Archive: News

Legislature Briefed on State Budget Process
At his first Legislature meeting as County Administrator, Joe Mareane updated Legislators on when the State will begin to address a projected $2 billion budget gap for the current fiscal year, a situation which could affect State support for County programs.  Following up a memo distributed this week to department heads and elected officials, Mr. Mareane reported that the State Legislature  will be called back to Albany November 18 to address the deficit and lay the groundwork for a 2009-10 budget, to be released in December, which could contain a $13 billion budget gap.  

While he said there are potentially hopeful signs that the State may respect the request of counties that it maintain a “hands off” policy regarding uncontrollable cuts to mandated programs that simply shift costs to counties, the administrator cautioned that this situation demands “the collective intelligence of this government” to navigate through what will be a very difficult situation. 

Administrator Mareane has urged open, and open-minded, communication within the administration, and between the administration and Legislature, so that county government can craft the best possible plan of action.  He has asked that departments exercise restraint in year-end spending and said that he and Legislature Chair Mike Koplinka-Loehr will work to initiate meetings with the County’s State legislators to voice the County’s concerns about cost-shifting and about how such cost-shifts would affect County programs.


Legislators Honor Former Chair “Sam” MacNeil
County Legislators observed a moment of silence to honor Hugh “Sam” MacNeil, who passed away October 30.  Mr. MacNeil represented the Town of Ithaca (R-District 12) on the county Board of Representatives from 1970-78 and chaired the County Board from 1976-78, before his election to the New York State Assembly, where he represented Tompkins, Seneca and Yates Counties from 1979-88. 

Chair Mike Koplinka-Loehr called MacNeil “a mentor to many” through his government and community service, and said he will be “deeply missed.”  Legislator Frank Proto praised the former chair as “always a gentleman” and a “very active legislator” who established many of the standing committees the Legislature has today.  Legislator Jim Dennis joked that he actually helped MacNeil leave county government, since Dennis ran unsuccessfully against him for the State Assembly.  Dennis said MacNeil became a friend, and he praised the former chair as a “very interesting man (who) served wonderfully in Tompkins County.”


State Provides Funding for New Community Treatment Facility
The Legislature, without dissent (Legislators Mike Sigler and Tyke Randall were absent), approved an adjustment to the Mental Health Services budget which incorporates more than $350,000 in state funding to support expenses associated with the long-awaited Single Room Occupancy Community Residence for individuals with mental illness in Tompkins County.  As a contract service provider with the County, Lakeview Mental Health Services provides residential-based treatment services at the new facility, located on Third Street in Ithaca.  The New York State Office of Mental Health funding supports direct care for residents, mortgate debt service, and program development costs.


Among other actions, legislators

• Offered comments on the outcome of yesterday’s U.S. presidential election – including congratulations to President-Elect Obama and Vice President-Elect Biden; thanks to everyone who worked on all campaigns; appreciation to voters who achieved an estimated 71 percent voter turnout; and special thanks to the County Board of Elections and its many community voluteers for their hard work.

• Asked for public comment on county needs, priorities and possible projects associated with the 2009 New York State Community Renewal Community Development Block Grant Program.  No members of the public attended the hearing.

----
v4i43