BUDGET COMMITTEE
October 17, 2018
Committee Members Present: P. Curran, P. Stockin, J.
Burdick, B. Harris, J. Ricci, C. Crandall (Absent: D. Fanton)
Others Present: L. Ballengee, G. Barnes, T. Boyde, C.
Braack, B. Budinger, D. Decker, W. Dibble, K. Dirlam, M. Gasdik, K. Geffers, K.
Graves, L. Gridley, S. Havey, M. Healy, J. Henry, J. Hopkins, D. Horan, L.
Hunsberger, G. James, C. Knapp, D. Rahr, B. Riehle, D. Root, T. Ross, S.
Torrey, M. Washer, R. Whitney
Media Present: C. Potter – Wellsville Daily Reporter
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 1:02 p.m.
by Budget Committee Chairman Phil Curran.
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Legislator Stockin, seconded by
Legislator Ricci, and carried to approve the Budget Committee minutes of
September 19, 2018.
Sales Tax Report
County Treasurer Terri Ross distributed the 2018 Allegany
County Sales Tax Report reflecting receipts totaling $16,639,279.32. The
year-to-date figures show an increase of $1,251,809.97 or 8.135 percent more
compared to last year at this time. Ms. Ross distributed a report showing sales
tax data specific to Allegany County for the period of March 2013 to February
2018. As of February 2018, Allegany County’s top 5 contributors to sales tax
are as follows:
Rank Category Taxable Sales
1 Automobile Dealers $72,799,812
2 Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution
$36,017,257
3 Gasoline Stations $33,528,055
4 Restaurants and Other Eating Places $28,353,014
5 Grocery Stores $27,574,752
Ms. Ross stated those top 5 remained relatively the same
throughout the years, adding that internet sales have steadily increased over
the years, and currently the County has received $11,057,656 in sales tax on
electronic shopping and mail-order houses. Ms. Ross indicated that number is
about half of what the County should be receiving due to online marketplaces
that don’t currently pay sales tax.
“Big 5” Third Quarter Budget Reports
Office for the Aging
Office for the Aging Director Madeleine Gasdik and
Accountant Kimberly Geffers attended the meeting and submitted their third
quarter budget report to the committee for review. Ms. Gasdik stated with the
exception of suggested contributions and cost share being lower than expected,
their budget is right on track. Ms. Gasdik introduced her new accountant
Kimberly Geffers stating her biggest concern was losing her accountant of 30
years; however, there hasn’t been any noticeable changes as Ms. Geffers does an
excellent job and knows the grants well. Ms. Gasdik indicated that they are
having a little trouble with volunteer mileage, and they have made some
changes, but having clients on dialysis needing to travel to Olean five days a
week gets costly. Committee Chairman Curran asked if there are ways to work
with another group to save on costs. Ms. Gasdik stated that Faith in Action
will help them out, and they always refer the clients to use bus, family,
and/or friends first for travel arrangements. Legislator Harris asked if Faith
in Action requires reimbursement for mileage, and Ms. Gasdik stated, no.
Health Department
Public Health Director Lori Ballengee and Accountant Dave
Rahr attended the meeting and submitted their third quarter budget report to
the committee for review. Ms. Ballengee acknowledged and thanked Mr. Rahr for
all of his hard work on their budget. Ms. Ballengee stated that since first
quarter they have received $1,268,000 in revenue for A2960-Special
Education/PHC. A4035 – Family Planning is only at 64.9 percent revenue
received; however, because they are only using contracted providers at this
time, every new provider needs to go through a lengthy certification process,
and they are at a delay receiving the reimbursement. A4190 – WIC revenue is
reflecting 49.8 percent received, and Ms. Ballengee indicated that program is
also at a delay due to new changes happening in the program. Ms. Ballengee
stated that A1185 – Medical Examiner and Coroners is the only line item over
budget; however, it is only 3.3 percent over.
Department of Public
Works
Public Works Deputy Superintendent II Justin Henry attended
the meeting and submitted his third quarter budget report to the committee for
review. Mr. Henry acknowledged and thanked Fiscal Manager Yvonne Marks for all
of her hard work on their budgets. Mr. Henry stated they budgeted $5.7 million
in revenue and have received 89 percent so far, adding they budgeted $15
million in appropriations and have expended 70 percent. Legislator Stockin
asked if the overtime being accrued is due to a position not being filled, and
Mr. Henry stated, yes.
Sheriff’s Office
Sheriff Whitney attended the meeting and submitted his third
quarter budget report to the committee for review. Sheriff Whitney indicated
they should be close to projections. Legislator Ricci addressed the overtime
being more than projected by $233,690 and asked for a reason why it’s so much.
Sheriff Whitney stated that their Accountant Randy Hartwick handles their
projections and is unsure of how he calculates it, but they anticipate needing
an extra $233,690. Sheriff Whitney indicated that Mr. Hartwick has made some
adjustments, and they should not need to ask for more than that amount.
Legislator Stockin stated in looking at past years’ budgets, it appears
overtime is always over by that approximate amount, and in seeing that pattern,
asked why they aren’t budgeting better for that line item. Sheriff Whitney
stated they ask for what they think they will need. Legislator Stockin stated
they need to figure out a way to reduce the overtime cost, and not just fill in
what they need. Sheriff Whitney indicated that a lot of the overtime in 2018 is
covering Dispatcher Russ Hall’s position as he was pulled away to handle the
911 enumeration project. Committee Chairman Curran asked if Mr. Hall is being
paid overtime for the 911 enumeration project. Sheriff Whitney stated, no, Mr.
Hall is working full-time on the project; however, the coverage of his position
in Dispatch is being paid overtime. Committee Chairman Curran stated the
enumeration project is going to take a while, and asked why they aren’t
backfilling his position and not continuing to pay overtime to cover it.
Sheriff Whitney stated it is because they would need to create positions to
accomplish that. County Administrator Timothy Boyde indicated that they need to
have further discussions regarding the issue.
Department of Social
Services
Director of Administrative Services Don Horan attended the
meeting and submitted his third quarter budget report to the committee for
review. Mr. Horan stated their budget looks in line with projections, and they
are in good shape. Mr. Horan indicated that he did add a line item in the
amount of $100,000 for the Raise the Age eleven county consortium, adding they
have started to see some expenditures for it.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the
Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 1:34 p.m. following a motion by
Legislator Ricci, seconded by Legislator Stockin, and carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Meghan Washer, Confidential Secretary to the Clerk of the
Board
Allegany County Board of Legislators
