April 20, 2007
Register Today for the May 2-4, 2007 Annual County Finance School
The New York State Association of Counties, the Office of the State Comptroller, and the New York State County Treasurers and Finance Officers Association will hold the 41st Annual County Finance School from May 2nd through the 4th at the Syracuse University Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center.
Questions regarding the 2003 County Finance School should be directed to Juanita Munguia by email at jmunguia@nysac.org or by calling the NYSAC office at 518.465.1473. (Ken Crannell)
NYSAC Not Differential about Differential Response!
NYSAC has issued a memo in support of the Differential Response bill, S.4009 (Rath) / A.6610 (Paulin). This bill would offer counties outside NYC the option to create and implement a new way of delivering child welfare services. NYSAC believes that the delivery of child welfare services is complex and not “one-size fits all.” Each case is as different as the families and children involved. Providing counties with the option of a differential response program appears to be a first step toward New York State examining the way in which child welfare services are delivered. NYSAC also notes that any county choosing to implement a differential response program must simultaneously address the inherent and profound significance of detailed coordination and accessibility of all involved community resources. The bill is expected to pass both houses this session. (Jessica Morelli)
I-87 cell tower deal in the works
Governor Spitzer this week said his office has reached a tentative deal with environmental groups and Verizon to place cell towers along a 47-mile stretch of I-87 North.
While details of the plan have not been developed, the Governor’s office stated that every effort will be made to put together a plan that is acceptable to all parties before going to the Adirondack Park Agency, whose policies don’t allow 100-foot towers within the park. Cell phone service provider Verizon will be erect the towers on private land without the use of State funding in exchange for the rights to market the improved service.
Increased calls for enhanced cell phone coverage along the mountainous section of highway came to head earlier this year when a Brooklyn couple crashed their car and could not call for assistance due to lack of cell phone coverage. One of the couple died hours later from hypothermia. (Pete Savage)
Commissioner of Agriculture & Markets Announces Dairy Assistance Program
New York State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker announced this week the availability of $30 million in the Dairy Assistance Program included as part of the Enacted State Budget. Applications to receive assistance are to be postmarked no later than April 27, 2007.
All New York dairy farmers who produced milk in 2006 and were in operation as of April 1, 2007 are eligible to apply. Applications will be sent to dairy producers through their cooperative or processor. Those producers who do not belong to a cooperative can obtain an application at their county Farm Service Agency office. Producers can also download the application off the Department’s website at www.agmkt.state.ny.us or request a copy by calling the Department at 1-800-554-4501.
In an effort to distribute the funds timely and fairly, the Department will establish a rate of payment per hundredweight once an application is received. The payment rate is estimated to be in the range of $.30 to $.35 per hundredweight. Payments are expected to be mailed by May 9, 2007
New York is the nation’s third largest dairy state with nearly 6,000 dairy farms and 640,000 dairy cows that produced nearly 12 billion pounds of milk annually. The average dairy farm in New York State is family owned and consists of 100 cows, producing an average of 18,879 pounds of milk per cow per year. (Pete Savage)
NYSAC to Co-Sponsor Regional Forum on Municipal Shared Services
On May 31, 2007 in Genesee County, NYSAC cosponsor a regional forum on Shared Municipal Services. The day-long seminar, sponsored in conjunction with Cornell University, the Dennis A. Pelletier County Government Institute and SUNY Fredonia, will be held at the Holiday Inn in Batavia.
This day long session will feature approaches taken by counties and other units of local government to develop shared municipal services that provide greater efficiencies in their delivery and a reduction in costs to the taxpayers. Six concurrent workshop sessions during the seminar will feature innovative programs of shared services in Highway and Bridge Maintenance, Public Safety, Public Employee Health Coverage, County-wide Code Enforcement, Water Infrastructure, and Court Administration. During these sessions, participants will be able to learn from county and other local government officials about the steps they have taken to implement programs of shared municipal services in their communities.
A representative the New York State Department of State’s Shared Municipal Services Incentive Grant program will detail the state’s experience during the first 2 rounds of the shared services incentive grant awards process and will detail what they will be looking for in future rounds at the closing session of the seminar.
There will be a nominal registration fee of $30. For more details and registration information, visit Cornell University Community and Rural Development Institute at http://cardi.cce.cornell.edu/editorstree/view/123. (Jeff Osinski)
Counties poised to celebrate National County Government Week
Counties across the country will celebrate National County Government Week next week from April 22-28. The National Association of Counties has declared energy efficiency and environmental protection as the focus of this year’s County Government Week.
“National County Government Week is an ideal opportunity for our member counties to highlight the innovative programs we provide to contribute to the quality of life in communities across the state,” said NYSAC President Lucille M. McKnight. (Mark LaVigne)
Visit the NYSAC Web site for county-specific information and publications
NYSAC’s recently redesigned Website provides an array of resources designed to support the work and efforts of elected and appointed county officials in New York State.
Visit www.nysac.org for publications, research, our legislative program, conference information, daily news articles, county histories, county job opportunities, as well as other information geared to today’s county official. (Mark LaVigne)
Next Week
The Senate and Assembly are scheduled to be in Albany in Legislative Session from Monday through Wednesday.