Each Thursday, we put one of our local newsmakers On The Spot. This week: Cayuga County Manager Wayne Allen

This week's question: What has been your biggest disappointment and your biggest achievement since starting your job a little more than a year ago?

I have been asked to identify the challenges and successes that I have experienced since I arrived in Cayuga County 13 months ago.

Let me preface my remarks by saying, all counties in New York face similar obstacles and impediments. The most notable impediment to any county is state government. I do not believe the local taxpayer is cognizant of the fact that 80 percent of their county real property tax dollars is controlled by the state Legislature and the governor.

It is nearly one year from the day the county formed a committee to look at municipal financial software solutions.

The county's present financial software is outdated and prone to errors. In order to move the county forward, it is necessary to purchase and install a state--of-the-art financial software package.

I am proud to say the county has approved the purchase of a financial software solution that will meet the needs of today and the next 20 years.

This will significantly improve and enhance the way the county does its business so that the county government is more transparent and accessible to the county taxpayer.

There have been a number of recommendations and proposals that I have made to the county Legislature that would save tax dollars.

I had an aggressive agenda when I arrived. The areas the county should continue to focus its attention on are the capital improvement plan, workers' compensation, internal controls, part-time county auditor and mental health services.

While the county has not reached a resolution for any of these recommendations, they are now on the front burner for 2008.

I have identified a large scope of work that deserves the county Legislature's attention.

While the challenges are considerable, the solutions are attainable.

I look forward to the new year working with the county Legislature, county department heads and all county employees to make the county a better place to work and live.