County shifting costs to municipalities

[tanouryjr]

Tonight was a very interesting committee meeting. The County Executive proposed a local law repealing the local law from 1983 which made the county share OTB revenues with the municipality it is in.

In this case, the city of Utica will lose over $35,000, Rome over $30,000, New Hartford over $20,000, Deerfield/Marcy over $20,000, etc.

Then, of course, we still have the so-called "Medicaid" sales tax that is NOT being shared with the municipalities to the tune of millions.

My point is, if the county wants to keep crying that they are sick of the State shifting costs, then maybe they should STOP doing it to their local governments! Unfortunately, I was the only one that opposed this legislation tonight. Although the Utica Common Council members (republican and Democrat) expressed great concern over this, the other members of the Utica delegation supported this cost shifting measure. According to a media source, the Mayor of Utica also didn't have a problem with it. With all due respect, at least Julian fought for Utica when he was there. He was RIGHT when he fought for the sales tax. He was RIGHT when he fought against EDGE. And I assume he wouldn't have let this happen without a fight either.

Every resident of Oneida County should be outraged at this hypocricy. Please, someone cover this nonsense.

[dan]

Hey Larry, where's the reciprocity for the mayor giving this amount of money up? I can't believe the governing body of the city of Utica would give up 30K without something in return from Picente.

[tanouryjr]

Great question, Dan. I can assure you that I haven't seen a single tangible thing in return, at least not one that benefits the taxpayers. I can only speculate as to why someone may not oppose the CE on such a terrible strike at city government, but then I would be accused of getting personal again. Suffice it to say that all municipalities will be losing these revenues. The City of Utica, however, is hit harder because we already receive less services from the county than the towns and villages. Even Rome receives millions for Griffiss and has some county roads. They will use the arguement that Utica receives the lion's share of Social Services, but that's not really something we're proud of. That's all the more reason that we should be focusing on helping Utica revitalize its economy.

[dgriffin]

The old stuff is just rolling downhill. From Feds to State to Counties to local towns. Get ready for more cuts in funding, but regrettably no release from mandates.
Have you had the Voting Machine fiasco up your way yet? State mandated county to take over new electronic voting computers and systems costs. The county passed the cost back to the towns, raising the town voting costs by a factor of from 5 to 10 times last year's bill. All these new electronic voting machines don't do anything for us, except displace the old perfectly working mechanical machines now rusting in a pile at the dump. And then there's the worry about vote fraud with the new system...

[Clipper]

Maybe it is time to lobby for STATE OTB legislation to protect the citizens of a county from the misdeeds of their county elected officials.

OTB moneys should be directed to the place they are generated. A uniform and fair distribution of those funds should be mandated by STATE law.

I can't believe that Roefaro is not objecting to the travesty. Where the hell is his brain and his LOYALTY?

There is a big difference between the mayor of Utica "cooperating" with the county exec, and the mayor of Utica "getting in bed with" the county exec to rob the citizens of the city.

Thank you Larry for keeping us informed about the goings on in the caucuses and meetings. We need about 20 more of you to straighten out the county government and to give it back to the taxpayers. Hang in there my friend. YOU alone are slowly converting this old middle of the road conservative independent to your side of the road, haha. I am not a fan of most of the democratic leaders and senators, but we will see what Obama has in store for us as Americans. and how he does. YOU have taught me a new respect for some of the area's local Dems and their dedication to the cause of the average taxpayer although some still make me scratch my head. Keep up the good work and keep making the information public. We appreciate your efforts.

[tanouryjr]

Dave, yes we're having issues with HAVA too. The State legislature really screwed up on that one. And the feds payed for the machines but they, of course, don't help with maintaining them over the years. These machines need to be placed in special temp regulated storage and need to be serviced regularly. Those costs will fall on the local taxpayers. I agree that the old machines were perfectly fine. They last forever and have been proven extremely accurate and pretty much tamper proof.

Thanks, Clipper. I understand and share your frustration. Quite frankly, I'm getting rather sick of the good ole boys club and them worrying about their personal friendships and agendas instead of the people they represent. They can throw everything they have at me, but I will not give up fighting for the people of Utica FIRST, then the rest of the county. I have been accused of being parochial. I have visited every part of the county and stood up on issues in other areas many times (and many times all ALONE). However, the point of a "representative" form of government is to insure that every unique area has their own representation. What would they think if our Congressman cared more about Florida issues than he did Upstate NY issues? Therefore, I take the label of being parochial with pride. I'm sick of the County destroying Utica and all that it is. Utica is the hub of this county and the largest contributor to the taxbase. It burns my @$$ that certain "Utica" officials don't stand up for Utica and continue to make excuses for their lack of leadership. My new slogan will be "Utica First."

[Ralph]

You're doing great Larry! Maybe the City should start charging the other legislators a "bullshit tax".

[Clipper]

If they ever institute a bullshit tax, politicians will support the rest of us in style and there will never be a need for a tax increase again. Larry Jr being the exception to the rule.

I am surpised that there has not been a bill submitted for an electric barn cleaner to be installed in Picente's office, and the legislative chambers. Maybe it is in the NEXT remodel at the county building. I never have been down by the service entrance and dumpsters at the county building. Is there a manure spreader parked down there next to the plow and the lawn mowers?

I can see the classified ad now for a janitor to clean Picente's office.

"Janitor wanted. Must furnish own equipment, to include a long handled shovel, wheelbarrow, and high top rubber boots. Former dairy farm experience a must."

[tanouryjr]

I did see a shovel in the CE's office. I thought it was for ceremonial groundbreakings, but maye it DOES have a more practical use, lol.

[tanouryjr]

Thank you to Skrike and New Hartford Concerned Citizens for posting this story at their sites! I was on the radio this morning talking about this issue today and it will air on Sunday.

I have also found out that the County has cut funding to the cities for Codes to the tune of $90,000. Another cost shifting measure that was included by the "three men in a room" during their political attempt to appear as if they were actually looking out for the taxpayers.

[Clipper]

I guess if the county is going to continue to cut services and money to the city, they should also consider cutting taxes to city residents that don't get the services such as snow plowing and road maintenance from the county. Gee, maybe we would be better off if Herkimer County annexed THE REST OF THE CITY, instead of Utica annexing the masonic home.

[tanouryjr]

Nov 21, 2008 11:43:24 GMT -5 Clipper said:

Gee, maybe we would be better off if Herkimer County annexed THE REST OF THE CITY, instead of Utica annexing the masonic home.

That's funny Clipper. We were just talking about that this morning.

[Clipper]

That IS funny Larry, considering the fact that I posted it in jest, ust for shock value, haha.

[clarencebunsen]

One thing that strikes me is despite our county employees being over worked and under paid, in the almost 25 years I've lived here I don't recall ever seeing a "help wanted" ad from the county.

[Ralph]

Gee Larry, if I recall the funding for those Codes positions was contingent on a percentage of time that those said officers would be doing home/dwelling inspections for the County DSS.

Who will do those inspections now?
Will DSS be sending out their own NY State Certified Codes Inspectors or will they "contract" the services of someone else?