By Joyce Kryszak
Buffalo, NY – The Erie County Fiscal Stability Authority Tuesday began a massive review of budget deficits and ways to close them.
Control board members called it an historic moment. There is finally agreement on the deficit numbers. But they aren't pretty. Nearly $107 million in 2005, to more than $180 million by 2009. So, the hard work now begins to close them.
More than 200 cost saving proposals are on the table. They include everything from lowering labor contracts to adding new fees. A full four-year plan, with any cost saving initiatives included, is due to the Legislature by September 12th. Board Chairman Ned Regan believes it can be done.
"Voices have been lowered. There is a degree of recognition of the problem. The numbers have been agreed upon. The platform for curing the problems has been established," said Regan.
Meetings were to begin immediately with County Executive Joel Giambra to sift through initiatives. Overseeing those discussions will be former State Senate financial analyst Lee Van Riper. He was named Tuesday as acting Executive Director for the Control Board, pending his permanent appointment.
Also still ahead -- a decision must be made about how to divvy up proceeds from the tobacco bond deal. Board members say about $70 million will go toward cash flow needs. But Board Vice Chair David Campbell says all decisions will be what's best for Erie County.
"It's going to be the cheapest approach to take, the most logical approach to take. That's the reason we can't just say today, here's exactly what we're going to do," said Campbell. "We have to look at the alternatives as to what's best for Erie County and make that decision."
He says that may include adding back some positions, with offsetting cuts in other areas. Big question marks still remain about the impact of subsidies to the Erie County Medical Center. Officials there so far are cooperating with information. But bracing for possible storms ahead, the Board is requesting the state make ECMC legally obligated to coordinate financial plans.