AUBURN - With at least one more work session to go, Cayuga County's chief committee has shaved the tentative 2008 tax levy increase by more than a percentage point.
A $136.4 million budget was unveiled Nov. 1. Since then, the Legislature's Ways and Means Committee has removed about $465,000 from the initial $33.5 million tax levy, an increase of 5.8 percent over this year.
The work sessions were relatively quiet until Thursday, when committee members slashed about $355,000, mostly from the Building and Grounds Department budget. Legislators negotiated lower appropriations for each of the four county buildings' asbestos removal and renovation funds.
The budget lines ranged from $20,000 to $90,000 for renovation, asbestos and lead removal and the relevant professional services. A decision to leave each building with $15,000 for removal and $10,000 for renovation saved about $415,000.
Legislators also established a $100,000 contingency fund to use on unforeseen projects. County Manager Wayne Allen had recommended the increases for removal projects based on this year's costs far exceeding the budget.
“I don't mind having some money set aside, but to have a half million set aside in case something comes up or to do construction projects we haven't even discussed yet - That's a lot of money,” said David Pappert, R-Auburn, a former Ways and Means chairman who does not currently sit on the committee.
County legislators will also consider a five-year, $75 million capital improvement plan this year. Regular maintenance could help avoid some the emergency expenses the county experienced this year.
“When we do that, we're not going to be spending money on these emergency situations,” said Ways and Means member Daniel Schuster, D-Auburn. “I don't want to start fixing some of these things if in 2009 we're going to do a bigger project.”
The committee is formulating and prioritizing recommendations for the full legislature to consider before offering a proposed budget at a public hearing in December. However, Ways and Means still has about a half-dozen departments left to hear from at its upcoming Tuesday meeting.
Chairman Paul Dudley may call another meeting to deal with about positions various department heads would like to add.
“We're right on target,” Dudley said, praising the work of the county manager, who crafted his first budget for the county this year. “We've had more information and accurate information and that's all from Wayne Allen.
“The budget has gotten a lot more detail,” the 12-year legislator in his final term said. “I can say the discussion has been very thorough and everyone's been down in the trenches and had an opportunity to say their piece.”
Legislators eliminated $130,000 for Jail and Treasurer Department software, $35,000 for a Emergency Management Office vehicle and $25,000 from a Planning Department feasibility project. They also added $200,000 to the Sheriff's Department budget to equip deputies with global positioning devices.
“I can tell you that no matter how much work and preparation you do for the budget, when it comes down to the vote, there's always going to be one or two legislators who are going to argue for more cuts,” Dudley said.
Legislature Chairman George Fearon, R-Springport, anticipates more cuts and increased revenue projections, particularly through a gas sales tax cap repeal that Ways and Means will discuss next week.
“My own thought is we've got to get it down to where it doesn't impact the levy more than 3 percent,” he said.
In addition to sales tax revenue, legislators have not yet touched the fund balance. The tentative budget uses $1.7 million in unexpended funds compared to about $2.6 million used this year.
Fearon is also pushing to dedicate funds to an emergency radio system upgrade. The antiquated system recently failed and left E-911 without its most essential function for a few hours.
Staff writer Shane Liebler can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or shane.liebler@lee.net
Paying at the pump?
County
lawmakers may repeal a cap now in place on gasoline taxes.
Page A9
The work sessions were relatively quiet until Thursday, when committee members slashed about $355,000, mostly from the Building and Grounds Department budget. Legislators negotiated lower appropriations for each of the four county buildings' asbestos removal and renovation funds.
The budget lines ranged from $20,000 to $90,000 for renovation, asbestos and lead removal and the relevant professional services. A decision to leave each building with $15,000 for removal and $10,000 for renovation saved about $415,000.
Legislators also established a $100,000 contingency fund to use on unforeseen projects. County Manager Wayne Allen had recommended the increases for removal projects based on this year's costs far exceeding the budget.
“I don't mind having some money set aside, but to have a half million set aside in case something comes up or to do construction projects we haven't even discussed yet - That's a lot of money,” said David Pappert, R-Auburn, a former Ways and Means chairman who does not currently sit on the committee.
County legislators will also consider a five-year, $75 million capital improvement plan this year. Regular maintenance could help avoid some the emergency expenses the county experienced this year.
“When we do that, we're not going to be spending money on these emergency situations,” said Ways and Means member Daniel Schuster, D-Auburn. “I don't want to start fixing some of these things if in 2009 we're going to do a bigger project.”
The committee is formulating and prioritizing recommendations for the full legislature to consider before offering a proposed budget at a public hearing in December. However, Ways and Means still has about a half-dozen departments left to hear from at its upcoming Tuesday meeting.
Chairman Paul Dudley may call another meeting to deal with about positions various department heads would like to add.
“We're right on target,” Dudley said, praising the work of the county manager, who crafted his first budget for the county this year. “We've had more information and accurate information and that's all from Wayne Allen.
“The budget has gotten a lot more detail,” the 12-year legislator in his final term said. “I can say the discussion has been very thorough and everyone's been down in the trenches and had an opportunity to say their piece.”
Legislators eliminated $130,000 for Jail and Treasurer Department software, $35,000 for a Emergency Management Office vehicle and $25,000 from a Planning Department feasibility project. They also added $200,000 to the Sheriff's Department budget to equip deputies with global positioning devices.
“I can tell you that no matter how much work and preparation you do for the budget, when it comes down to the vote, there's always going to be one or two legislators who are going to argue for more cuts,” Dudley said.
Legislature Chairman George Fearon, R-Springport, anticipates more cuts and increased revenue projections, particularly through a gas sales tax cap repeal that Ways and Means will discuss next week.
“My own thought is we've got to get it down to where it doesn't impact the levy more than 3 percent,” he said.
In addition to sales tax revenue, legislators have not yet touched the fund balance. The tentative budget uses $1.7 million in unexpended funds compared to about $2.6 million used this year.
Fearon is also pushing to dedicate funds to an emergency radio system upgrade. The antiquated system recently failed and left E-911 without its most essential function for a few hours.
Staff writer Shane Liebler can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or shane.liebler@lee.net
Paying at the pump?
County
lawmakers may repeal a cap now in place on gasoline taxes.
Page A9
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