BUDGET COMMITTEE
August 14, 2018
Probation – 2019
Budget Review
Probation Director Robert Starks attended the meeting to
discuss his 2019 Budget requests for the Probation Department (A3140, A3142,
and A3143). Mr. Starks indicated that with the retirement of a Senior Probation
Officer and filling from within, he will see a savings of approximately $20,000. Legislator Harris asked who pays the
fees for drug testing. Mr. Starks stated typically the offenders. If it is a
juvenile and the parents/guardians cannot afford it, then Social Services
provides funds to help cover the costs. Legislator Harris noted the increase in
drug testing supplies and asked if Mr. Starks anticipates an increase in the
need for drug testing. Mr. Starks stated they have seen an increase this year,
and they are trying to stay one step ahead.
Sheriff/Jail/E-911
– 2019 Budget Review
Sheriff Rick Whitney attended the meeting to discuss his
2019 Budget requests for the Sheriff’s Office/Jail/E-911 (A3117, A3020, A3110,
A3111, A3112, A3152, A3510, and A3150). Legislator Harris asked what the
$72,000 equipment purchase was in 2018. Sheriff Whitney stated it was a grant
received from Senator Young and was used to purchase a drone, license plate
reader, as well as for overtime for the narcotics team. Legislator Fanton noted
they are looking at a 4 percent increase in the budget. Ms. Ross stated some of
the change is due to the loss in revenue from housing Immigration and Customs
Enforcement (ICE) inmates. Legislator Healy addressed the $17,500 request for
A3110.421 (Education/Schools) and asked what it will be used for. Sheriff
Whitney stated it is to cover the tuition and equipment to send one deputy to the
Academy. Legislator Healy asked for an estimate on the total cost to send one
deputy to the Academy. Ms. Ross stated it is a significant amount as you have
to look at the deputy’s salary, plus tuition, plus backfill in overtime which
is time and a half of their salary. Legislator Harris asked what the cost is
for the gardening and pheasant programs. Sheriff Whitney stated the salary for the
deputy who oversees the working inmate program, adding that the equipment comes
out of commissary. Legislator Harris asked if they have any grasp on how much
the program saves versus purchasing the food outright. Sheriff Whitney stated
last year they saved approximately $25,000 in the cost of vegetables. County
Administrator Boyde asked how much time is spent on both programs. Sheriff
Whitney stated a couple of hours in the morning and an hour in the afternoon,
adding the deputy does both programs at one once and oversees both inmates at
the same time. Committee Chairman Curran stated again to new department heads
that have entered the meeting to take a hard look at their budget and see where
they can make cuts.
Health Department
– 2019 Budget Review
Public Health Director Lori Ballengee attended the meeting
to discuss her 2019 Budget requests for the Health Department (A1185, A2960,
A3645, A4010, A4025, A4035, A4037, A4043, A4046, A4050, A4051, A4052, A4053,
A4054, A4056, A4060, A4070, A4071, A4072, A4189, and A4190). Ms. Ballengee
distributed a budget summary to the committee for review. Ms. Ballengee
distributed a cheat sheet to the committee to help summarize the budget. Ms. Ballengee
indicated they budgeted conservatively for the Water Lab; however, they
anticipate to receive more revenue than what is budgeted. Legislator Harris
asked who will oversee the lab. Ms. Ballengee stated they hired a Public Health
Technician last year who will perform part-time lab work and part-time
emergency preparedness. Legislator Harris then asked if they can trust the
revenue will exceed the cost. Ms. Ballengee stated, yes, it should as they
budgeted low for water lab revenues being the first year. Legislator Harris
additionally asked for an explanation of the Preschool Program. Ms. Ballengee
stated it is a mandated program run by the State Education Department for 3 to 5 year olds that
provides occupational therapy, speech therapy, special education, etc. Ms.
Ballengee briefly discussed her staff that oversees the program, noting they only
contract with the therapists.
Office for the Aging – 2019 Budget Review
Office for the Aging Director Madeleine Gasdik and OFA
Accountant Kimberly Geffers attended the meeting to discuss their 2019 Budget
requests for the Office for the Aging (A6772, A6773, A6774, A6775, A6776,
A6777, A6778, A6779, A6781, A6782, A6783, A6784, A6785,A6786, A6787, A6788, and
A6789). Ms. Gasdik introduced her new accountant Kimberly Geffers to the
committee and also distributed a cheat sheet to help summarize the budget. Ms.
Gasdik indicated that Balance Incentive Performance (BIP) funds will be moved
from a federally funded account to a state funded account. Ms. Gasdik stated
every year she leaves County funds on the table, adding they always spend state
and federal money first. Legislator Healy asked for an estimate on
Meals-on-Wheels. Ms. Gasdik stated they budgeted $4.45 per meal, indicating
their requests for meals continues to increase, and they hope to remain without
a waiting list. Legislator Ricci asked how long the wait list is for in-home
care. Ms. Gasdik stated 86 people are waiting, 50 percent of which are in need
of services. The remaining indicate they are doing okay, but prefer to be kept
on the list just in case. Legislator Hopkins asked what services clients are
requesting and waiting for. Ms. Gasdik stated the two levels of service they
provide are housekeeping and shopping, and dressing and bathing assistance. Ms.
Gasdik indicated they don’t determine how much of a service is needed until the
client is taken off of the waiting list, adding they also remove clients off
the waiting list based on the level of need and not how long they have been
waiting.
Social Services –
2019 Budget Review
Social Services Commissioner Vicki Grant and Director of
Administrative Services Don Horan attended the meeting to discuss the 2019
budget requests for the Social Services Department (A6010, A6055, A6070, A6101,
A6106, A6109, A6119, A6129, A6140, A6141, A6142, and A6150). Ms. Grant thanked
Mr. Horan for all of his hard work on their budget, adding that he does a great
job at looking at trends and basing their numbers off them. Ms. Grant indicated
their biggest area of uncertainty is with the Raise the Age Legislation, adding
it’s difficult to estimate where they will be placed as well as educational and
medical needs. Legislator Harris asked what kinds of trends they are seeing.
Ms. Grant stated that public assistance is down slightly, and Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and food stamps are increasing. Legislator
Harris asked how they make up the difference if they expect a reduction in reimbursement
that covers an employee’s salary. Ms. Grant stated that her employees handle multiple
areas; therefore, if they are not allocating their time to an area that may be
losing reimbursement, they would be moved to another program that is receiving
reimbursement through other funding streams.
Employment and
Training – 2019 Budget Review
Employment & Training Director Reita Sobeck-Lynch and
Accountant Brian Thierman attended the meeting to discuss the 2019 Budget
requests for the Employment & Training Center (CD1 Fund). Mr. Thierman
stated their main cause for concern is salary and fringe increasing by $75,000
due to salary increases, three upcoming retirements, and a 30-day overlap for
training. Ms. Lynch stated one retirement has been with the County for over 30
years, and it is hard to replace that experience without prior training.
Committee Chairman Curran stated it’s good to think about that training because
it is critical and asked if 30 days is enough. Ms. Lynch stated 30 days will
suffice. Legislator Harris asked what, other than the necessity to train, costs
money for retirement. Mr. Thierman stated they have to budget for accumulation
of time that the employee sells back which alone costs $25,000. Ms. Ross stated
the only number the committee needs to be concerned with is the $60,000 being
requested from the County levy. Mr. Thierman indicated that is only 5.6 percent
of Employment and Training’s total budget.
Economic
Development/Planning/Tourism – 2019 Budget Review
Director of Planning H. Kier Dirlam attended the meeting to
discuss his 2019 Budget requests for Development (A6430), Planning (A8020), and
Tourism (A6989). Development Legislator Harris asked if the expense for grant
writing contracts will disappear should they hire a grant writer. Mr. Dirlam
stated, yes, that expense will disappear unless they decide to keep it for
backup should the new employee become overloaded. Legislator Harris asked what contractual
services for economic development we receive from SUNY Alfred. Mr. Dirlam
stated that contract was signed almost three years ago and it pays for Dr.
Clark’s day-to-day services. Legislator Harris asked if we pay Alfred State who
then pays Dr. Clark, and Mr. Dirlam stated, yes. Legislator Harris then asked
if his expenses associated with that contract also fall within that budget
line. Mr. Dirlam stated, no, his expenses are paid out of conference and
mileage. Ms. Ross indicated that there are some issues that need to be
discussed regarding Dr. Clark’s contract, and the committee briefly discussed
them.
Tourism
Mr. Dirlam stated the Tourism budget remains the same;
however, it appears that New York State will be giving them a little more.
Planning
Mr. Dirlam addressed the increase in his .1 account stating
it is due to adding one full-time position plus one part-time position. Mr.
Dirlam indicated they also need trainings for the new Assistant Director of
Economic Development and Planning so he can ensure everyone is trained well for
their new positions.
Attorney/Client
Session
A motion was made by Legislator Harris, seconded by
Legislator Fanton, and carried at 4:04 p.m. to enter into attorney/client
session. Immediately following discussion at 4:11 p.m., a motion was made by
Legislator Fanton, seconded by Legislator Stockin, and carried to exit the attorney/client
session and return to the regular meeting.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the
Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 4:11 p.m. following a motion by
Legislator Fanton, seconded by Legislator Ricci, and carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Meghan Washer, Confidential Secretary to the Clerk of the
Board
Allegany County Board of Legislators