AUBURN - If the 2008 Cayuga County budget is going to come down to pennies, some legislators would rather start scrutinizing now.

The Legislature narrowly defeated a resolution that would convert a part-time secretarial position to full-time at a meeting Tuesday.

The motion to change a part-time senior typist position to a full-time paralegal in the county attorney's office did not garner a two-thirds majority from the gathering of 12 legislators that voted 7-5 in support.

“This is not the time to be tying our hands by adding jobs before we get a chance to take a look at that budget,” said David Pappert, R-Auburn, referring to next year's tentative budget that's due out in a few weeks.

Pappert said he would be willing to keep the senior typist position open temporarily and hash the paralegal option out during budget discussions. County attorney Fred Westphal had planned to use the resignation as an opportunity to hire a paralegal, which would better serve the office.

“I won't support this position until we see the tentative budget,” said Peter Tortorici, R-Auburn. “We should look at the whole picture, not start picking and choosing which jobs we create.”

Legislator Daniel Schuster, D-Auburn, said the future of the position should be decided soon so that work does not pile up in the absence of a secretary. Westphal added it could be difficult to fill a temporary position only guaranteed for three months.

“In this case we have to decide if we will have a full-time or part-time position right now ... so that office isn't getting backlogged,” Schuster said.

Michele Sedor, D-Sennett; Michael Lepak, D-Auburn; and legislature Chairman George Fearon, R-Springport, voted no along with Pappert and Tortorici. A motion to table the resolution was defeated prior to the vote.

Staff writer Shane Liebler can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or shane.liebler@lee.net