April 18, 2008
NYSAC To Host Webinar On Latest Census Numbers
On April 22, 2008, NYSAC will host a Webinar on the impact that recently released US Bureau of the Census Population estimates will have on New York State counties.
The Census Bureau Population estimates are utilized to allocate relative shares of funding to states and local communities under state and federal funding formulas. During this one-hour session, counties will be able to learn about the impact these estimates will have on counties in the coming year. County officials will also be provided with information concerning the process to challenge population estimates that appear not to represent the real population growth of their county.
This session, which will take place from 10 to 11 a.m., will be conducted by experts from NYSAC, Empire State Development's New York State Data Center and the Program on Applied Demographics at Cornell University. This session is also sponsored by the New York State Association of County Planning Directors, the Community and Rural Development Institute at Cornell and the Pelletier County Government Institute.
Participation in this Webinar is a free service provided by NYSAC, but pre-registration is required. Click here to register for the Webinar, or visit our website at www.nysac.org.
Registrants in the Pelletier Institute will receive 1 continuing education credit towards their certificate of achievement through their participation in this Webinar.
Counties are urged to closely examine their population estimates to determine their accuracy. Copies of the Census Bureau population estimate tables can be downloaded from our website at www.nysac.org/Policy_and_Research/. (Jeff Osinski)
Albany Update And State Budget Report To Highlight Finance School
Sign up today for the 42nd County Finance School, which will be held at the Sheraton Syracuse University Hotel on April 30-May 2, 2008. It offers an array of programs designed to support county budget operations and other critical financial issues. For more information and to register, visit
www.nysac.org/Conferences/Finance_School.php.
Full Senate To Take Up Employee Discipline Mandate Bill
The Senate Committee on Civil Service and Pensions has reported S.7298 Maltese/A10345 Lentol, a bill requiring all municipalities to use independent hearing officers in employee disciplinary hearings involving potential dismissal. The bill would mandate all such hearings be subject to outside arbitration before an employer can discharge an employee. The arbitrator would have all powers of the appointing authority, under the bills provisions, once arbitration has begun. If the employer and employee or his representative, cannot agree on an arbitrator, one is to be selected from a list of 7 provided by PERB.
NYSAC has strongly opposed the imposition of this new personnel mandate on all local governments. Current Civil Service law allows local governments and their unions to negotiate enhanced disciplinary procedures as part of their collective bargaining agreements under the Taylor Law. Many counties have already exercised this option. This bill will circumvent that process, and impose these procedures on all local governments through legislation.
This bill will mandate new personnel costs for all local governments and the taxpayers they represent-both for the cost of the arbitrator and those associated with delays in the disciplinary process-as a result of the imposed arbitration hearings.
At the Annual NYSAC legislative conference this past January, the membership unanimously adopted a resolution calling upon the New York State legislature and the Governor to refrain from enacting any new personnel mandates as a first step toward achieving the reduction of the local property tax burden they all support. This new personnel mandate is in direct conflict with that often stated position of the Legislature and the Governor.
All counties are requested to contact their State legislative delegations to voice their opposition to this new, costly mandate on all local governments. A copy of the NYSAC memorandum in opposition to this bill can be obtained by contacting the NYSAC office. (Jeff Osinski)
Legislative Commission holds forum on timber theft
The New York State Legislative Commission on Rural Resources, co-chaired by Senator George Winner (R- 53rd) and Assembly Member David Koon (D- 135th), held an event this past week that brought together several individuals to discuss ways to prevent the theft of standing timber on both public and private forest lands.
The group, consisting of loggers, mill owners, state agencies and other interested groups such as NYSAC, discussed ways to amend statutes enacted in 2007, which already punish timber theft. Suggestions included requiring the confiscation of logging equipment upon conviction of timber theft.
Other areas of ideas were also discussed by forum participants, including creation of a State registration procedure for loggers, providing more resources from the Department of Environmental Conservation Law Enforcement Division and allowing land owners to sue convicted timber thieves for treble damages. (Pete Savage)
Governor establishes State Energy Planning Board
Last week Governor Paterson issues his second executive order, establishing a State energy planning board and authorizing the creation and implementation of a state energy plan. The board will consist of representatives from the major energy, environmental, economic and transportation agencies and be chaired by the Governor's Deputy Secretary for Energy, Paul DeCotis.
The board's main charge is to create a new state energy plan which will consist of drafting a long range energy policy, outlining demand forecasts for the next decade and assessing existing electric generation, transmission and distribution systems. The new state plan will also give projections for energy prices for the next ten years, study the impacts of greenhouse gas emissions and assess the links between energy, transportation and environmental issues.
The board will hold six public hearings across the state over the coming year, and report back to the Governor with a draft plan by March 31, 2009. (Pete Savage)
Spring NYSAC News
The Spring edition of the NYSAC News puts a focus on the employees who are dedicated to making a difference in their county each and every day. In addition to the hours they put in at their county position, many volunteer their time and energy to make their community, their state and their nation a better, safer place. They are true public servants; they are the face of our counties; and we thank them for their service.
The magazine was mailed to county officials this week. For a sneak peak or a PDF version, visit www.nysac.org today. (Mark LaVigne)
2008 County Directory Is Now Available
We are pleased to report that our 2008 NYSAC County Directory is complete and is available for purchase from NYSAC. To order a copy of the 2008 Directory, visit www.nysac.org/About/documents/2008DirectoryOrderForm.pdf.
Save the date for the NYSAC Fall Seminar
The NYSAC Fall Seminar will be held September 24-26, 2008 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County.
Upcoming Next Week
The Senate and Assembly are not in session next week.
