County postpones budget vote
By Donna Comella  

Last night's public hearing on the 2005 County Budget included an assortment of speakers, some wanting money put back in and some wanting more cuts.

Earlier faced with a property tax hike of 18.61 percent, county officials met last week to adopt resolutions that would take that down to an 11.18 % hike in taxes. That will mean an average County tax rate of about $9.29 per assessed $1000. But, following the hearing, supervisors opted not to adopt the $133 million spending plan they ironed out last week. They will instead meet Monday morning at 11, and are expected to make a decision at that time.

Ten percent funding cuts for the County's Cornell Cooperative Extension, the Wayne County Soil & Conservation District and the Pre-Trial Services program were opposed by many - everyone from 4-H kids and leaders, to Public Defender Ron Valentine. Each of the three agencies had representatives and advocates explaining how such 'across the board' cuts could end up costing the county (and/or the agencies) more money in the long run.

Wayne County Soil & Conservation (SWCD) District Manager Rob Williams, and others, explained the importance of the agency's projects, including flood protection and drainage relief. With a staff of 4 people, the SWCD is expected to receive county funding of $211,028 in the proposed budget.

Several, including Cooperative Extension Director Beth Claypool, urged supervisors to restore the 10% cut to that agency's county funding. The county proposes an allotment of just over $371,000 to the Extension.

Executive Director of Pre-Trial Services, Trey Lockhart, told supervisors that if they slashed his budget, that they'd pay dearly for it. He said that his agency saved the county almost $237,000 in 2003 by getting people out of jail early. Assistant Public Defender Andrew Correia concurred, telling the board that the cut may be 'the most expensive $7,000 you've ever saved.'

The county's proposed budget calls for Pre-Trial Services funding of $62,673.

There were also some citizens who wanted to see more cuts. Linda Guest of Newark said that her property taxes have doubled since she moved here 19 years ago. 'You're going to make us all put our homes on the market and leave Wayne County.'

Former Wayne County Sheriff and NY State Assemblyman Jim Hurley of Arcadia has been one of several constituents who has urged the board to seek fiscal advice and assistance from area business people. Hurley suggested forming a Budget Advisory Council and told supervisors that the budget 'needs to be analyzed' and that their monetary woes couldn't be handled with 'quick fixes and short-term proposals.'

'This isn't the way to cut a budget...cutting nickels and dimes,' said Hurley.

He pointed at what he considered costly budget items like employee benefits and the County Highway Department, and said that an advisory council could thoroughly investigate how and if money could be saved on such expenditures.

Dave Williamson of Sodus Point agreed. Owner of eight Pal-Mart convenience stores in Wayne County, Williamson told the board that the county can not attract business in its current financial climate. He urged them to take assistance in finding ways to turn things around, and warned that it wouldn't be easy. 'By the yard it's hard. By the inch, it's a cinch,' said Williamson.

Businessman Ralph Tavano, Jr. of Galen admonished supervisors and told them, 'At the rate you people are going, you're gonna force small business out...industry is leaving, our children are leaving.' He added, 'I've invested my time and my life in this county...but I can't say I want my three sons to stay here...If you continue on this road, you're gonna put us all out, and then, you're out.'

Tavano told officials that if they make the severe cuts needed, 'You're gonna make enemies. But you're not here to make friends.'

Also on hand were speakers who wanted to once again urge the board to maintain the practice of sharing $5.4 million in sales tax revenues to area schools. The Board is expected to vote on that issue at the regularly scheduled meeting, Dec. 21 at 9 a.m. The plan, if approved, will phase out the revenue sharing over a three-year span to begin in 2006.

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