By Doug Sampson
December 6, 2011
The Erie County Legislature has approved the 20-12 County Budget.
The 13-to-1 vote was a complete reversal from last year’s budget process.
Last December, County Executive Chris Collins utilized more than 150 vetoes to programs favored by Democrats, including funding for cultural organizations and the Buffalo Public Library System.
The rift was so wide between political parties, that the Democrats pursued legal action.
As YNN’s Doug Sampson reports, bipartisan cooperation this year, has restored much of the funding that was eliminated last year.
BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Erie County Legislature has passed an amended version of County Executive Chris Collin’s budget for 2012.
“It is truly a community’s budget,” said Barbara Miller-Williams, the Erie County Legislature Chairwoman. “It reflects the community’s voices. And it’s a balanced budget, a balanced budget where there are no tax increases.”
The budget calls for a 5.7 percent reduction in the County’s work force, a total of about 180 jobs. Close to 150 of those jobs are currently vacant, which means there will be about 35 to 40 layoffs.
“I don’t think we’re finished reducing the labor force of Erie County,” said Republican minority leader, John Mills. “I think that needs to be made clear both to the employees of Erie County and the residents of Erie County. There’s some tough times coming.”
The Legislature restored 65 county jobs, including an assistant district attorney, seven jobs in the Comptroller’s Office, and 50 Social Services jobs.
The budget will bring back the rodent control program and also restores $4 million to Library system, and over $900,000 to Cultural Organizations, both of which were cut in last year’s budget.
“It’s really been a tough year. We got some help, some temporary help for 2011,” said Ed Cardoni, of the Greater Buffalo Cultural Alliance. “That would not neccesarily be forthcoming again in 2012. So this is really critical money.”
District 5 Republican Dino Fudoli was the lone legislator to vote against the budget. He doesn’t agree with restoring the jobs or the funding for the culturals.
“I believe it’s the public’s responsibility to dole out the money to whatever they decide to do. I don’t believe it’s the government’s role to be funding the cultural groups.”
The budget must now be signed by Chris Collins, who released a statement following the vote, which said:
“The voters of Erie County have spoken and elected a new County Executive. As a result, I believe the incoming County Executive should be able to govern under a budget that reflects his spending priorities instead of mine, and, therefore, I will let all changes to the proposed 2012 Budget stand.”
“This was a work that was done by all involved, the current Executive, my office, and the Legislature on both sides, the Democrat and Republican. I think it’s a win for all of Erie County residents,” said Erie County Executive- Elect, Mark Poloncarz, (D).
The Legislature was able to restore jobs and funding for the culturals by completely eliminating the three million dollar allocation for the Risk Retention Fund, which is used for lawsuits against the county. Poloncarz says he will be able to secure federal grants to replenish the Fund.