ALLEGANY COUNTY BOARD of LEGISLATORS Organization Meeting January 2, 2007 the Organization Meeting of the Board of Legislators W
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ALLEGANY COUNTY BOARD OF LEGISLATORS Organization Meeting January 2, 2007 The organization meeting of the Board of Legislators was called to order at 2:00 p.m. by Clerk of the Board Brenda Rigby Riehle. Pledge of allegiance to the flag. The invocation was given by Legislator Pullen. A moment of silence was observed in remembrance and mourning for deceased former President Gerald R. Ford. Roll Call: 15 Present; 0 Absent. RESOLUTIONS: RESOLUTION NO. 1-07 REAPPOINTMENT OF LEGISLATOR CURTIS W. CRANDALL TO CHAIRMANSHIP OF BOARD OF LEGISLATORS; AUTHORITY TO DETERMINE NUMBER OF BOARD MEMBERS ON COMMITTEES Offered by: Legislator Theodore Hopkins Pursuant to County Law § 450 RESOLVED: 1. That Legislator Curtis W. Crandall is reappointed Chairman of this Board of Legislators, with term of office commencing immediately and expiring December 31, 2007. 2. That said Chairman is authorized to determine the number of Board members to serve on each of the standing and special committees of this Board which have been or may be established by this Board. Moved by: Mr. Hopkins Adopted: Roll Call Seconded by: Mr. Truax 14 Ayes, 1 No, 0 Absent Voting No: Kruger OATH OF OFFICE ADMINISTERED: Judge Thomas Brown administered the Oath of Office to Chairman Curtis W. Crandall, who was accompanied by his wife, Cathy, following the adoption of Resolution No. 1-07. Chairman Crandall assumed leadership of the meeting. RESOLUTION NO. 2-07 APPOINTMENT OF VICE CHAIRMAN Offered by: Legislator Dwight R. Fanton Pursuant to Rule 70 of County Board Rules as enacted by Resolution No. 77-89 RESOLVED: 1. That Legislator William G. Dibble is appointed Vice Chairman of this Board of Legislators to act pursuant to, and during the designated time periods specified in, County Board Rules. Moved by: Mr. Hall Adopted: Roll Call Seconded by: Mr. Reynolds 15 Ayes, 0 Noes, 0 Absent OATH OF OFFICE ADMINISTERED: Judge Thomas Brown administered the Oath of Office to Vice Chairman William G. Dibble, who was accompanied by his daughter in-law Celeine Easdon-Smith, following the adoption of Resolution No. 2-07. RESOLUTION NO. 3-07 APPOINTMENT OF COMMISSIONER OF ELECTIONS Offered by: Personnel Committee Pursuant to Election Law §§ 3-202, 3-204 WHEREAS, the Chairman of the Allegany County Democratic Committee has filed with the Clerk of this Board, a certificate in accordance with Election Law § 3-204 that recommends the appointment of John Colligan to the office of Commissioner of Elections, and WHEREAS, the Personnel Committee has determined that John Colligan is qualified to hold such office, now, therefore, be it RESOLVED: 1. That John Colligan is appointed Commissioner of Elections with term of office commencing January 1, 2007, and expiring December 31, 2010. Moved by: Mr. Fanton Adopted: Roll Call Seconded by: Mr. Russo 15 Ayes, 0 Noes, 0 Absent (Memo: Subsequent to approval of Resolution No. 3-07, it was discovered that line 1 of the Resolution included the wording “Allegany County Republican Committee,” which has been corrected to read “Allegany County Democratic Committee.” OATHS OF OFFICE ADMINISTERED: Judge Thomas Brown administered the Oath of Office to Elections Commissioner John Colligan, who was accompanied by his son Timothy, following the adoption of Resolution No. 3-07. The Oath of Office was administered by Judge Brown to newly elected Sheriff William R. Tompkins, who was accompanied by his wife, Carol. The Oath of Office was administered by Judge Brown to newly appointed Undersheriff William F. Goetschius, who was accompanied by his father William K. Goetschius. CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT: Chairman Curtis W. Crandall presented his message to the Board: “There are certain benchmarks in history that stand out as crucial turning points, a time when looked back on, one can say that period of time, or that action, had a great impact on where we are today. This Board of Legislators is now part of one of those benchmarks in Allegany County’s history. 2006 marked some significant historical events and actions that will be looked back on in years to come, as turning points that bettered the future of Allegany County. Some of these events and actions we had no control over. We only happened to be in the right place at the right time, and we are the ones who have been charged with the responsibility to address those issues. Our Bicentennial was one of those events. This Board just happened to be serving as this historical event took place. As we took part in the many festivities with our friends and neighbors across the County to celebrate our 200th anniversary, we were able to spend time with and visit with people we may not have if this was not our County’s Bicentennial. This Board of Legislators was given an opportunity to see the true heart and spirit of Allegany County. We were privileged to be in the right place at the right time and be an active participant in our County’s history. In 2006, we cut the ribbon and opened our new Jail and Public Safety Facility – a project that was the center of many discussions for many years – a project that struck a political nerve that this County has not seen for some time – a project that contributed to the very make up of this Board and ironically put us in the position of facing and dealing with other politically sensitive and equally important building and facility issues. As the first Board of Legislators to have a part in the operation of this facility, it is our responsibility to do all we can to work with Sheriff Tompkins, Director of Emergency Services John Tucker, our dedicated employees, and other agencies from across the County to ensure this Public Safety Complex is a tool used to its full potential for the safety and security of our citizens. We will look back to 2006 and say, “This is when it began,” “it” being June 2006 when the Office of Court Administration addressed this Board of Legislators and gave us the order to comply with the New York State Court Facilities Act or suffer the consequences of having our state aid withheld. Once again, we are charged with a responsibility to deal with an issue that our predecessors were not forced to address. Our decisions concerning this matter will have a significant impact on Allegany County, whatever they may be. I am confident that this Board will proceed in the proper manner to give this order the attention and diligence it deserves, being sensitive to public opinion, historical significance, and the financial concerns of Allegany County’s future. 2006 was the year of the cap on Medicaid. Just as we were about to buckle under this financial burden mandated to us by New York State, Allegany County’s local share was capped at $8.5 million – almost half our local tax dollars. There is much more work that needs to be done in the way of reform for the services provided under the Medicaid program in New York State. We must remember that this cap is only temporary relief and our County’s share still increases at a rate of over $200,000 annually. We must not let up joining with our counterparts across New York in demanding that a true reform and the monitoring of abuse in the Medicaid system take place. 2006 brought change in the administration of our County employee health insurance, a change that we anticipate will save in excess of a half million dollars in the ever- increasing cost of health care. 2006 was marked by a record number of special Legislative Committee of the Whole meetings. Meetings used to educate us, keep us updated, exchange ideas, and begin the ball rolling on positive changes, such as the health insurance just mentioned, grant writing needs that have been talked of in the past but not acted on, expansion in the way of planning for the future needs of Allegany County by setting the stage for the hiring of a much needed County Planner, and economic development was not only discussed, but recommendations were made and acted upon that brought us closer to getting water and sewer to the Crossroads area. 2006 brought announcements from some of our leading employers such as Dresser Rand, Alstom Air Preheater, and Tracewell. A roller coaster ride of emotions as our friends and neighbors, as well as the economy of Allegany County, were affected by reductions in wages, elimination of jobs, need for additional positions, a plant closing, and a plant expansion. When all is said and done, the good news far out-weighs the bad news, and we are facing a surge in employment opportunities. 2006 marks significant benchmarks in our County’s finances. The Budget Committee that was implemented for 2006 started early and worked hard to help us adopt a budget for 2007 with a modest tax increase of 3.25 percent, a welcome relief from what we have been faced with in recent years. It also appears that the $900,000 deficit that we began 2006 with could very well be wiped out with a budget surplus when the final figures are in and the financial books for 2006 are closed. Another first for our County in many years. Our terms as Legislators will certainly add an interesting chapter to the history book of Allegany County. It will be a good, positive benchmark in the book. This Board of Legislators has been handed some major issues and events to deal with. I believe it was for a reason – because we can. We truly are in the right place at the right time.” APPOINTMENTS: The Clerk of the Board announced that Chairman Crandall has made the following assignments to the STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF LEGISLATORS (Chairmen and Vice Chairmen are listed first): COURT FACILITIES & COUNTY SPACE