WAYS & MEANS COMMITTEE
May 28, 2019
Committee Members Present: P. Stockin, D. Fanton, P. Curran, D. Decker, S. Havey, D. Healy, J. Hopkins, D. Root, C. Crandall
Others Present: L. Ballengee, G. Barnes, T. Boyde, J. Budinger, J. Burdick, W. Dibble, K. Dirlam, K. Francisco, K. Graves, L. Gridley, B. Harris, G. James, C. Knapp, B. Reynolds, J. Ricci, B. Riehle, T. Ross, M. Washer
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 1:03 p.m. by Ways & Means Committee Chairman Philip Stockin.
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Legislator Decker, seconded by Legislator Fanton, and carried to approve the minutes of the May 13, 2019, Ways and Means Committee meeting.
A motion was made by Legislator Fanton, seconded by Legislator Decker, and carried to approve the minutes of the May 15, 2019, Ways and Means Committee meeting.
Approval of Audit
Committee members reviewed the May 28, 2019, audit of claims in the amount of $3,443,518.87 (including prepaid bills). A motion was made by Legislator Root, seconded by Legislator Hopkins, and carried to forward the audit to the full Board for approval of payment.
Village of Belmont Agreement
County Administrator Timothy Boyde requested a resolution authorizing the County to enter into an agreement with the Village of Belmont for the management and maintenance of Allegany County Water District No. 1 located in the Village and the Town of Amity. The contract will commence on August 1, 2019, and will terminate on July 31, 2022. The County agrees to pay for such services in the sum of $12,500 per year during the term of this agreement, and the funding is included in the 2019 Budget. Legislator Decker asked for confirmation that this agreement has nothing to do with the Crossroads development. Mr. Boyde stated, no, it is for the Public Safety Facility. This request was approved on a motion made by Legislator Fanton, seconded by Legislator Havey, and carried. Prepare Resolution
Request to Fill Part-Time Account Clerk Typist
County Treasurer Terri Ross requested permission to fill one part-time Account Clerk Typist (AFSCME, Grade 7, Step: Base – Step 7) as well as increasing the hours from 17.5 per week to 27.5 per week. This position will follow the AFSCME salary schedule; however, the position is not in the union because of its part-time status. This position is responsible for delinquent tax bill processing as well as collection of revenues. The annual salary of this position is estimated between $24,040 and $28,145 and is not eligible for benefits. This position is funded 100 percent with County dollars. Legislator Decker asked for a reason in the increase of hours per week. Ms. Ross stated the extra hours will help alleviate the workload while she has two employees on leave this summer as well as covering summer vacations for full-time employees. Legislator Decker asked if the additional funds needed are included in the budget. Ms. Ross indicated they are not available in her budget at this time; however, she will be able to cover them by the end of the year. This request was approved on a motion made by Legislator Root, seconded by Legislator Curran, and carried. Notify Human Resources
Resolution Opposing Changes in Payment of Taxes
Ms. Ross requested a resolution opposing a portion of Legislative Bills S4676A and A4863 that are proposing changes to the order in which multiple tax liens are to be redeemed. Ms. Ross stated this new Bill will amend Article 11 by changing the order in which a tax lien must be redeemed when the County holds more than one tax lien. Currently under Article 11, if there are multiple tax liens, they must be paid in reverse chronological order, i.e., the oldest tax lien must be paid first. Ms. Ross indicated that this new Bill will allow the oldest tax lien to be paid first which may result in taxpayers always being in a delinquent status. Committee Chairman Stockin asked what brought about this change. Ms. Ross stated there are some legal associations that find it frustrating that those delinquent on their taxes can’t pay off their oldest year first. The request to oppose Legislative Bills S4676A and A4863 was approved on a motion made by Legislator Hopkins, seconded by Legislator Healy, and carried. Prepare Resolution (to come off the floor at the May 28 Board meeting)
REFERRALS FROM OTHER COMMITTEES
Committee of the Whole (Excerpt from the April 22, 2019, Committee of the Whole Minutes)
Airport Funding
“Several Legislators expressed the need for more information before they could decide on whether or not to provide funding to the Wellsville Airport. They then discussed the timeframe involved in adopting a local law. Because the process for adopting a local law would likely take a couple of months, it would give them additional time to gather more information to help with their decision.” Committee Chairman Stockin stated that this request is not being dealt with as there needs to be more discussion.
Resource Management Committee (Excerpt from the May 15, 2019, Resource Management Minutes)
“Legislator Harris requested to see the name place cards changed to just show their names and
no committees listed, and they could be kept with each Legislator and put out when needed. Legislator Burdick stated that she objects as she may forget her card, or if a member came in late to a meeting they would not know what meeting they were attending.” Legislator Fanton stated that he believes the current set up of the committee name cards is working just fine. Committee Chairman Stockin stated that he has been communicating with Clerk of the Board Brenda Rigby Riehle and Confidential Secretary Meghan Washer who have confirmed the current set up is working well and are happy to see it remain status quo. Legislator Decker asked if it would help if each committee member held their name cards at their desk and brought them to each meeting. Ms. Washer indicated that it would be easier to leave it as it is and keep them in her office. Legislator Root stated that while she thinks it’s nice to have their names listed on the cards, and the current set up is working fine, she thinks it’s overkill having one card per Legislator per committee. Legislator Root suggested down the road if they ever need to be replaced, just having one general name card to put out for each meeting. Legislator Havey stated it is beneficial for people who aren’t on the committee to know what meeting they are currently attending and suggested leaving the current process in place. A motion was made by Legislator Decker and seconded by Legislator Root to change the name cards to just reflect their names with no committees listed. (2 ayes: D. Root, J. Hopkins, 6 Noes: P. Curran, D. Decker, D. Fanton, D. Healy, P. Stockin) Motion Defeated
Good of the Order
Majority Leader Dwight “Mike” Healy announced a caucus in Room 220 at 1:20 p.m.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 1:17 p.m. following a motion by Legislator Fanton, seconded by Legislator Decker, and carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Meghan Washer, Confidential Secretary to Clerk of the Board
Allegany County Board of Legislators
