County still hammering out budget
By Donna Comella

Following a 45-minute public hearing last night, the Wayne County Board of Supervisors defeated the proposed 2004 budget.

The original tentative spending plan of $126 million called for using $5.6 million in surplus funds to keep the property tax increase to about 63 cents per $1000 of assessed valuation. Some supervisors were not happy with that and proposed adding another $2.3 million surplus to keep the tax rate at its current $8.34. That's the way things stood after last month's regular board meeting.

Last night, the board heard a budget overview from Fiscal Officer Keith Kubasik. After looking at mandatory increases in spending, Kubasik warned of a bleak 2005: a 20-plus % increase in Medicaid; no decrease in retirement costs; double-digit increases in health insurance costs; level or decreasing revenues; and little or no surplus fund balance. Kubasik told supervisors that they need to start immediately to consider remedies to hold off a double-digit property tax hike for next year.

The public hearing was a steady stream of citizens who opposed a 10 percent cut to county libraries; the elimination of three Home Health aids; and cutting the Historian's only full-time staff person.

When it came time to vote on the budget, Finance Committee Chair Don Colvin presented the resolution and then told why he would vote against it. 'I'm not going to vote for this because I think we're using too much surplus.'

Kubasik had earlier told the board that they would be left with $22 million in surplus funds if they adopted the budget as it stood. Several supervisors had previously expressed concern with having enough cash flow to conduct business.

Rose Supervisor Carm Pascarella said that he, too, would vote against the budget. He said he couldn't support the staffing cuts in the Historian's office and at Public Health.

Arcadia Supervisor Joe DeSanto agreed with Colvin about the need for surplus cash and weighed in on the 'vote no' side, too .

Lyons Supervisor Jim Fabino stood to say that he, too, would vote against the budget. He gave his reasons as the staffing cuts at Public Health and the board's overall spending habits.

Williamson Supervisor Tom Wetherell, who will not be returning to office in January, said that although he agreed with Colvin, he would support the budget. He also suggested that the board adopt a policy that would require a minimum of $20 million in surplus funds be left in the coffers at all times.

It was then that Sodus Supervisor Donna Chittenden stated her opposition to the budget and offered a resolution to use $2 million less in surplus funds, which would raise the tax rate 50 to 55 cents. Colvin quickly offered his support of the resolution and it was on the floor. DeSanto asked for a recess to consider the proposal. When business resumed, the resolution failed.

Walworth's Frank Guelli suggested that the board needed more time to discuss 'unresolved issues.' But Palmyra Supervisor Dave Lyon reminded the board that Colvin had presented a resolution to vote on the budget. He said to Chairman Marv Decker, 'Call the question,' and a roll call began. The budget went down, with only four supervisors voting 'yes.'

The board then began to hammer out some meeting times, keeping in mind that if a budget is not adopted by December 20, the proposed budget would automatically become the 2004 spending plan.

The Finance Committee will meet Monday morning at 10:30 a.m. The full board will discuss the budget following its regular Tuesday agenda, and then the board will convene again at 11 a.m. Thursday (Dec. 18) to hear any further public comment.

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