HTN: County Control Board Goes Soft

The Erie County Fiscal Stability Authority has gone from "hard" to "soft". The County control board has scaled back it powers to soft advisory status now that county finances are in a better position. The past four years the control board had strict oversight of the county's books. The board gave the thumbs-up to a four-year financial plan presented by Erie ounty Executive Chris Collins, meaning the control board will no longer need to approve major financial decisions by the county. Collins hopes the change will boost the county's economy. In 2004 the county was plagued with a nearly eleven-million dollar deficit. Since then, it has turned into a 46-million dollar surplus. Control board members stress that budget gaps are still looming in the near future.

HTN: GOP Picks Comptroller Candidate

On the same day Democratic Erie County Comptroller Mark Poloncarz kicked off his reelection bid, Erie County Republicans have announced their candidate. The GOP is backing 66-year-old Philip Kadet of East Aurora. Kadet worked for 31 years at Lumsden and McCormick Financial Services. County Republican Chairman James Domagalski says that experience will help Kadet run the county like a business.

HTN: Commission Recommends County Downsizing

A commission impaneled by the Erie County Legislature has recommended shrinking the governing body from 15 members down to 11. The "21st Century Commission" also is suggesting county lawmakers run for four-year terms instead of the current two years. But the special commission did not recommend staggering the terms, so the entire Legislature would be up for re-election at the same time. The changes now head to the county lawmakers for approval. Ultimately, the issue could go to voters this November with any changes taking place in 2011.

HTN: Lawmakers have to Prove Full-Time Status

Lawmakers who win new two-year terms in Erie County this November will have some new rules to follow. They will need to prove they are full-time employees if they want to retain their status in the state retirement system. The state comptroller's office is asking elected leaders of New York's local governments to document how many hours they work over three months so they can build pension benefits. Comptroller Mark Poloncarz says elected officials should start keeping a daily calendar showing they worked at least six hours a day on legislative matters.

HTN: Collins Vetoes County Planning Board

Erie County Executive Chris Collins has shot down a proposal to create a county Planning Board. Collins vetoed the measure Thursday, saying it creates an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy. He says a planning board would only obstruct development in the county. Last month the County Legislature approved the bill 9-to-6. Ten votes will be needed to override the veto. Supporters say the planning board would advise towns on development projects and help curb suburban sprawl.

Good Morning Buffalo: Lynn Marinelli

Tom and Lorraine talk with the Erie County Legislature Chairwoman.

Hometown News: Collins Company Drops Out

Volland Electric, a company partially owned by Erie County Executive Chris Collins, has pulled out of a county contract for repair work. The Erie County Legislature questioned the timing, bidding process and ethics surrounding the deal. Collins asked Volland to forego any money they have received from the county for work already completed. Collins has also asked any company he holds a stake in to refrain from bidding on county projects, saying he wants to avoid future political attacks. An investigation by Erie County Comptroller Mark Poloncarz is ongoing, with preliminary findings due out sometime today.

HTN: County Battle Brews Anew

County Executive Collins and the County Legislature are battling again. This time, it's over a $90,000 dollar contract awarded to Volland Electric, a company partially owned by Collins. The deal was approved by the Department of Purchase and given to the Erie County Control Board for approval, without coming before the legislature. The Democratic majority there insists any contract that size should have been run by their body. But the Collins' administration insists that the County Charter does not require it, and that Volland won the business with a sealed low bid.

HTN: No Tax Break in County

County Executive Chris Collins says that taxpayers shouldn't expect any breaks on property taxes, despite new money from the federal stimulus. Erie County will get about $900,000 a week for Medicaid relief; that's about 23-percent of its total burden for the low-income medical insurance program.

HTN: County Legialators Plan Albany Trip

The dispute between County Hall and the Control Board over borrowing is now headed to Albany. Legislature Chair Lynn Marinelli and some of her colleagues plan to meet next week with State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli to try to get a decision on who is better equipped to borrow money for capital projects. Erie County needs millions of dollars to re-start stalled road and infrastructure improvements, but the control board says it can get a better deal.

HTN: County Tax Mistake may Prove Costly

As if Erie County doesn't already have enough budget worries, an error which resulted in the county undercharging multitudes of taxpayers could end up in a two-and-a-half-million-dollar cash deficit. Approximately a quarter of a million people who live in Buffalo and eight other locations were not charged enough in their property taxes. The culprit was a single line in a computer program which appeared on the tax bills. The mistake was not uncovered until January 23rd.

HTN: Bills Football Will Cost the County More in '09

While county government wrestles with budget cuts, one line on the budget will be going up. Buffalo Bills games at Ralph Wilson Stadium will cost taxpayers nearly 7 and a half million dollars next season, up from 5 and a half million in 2008. The county pays for operating expenses, stadium upgrades, and Sheriffs patrols on game days. The current stadium lease expires in 2012.

Hometown News: Judge Splits Difference in Budget Case

A state judge slashed the County Executive's proposed tax hikes by two-thirds yesterday. Judge John Michalek ruled that the tax levy must be a collaborative effort. The County Legislature's hired attorney, Paul Cambria, said that the tax burden on homeowners has been reduced by six-point-eight million dollars. Tax bills now will have to be recalculated and mailed out to residents as soon as the judge's decision is received in writing. County Executive Chris Collins had accused county lawmakers of violating the charter in their accounting practices, saying he needed to boost taxes to make up for the errors. Now the County Executive's office says it will not appeal the judge's decision.

HTN: County Budget Battle

Erie County Executive Chris Collins says property taxes are going up, even if the legislature allows his vetoes of additional spending to stand. Collins cut about 30 items he considered, "politics and pork barrel spending." But Legislator Lynn Marinelli says she and her colleagues are standing up for their constituents. If Collins' vetoes stand, property taxes will go up three-point-six-percent, or 18 dollars on 100-thousand of assessed home value. If the vetoes are overriden, Collins says that amount increase to 24 dollars. Lawmakers vote this afternoon.

Hometown News: County Budget Battle

Legislators passed a budget for Erie County last week, but County Executive Chris Collins is not pleased and plans to issue vetoes today, with legislators attempting an override them tomorrow. Lawmakers restored funding to several quality-of-life, cultural, and youth programs, while cutting over five-point-two-million dollars from the county's vehicle use funds. Collins put that revenue in the overall general budget, but the legislators have reallocated it to the Erie County Clerk's office. The final property tax rate for 2009 is scheduled to be set this Thursday.

Hometown News: Collins Battles Lawmakers over Budget

The Erie County Legislature yesterday voted 11-4, mostly along party lines, to approve an amended 2009 budget that eliminates County Executive Chris Collins' proposed property tax and gives more money to culturals. The margin is large enough to override vetoes by Collins, but he says he'll take his pen to funding restorations nonetheless.

Legislature to Vote on County Budget

County Legislators will convene within the hour to vote on the 2009 budget. The Democratic majority says it will eliminate County Executive Chris Collins' proposed property tax increase, cutting the budget by $8 million dollars to hold the line on taxes. Collins blasted the Democrats for "political gimmicks that shift problems into the future."

Culturals Face Cuts in County Budget

Taxpayers confronted county lawmakers Wednesday night in an effort to get answers in Erie County's fiscal crisis. Among the casualties may be the Cornell Cooperative Extension, and the county 4H program, along with the Penn Dixie Center. County aid to Buffalo tourism is also set to see the ax. Arts and cultural venues also stand to lose all county funding, including Shakespeare in the Park, whose Lisa Ludwig appeared on Good Morning Buffalo today: http://www.weck1230.com/News/Ludwig.mp3

County Budget Hearing Tonight

The Erie County Legislature holds a public hearing tonight on the proposed 2009 budget. The session starts at 5 p.m. at Old County Hall. Potential cutbacks to the cultural organizations will be on the agenda.

County Comptroller Sued by Construction Company

A local construction firm is suing the Erie County Comptroller's office. DiPizio Construction says it is owed over a million dollars. Owner Roseanne Lettieri says they haven't been paid since September 1st. The company is working on a project on Wehrle Drive. The State Supreme Court will hear the case.