March 17, 2021
Committee Members Present: P. Stockin, P. Curran, D. Decker, S. Havey, D. Healy, J. Hopkins, D. Root, C. Crandall (Absent: D. Fanton)
Others Present: G. Barnes, J. Burdick, W. Dibble, J. Donigan, K. Graves, B. Harris, K. Hooker, J. Hopkins, C. Knapp, B. Riehle, T. Ross, J. Ricci, D. Scholes, M. Washer
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 2:30 p.m. by Ways & Means Committee Chairman Philip Stockin.
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Legislator Hopkins, seconded by Legislator Havey, and carried to approve the March 8, 2021, Ways & Means Committee meeting minutes.
Acceptance of 2018 and 2019 Operations Assistance Funds
County Administrator Carissa Knapp requested approval for the Chairman of the Board of Legislators to sign an agreement with the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) to accept the 2018 and 2019 Operating Assistance funds. This is a NYSDOT Section 5311 Operating Assistance Project, Contract #C004061. The contract period is January 1, 2018, through January 31, 2022. This grant is already budgeted for 2021, and no budget adjustment is necessary. The funds have been budgeted as follows:
Appropriation: Amount:
A5630.465 Bus Transportation Contracts (First Transit) $446,329
Revenue: Amount:
A5630.4589.00 – Federal Aid – Other Transportation (DOT5311) $111,329 (2019 oper asst)
A5630.4589.BUS – Federal Aid – Bus Transportation (DOT5311) $335,000 (2018 oper asst)
This request was approved on a motion made by Legislator Healy, seconded by Legislator Havey, and carried. Prepare Resolution
Approval of Ardent Solutions Mobility Management Service Agreement and Acceptance of Funds
Administrator Knapp requested approval authorizing the Chairman of the Board of Legislators to approve an agreement with Ardent Solutions for Mobility Management Services in Allegany County. Administrator Knapp is also requesting the Board to accept the funding sources for this grant. Ardent Solutions will continue to carry out the activities of Mobility Management planning for Allegany County including administering an effective and efficient public transit system that may include, but is not limited to, deviated fixed routes, flex routes, and periodic demand response. Ardent Solutions will be compensated for the expenses incurred for carrying out the activities of the work plan in accordance with the approved NYSDOT 5311 project budget. Ardent Solutions will submit monthly reports to Allegany County and quarterly reimbursement reports to NYSDOT for operating expenses. This agreement is effective January 1, 2021, through December 31, 2024. This federally funded Mobility Management Grant C#004061 is for an estimated annual amount of $225,000. There is a separate agreement between Ardent Solutions and Allegany County for administrative support of $1,500/month or $18,000 annual which will be used for local share. This grant is already budgeted for 2021, and no budget adjustment is necessary. The funds were budgeted as follows:
Appropriation: Amount:
A5630.466 Bus Transportation Contracts (Ardent Adm) $ 18,000 A5630.468
Transportation Contracts (Mobility Mgmt) $225,000
Total: $243,000
Revenue: Amount:
A5630.4589.00 – Federal Aid – Bus Transportation (DOT5311) $243,000
This request was approved on a motion made by Legislator Root, seconded by Legislator Hopkins, and carried. Prepare Resolution
Request to Fill Deputy County Administrator Position
Administrator Knapp requested permission to fill the Deputy County Administrator (Non-Union) position. This position is responsible for the provision of additional programmatic and policy oversight for day-to-day operations. The annual salary of this position is estimated at $72,500 with benefits estimated at $28,326. This position is funded 100 percent with County dollars. This request was approved on a motion made by Legislator Curran, seconded by Legislator Havey, and carried. Notify Human Resources
Budget Adjustment to Increase Sales Tax Projection for 2021
County Treasurer Terri Ross requested a resolution approving a 2021 Budget Adjustment to increase our sales tax projection for 2021 to more closely reflect our receipts of sales tax and to appropriate that increase to contingency for future use by the Board for 2021. The 2021 Budget Adjustment is as follows:
Expense: Amount:
A1990.429 Contingency $750,000
Revenue: Amount:
A1340.1110.00 Sales Tax $750,000
Legislator Barnes stated while we are projecting to get more than what we budgeted, there are other areas such as housing inmates that are probably not going to meet their revenues and asked if that has been taken into consideration. Ms. Ross stated they took that into consideration when they built the 2021 Budget and greatly reduced the housing inmate’s revenue, adding if it were to change, they’ll see a big increase in revenue. Ms. Ross continued she feels comfortable with our 2021 numbers based on the agreement the Sheriff has with housing inmates. Committee Chairman Stockin stated as they move forward, they’ll see more adjustments that are all to the good. This request was approved on a motion made by Legislator Decker, seconded by Legislator Healy, and carried. Prepare Resolution
Budget Adjustment to Fund (3) Positions in the District Attorney’s Office
Ms. Ross requested a resolution approving a 2021 Budget Adjustment for the multiple positions ((1) Assistant District Attorney; (2) Senior Typists) that have been approved in the District Attorney’s Office but have not been funded. The funding is requested from Contingency, and we are requesting the salaries be budgeted at a percentage of the annual salary. The total request for the remaining nine months of the year is $112,500. The 2021 Budget Adjustment is as follows:
| From: | Amount: | |
| A1990.429 | Contingency | $ 12,500 |
| A1990.431 | Contingency | $100,000 |
| To: A1165.1.01 | Regular Pay | Amount: $112,500 |
This request was approved on a motion made by Legislator Healy, seconded by Legislator Decker, and carried. Prepare Resolution
Annual Tax Sale Auctioneer Proposal
Ms. Ross requested permission to seek proposals for the Annual Tax Sale Auctioneer. Ms. Ross stated they have been very satisfied with our current auctioneer; however, they have not gone out to bid for a new one in a long time. This request was approved on a motion made by Legislator Havey, seconded by Legislator Curran, and carried.
Permission to Bid Project Manager
Ms. Ross requested permission to go out to bid for a project manager. Ms. Ross stated in light of the American Rescue Plan, there are a lot of moving parts, and she would like to contract with someone to be our lead, answer questions, and make sure we’re getting everything we can from the package. Legislator Graves asked if this will be an independent contractor or current employee. Ms. Ross stated she cannot answer that question at this point in time; however, she will be coming back to committee before any decision is made. This request was approved on a motion made by Legislator Root, seconded by Legislator Hopkins, and carried.
Amendment of Great Lakes Cheese Resolution No. 79-21
Administrator Knapp requested permission to correct an error in Resolution No. 79-21 regarding Great Lakes Cheese. She does not believe a new resolution is required; however, due to the significance of the resolution, she wanted to make the Board aware. Legislator Harris asked what the error was. Administrator Knapp indicated that Buffalo Niagara Partnership (BNP) should have said Invest Buffalo Niagara. This request was approved on a motion made by Legislator Havey, seconded by Legislator Curran, and carried.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 2:41 p.m. following a motion by Legislator Havey, seconded by Legislator Curran, and carried.
