Asks lawmakers to resume funding in 2012 for arts groups, rodent control, some jobs
By Denise Jewell Gee
November 18, 2011
Rodent control, funding for small arts and cultural organizations and raises for assistant district attorneys are among the items Mark C. Poloncarz wants in the Erie County budget when he is sworn in as county executive in January.
Poloncarz said today he has identified about $5 million in the county budget so far that he would like to use to unwind several budget cuts Erie County Executive Chris Collins has made.
“I believe there are certain programs, certain services that the public not only demands, but deserves,” Poloncarz told Erie County legislators today. “And I believe that, based on the information and the cuts that we think are legitimate cuts available in county government, that we can fund these programs.”
Poloncarz outlined several areas in which he’d like to see the Legislature add funding back into the proposed 2012 budget:
* Restoration of county funding for small arts and cultural organizations that stopped receiving operational money from the county after Collins cut them from the budget a year ago.
Poloncarz told legislators he supported a proposal from arts and cultural organizations to put $886,000 back into the budget for more than 30 small arts and cultural organizations.
“We believe that is doable, and I think that is something that must be done,” Poloncarz said.
* $365,000 to add seven jobs and supplies back into the budget for the county’s rodent control program.
* $335,000 for 4 percent cost-of-living salary increases for assistant district attorneys. Collins had previously rejected a request from District Attorney Frank A. Sedita III to put the raises in the 2012 budget.
Sedita has said non-union staff members in his office have not received the cost-of-living increases in nearly 10 years.
* $400,000 for “Operation Prime Time,” a summer youth program Collins cut from the budget. Poloncarz said the county’s share of the program cost is $200,000.
* $86,000 to $107,000 for salary and benefits for a deputy commissioner of emergency services that Collins cut from the 2011 budget. Daniel J. Neaverth Jr., who previously held the position, told The News earlier this month that he felt the job was eliminated as a “political attack.”
Poloncarz told legislators today the job is a “vital position” for the future of Erie County.
* $467,915 for salaries and benefits for seven positions within the county comptroller’s office that Collins had cut.
He also identified several lines — including a risk retention fund for legal settlements, fringe benefits, interest expenses and unemployment benefits — that he believes are too high in Collins’ 2012 proposal and that could be used to pay for his priorities.
Poloncarz told legislators he will wait to make a decision about 228 jobs cuts within the Department of Social Services until he meets next week with Social Services Commissioner Carol Dankert.
Poloncarz, who is currently county comptroller, has no formal role in developing the 2012 budget as the Legislature prepares its changes to the budget in the next few weeks. Collins, who proposed a $1.05 billion spending plan with no tax increase for 2012, will continue to hold veto power and could reject changes that are proposed.
The Legislature is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the proposed budget at 5 p.m. Tuesday in Old County Hall, 92 Franklin St.