AUBURN - Residents could see a bigger budget, slight increases in tuition costs and more help from the county next year at Cayuga Community College.
Representatives from the college presented a preliminary budget Wednesday during a special joint meeting of the Cayuga County Legislature's Ways and Means and Government Operations committees. The preliminary numbers show a 2008-2009 budget with just under $27.4 million in total expenses, up 7.45 percent from 2007-2008.
Included in the presentation was an estimate that tuition for a full-time student will rise from $3,254 a year to $3,400. College representatives also proposed that the county increase its annual contribution to the college by 4 percent, to just under $2.8 million.
However, these numbers are not etched in stone, said Brenda Holland, vice president of administration.
“This is strictly a working budget draft,” Holland told the legislators.
Some of the largest contributors to the increased preliminary budget include the following:
• A 118.46-percent jump in the college's equipment budget. This department was subject to cuts last year, so the college proposes purchasing much-needed equipment, Holland said.
• A 21-percent increase in heating costs, and 3.6-percent rise in energy costs.
• A 6.1-percent increase in salaries, due to recent faculty contract negotiations.
• An almost 9-percent increase in retirement costs, and a 7.7-percent rise in health insurance expenditures.
Holland also said some of the school's expenses have been mitigated by the college's attempts to create a paperless office environment with administrative software. No new positions are included in the preliminary budget for the next academic year.
CCC President Daniel Larson was optimistic after the meeting about the preliminary numbers.
“It looks good considering where we are in terms of state funding ... and considering what the economy looks like, as well,” Larson said.
In other news:
• The two committees discussed the college's recent contract negotiations with the representatives during an executive session. On April 16, the college's Board of Trustees approved the school's faculty contracts, and the college faculty association has also ratified the contracts.
The process ends with the county Legislature, which has to approve the contracts. The Legislature will likely vote at its May 27 meeting.
• The legislators discussed contract issues with Auburn Memorial Hospital representatives during an executive session.
AMH recently announced plans to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and submitted last month a reorganization plan to U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of New York.
Under the plan, unsecured creditors would be paid approximately 7 percent of their allowed bankruptcy claims. According to court documents, the hospital owes approximately $4,300 in claims to county departments.
The hospital has been operating under Chapter 11 for nearly a year, but has recently posted financial gains, including a $317,000 operating gain in March.
Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net.
Included in the presentation was an estimate that tuition for a full-time student will rise from $3,254 a year to $3,400. College representatives also proposed that the county increase its annual contribution to the college by 4 percent, to just under $2.8 million.
However, these numbers are not etched in stone, said Brenda Holland, vice president of administration.
“This is strictly a working budget draft,” Holland told the legislators.
Some of the largest contributors to the increased preliminary budget include the following:
• A 118.46-percent jump in the college's equipment budget. This department was subject to cuts last year, so the college proposes purchasing much-needed equipment, Holland said.
• A 21-percent increase in heating costs, and 3.6-percent rise in energy costs.
• A 6.1-percent increase in salaries, due to recent faculty contract negotiations.
• An almost 9-percent increase in retirement costs, and a 7.7-percent rise in health insurance expenditures.
Holland also said some of the school's expenses have been mitigated by the college's attempts to create a paperless office environment with administrative software. No new positions are included in the preliminary budget for the next academic year.
CCC President Daniel Larson was optimistic after the meeting about the preliminary numbers.
“It looks good considering where we are in terms of state funding ... and considering what the economy looks like, as well,” Larson said.
In other news:
• The two committees discussed the college's recent contract negotiations with the representatives during an executive session. On April 16, the college's Board of Trustees approved the school's faculty contracts, and the college faculty association has also ratified the contracts.
The process ends with the county Legislature, which has to approve the contracts. The Legislature will likely vote at its May 27 meeting.
• The legislators discussed contract issues with Auburn Memorial Hospital representatives during an executive session.
AMH recently announced plans to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and submitted last month a reorganization plan to U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of New York.
Under the plan, unsecured creditors would be paid approximately 7 percent of their allowed bankruptcy claims. According to court documents, the hospital owes approximately $4,300 in claims to county departments.
The hospital has been operating under Chapter 11 for nearly a year, but has recently posted financial gains, including a $317,000 operating gain in March.
Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net.
Citizen
Hot Jobs
New! Off the Menu
The Citizens' Say
Post your comment - click hereThere are No comments posted.