attended the meeting to
discuss her 2019 Budget requests for the County Attorney’s Office (A1420).
Attorney Knapp stated their budget is down $2,500 for 2019. Ms. Ross noted that
this department has more revenue than they do expenses, and their budget pays
for itself.
District Attorney
– 2019 Budget Review
District Attorney Keith Slep attended the meeting to discuss
his 2019 Budget requests for the District Attorney’s Office (A1165) and for
Grand Jury (A1190) cost centers. Committee Chairman Curran asked if there is
anything new coming up that is going to affect the District Attorney’s Office.
Mr. Slep stated there is a market increase in the number of proceedings that
defendants are requesting both pre and post-conviction with the most
significant being post-conviction as there is no end in sight. Mr. Slep
continued that these requests take a lot of time to answer and deal with, and
he can never fully close a case because they are always coming up with a new
motion or law to base their requests off. Legislator Ricci asked if there is
any cost to those filing these requests. Mr. Slep stated, no, the County pays
lawyers from Rochester, Buffalo, or Syracuse to handle the matters, adding
those who pay for their own representation typically don’t file these requests.
Legislator Harris asked what the $5,000 increase in office supplies is for. Mr.
Slep stated the price of books and computer research software continues to
increase, and he is short every year and has to move money around to cover the
expense.
Public Defender –
2019 Budget Review
Public Defender Barbara Kelley attended the meeting to
discuss her 2019 Budget requests for the Public Defender’s Office (A1170). Ms.
Kelley stated as the State imposes more obligations on her office, they have
finally decided to come up with funding to help them comply. Committee Chairman
Curran asked if there is any update on the Raise the Age legislation. Ms. Kelley
stated she has not heard anything new lately but is hopeful they can continue
to represent the kids in her office and not have them moved to assigned
counsel.
