COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS
MINUTES: January 7, 2004
BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS MEMBERS: Chair: Kaplowitz; Legislators: Abinanti, Bronz, LaMotte, Mosiello, Oros, Rogowsky, Stewart-Cousins, Wishnie
IN ATTENDANCE: CE’s office: B. Randolph, A. Neuman; Budget: K. Carrano, L. Bennett, A. Vietro; LWV: B. Strauss; J. McPhillips, CSEA; K. Eddings, Journal News; J. Jordan, CNBC; BOL: H. Geist, G. Kriss, B. Boland, R. Indelicato, S. Vanderberg, T. Bernard, C. Chang
With a quorum present, the Committee on Budget and Appropriations was called to order at 10:10 a.m.
Incoming Committee Chairman Kaplowitz thanked outgoing Chairman Mr. Wishnie for all his years of exceptional leadership.
Organizational Items
With a total of 10 members including the Board Chair, who serves on every committee, it was decided a quorum of 4 members needed to be present to begin committee meetings and a quorum of 5 members would be required to vote.
On the motion of Legislator Oros, seconded by Legislator LaMotte the quorums were set as noted, 10-0.
Members agreed to a preliminary meeting time of Monday at 10 a.m.
Procedure
In an effort to ensure members have adequate time to thoroughly review all committee referral items, they will not be considered by the committee for 1 full week, unless noted as an emergency or time sensitive.
B&A staff will meet every Friday beginning at 9:30 a.m. to review the Committee’s agenda and items to be discussed at upcoming meetings; Department Commissioners will be invited in to discuss relative agenda items during the latter part of the meeting. Members were invited to sit in if available.
Focus
The focus of the Committee going forward will be it’s oversight responsibility for but not be limited to the County’s Operating and Capital budgets, A&C, the Medical Center, Courthouse, new Penitentiary, all County Departments and the next 30 days of the Budget Process.
Sub-Committees
The following Sub-Committees to the Committee on B&A were established:
1. On the Medical Center- Mr. Kaplowitz, Chair.
2.
On Mandates, Federal and State Revenue (formally Taskforce on Mandates) Mr. Rogowsky, Chair.
3.
On Capital Projects- Mrs. Stewart-Cousins, Chair. Membership to include legislators representing districts were projects are proposed.
4.
On the Courthouse- Chair to be announced, POI- 90 day mediation time limited rapidly approaching.
5.
Citizens Budget Advisory Committee (CBAC) - Resolution for next 2 years to be considered at next meeting.
Mr. Kaplowitz invited members to volunteer for the subcommittees if interest adding, non-Board members were welcomed to serve as well.
Field Meetings
B&A will be holding field meetings through-out the County on a quarterly basis. The meetings will be held in the evening, various Commissioners would be invited to attend. The purpose of these meetings will be to educate the public on the County Budget as a whole as well as the Budget Process.
Mr. Kaplowitz announced First Chairman of the Board, Herman Geist, had been appointed as a Special Advisor to the Board.
On the motion of Legislator Wishnie, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins, the meeting adjourned at 10:50 a.m.
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