ANOTHER DISTRESSING BUDGET YEAR PREDICTED FOR TOMPKINS COUNTY
Budget Committee Chair Peter Penniman reported that, if the County changes nothing in its spending plan from 2003 to 2004, it may be looking at a $6 million shortfall, or the equivalent of a 24 percent property tax increase next year. The largest increase in costs is in the area of fringe benefits for County employees due to higher health insurance premiums and a much higher local contribution to the state retirement system. The current fringe benefit rate is about 27 percent of the County's $30 million payroll. County officials expect the rate to be set at 39 percent of payroll, costing an additional $3.5 million in 2004. Other expenses driving increased costs are approximately $1 million in previously negotiated pay increases, a projected $1.4 million increase in the local cost of mandated services, and increased debt to pay for capital projects. On the revenue side, higher property assessments will yield an additional $1 million with no tax rate increase at all. Penniman stated a hope that sales tax revenue might also increase, but reported that the trend so far this year is down. Penniman also noted that shortfalls are likely in the current budget year. The County has taken no action to amend its 2003 budget yet, but may have to initiate mid-year changes to keep the budget balanced, said Penniman. Contact: Peter Penniman, Chair, Budget & Capital Committee, 387-3928. 387-5897.

OFFICIALS CONSIDER USE OF $2 MILLION FOR RADIO COMMUNICATIONS
The Legislature heard a proposal to amend the County's capital program to free up $2 million this year for equipment and infrastructure costs associated with the new Emergency Response Center and the upgrade of the entire Public Safety Communication System. The Communications Capital Committee (ComCap) has already put its unanimous stamp of approval on the plan to use part of a $3.5 million funding line in the capital program that was set aside for just this purpose. The funding will cover the cost of building a tower at the Emergency Response Center to tie it into the existing radio network, another transmission site, radio and 911 dispatch equipment and installation, and other improvements to the 30-year-old countywide system. A vote is scheduled for the Legislature's June 3 meeting. Contact: Barbara Blanchard, Chair, Communications Capital Committee, 277-1374.

COUNTY CLARIFIES ITS POSITION ON NEWFIELD FOOTBRIDGE 
By a 12-2 vote, the Legislature made clear its position on repair of the deteriorating Zenas King footbridge in Newfield, also known as the Beach Road Pedestrian Bridge. Tompkins County declared in 1998 that it would no longer support repairs to the bridge, which is no longer used for vehicles. The historic bowstring-design bridge was closed to all uses earlier this year for safety reasons. The County had agreed to provide $10,000 of labor and equipment for the bridge repairs, which are being underwritten by Historic Ithaca, the Town of Newfield, and private donors. If the Town decides it cannot afford to repair the bridge, the County is authorized to remove it. Legislators Dooley Kiefer and Michael Koplinka-Loehr voted against the resolution. Contact: Richard Booth, Chair, Facilities & Infrastructure Committee, 272-6573, 255-4025.

LEGISLATORS OPPOSE STATE RULES ON LABOR ARBITRATION, HEALTH BENEFITS
By a vote of 11-4, the Legislature sent a message to the state Assembly and Senate that it opposes passage of bills designed to apply binding arbitration when local collective bargaining with public employees fails to come to a timely conclusion. The bills would amend existing laws to specifically include sheriff's deputies and corrections officers. The majority of the Legislature agreed that third-party outside arbitrators lack knowledge of local finances and unnecessarily interfere with local control over negotiations. A requirement to accept binding arbitration is the equivalent of an unfunded mandate, stated Public Safety Committee Chair Barbara Blanchard. Legislator Kathy Luz Herrera voted against the resolutions on the grounds that binding arbitration does not increase expenses and that it can be a good solution when negotiators have reached an impasse. Tim Joseph voted against the measures for lack of adequate information on either side of the argument, he said. Peter Penniman and Thomas Todd also voted no. The Legislature also opposed a state Senate bill that would extend additional health coverage to law enforcement officers. The County contends that the benefit is prohibitively expensive and an unnecessary enhancement to already extensive coverage. Thomas Todd and George Totman did not support the resolution. Blanchard commented that the New York State Association of Counties recommended passage of the package of resolutions. Contact: Barbara Blanchard, Chair, Public Safety Committee, 277-1374.

COUNTY COMES UP SHORT ON FORECLOSURE SALE REVENUE 
County Finance Director David Squires reported that the annual auction of properties that the County owns due to the owners' failure to pay property taxes netted about $19,700, the lowest amount since 1997. The County had budgeted $100,000 in revenues expected from its auction, but found it had only seven properties to sell. Contact: David Squires, Finance Director, 274-5544.
 
 

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