Chairman’s Column
Jim Hoffman
February 2012

From January 30th until February 1st, I and County Administrator Jim Marquette attended the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) Legislative Conference in Albany.  Of interest this year is the Governor’s proposed budget for the upcoming state fiscal year. From the perspective of county government there are some positives in the proposed budget such as the closing of a $3.5 billion gap with no increase in taxes (or new taxes), a reduction in the cost of pensions to local government for new hires and some mandate relief.

The Governor proposes putting a cap on the increases in the cost of Medicaid to counties with a cap of 2% in 2013, 1% in 2014 and a hard cap in 2015 in which counties would have no further increases in the cost of Medicaid. This is a step in the right direction.  However, a cap on increases in the growth of Medicaid does not reduce the burdensome cost of this state program to the taxpayer.

Medicaid costs were budgeted at $13.688 million in the 2012 Wayne County budget.  This was based upon the passage of a bill pending in the state legislature for a state takeover of Medicaid over an eight year period. With adoption of the Governor’s proposal, the cost of Medicaid for 2012 will now be $14.1 million. 

Medicaid is 39% of the tax levy.   We are in the process of determining exactly what the increase in Medicaid costs to the 2013 County Budget will be with a 2% cap.   More needs to be done than capping the increase in the growth (increasing cost) of Medicaid to provide genuine relief to county budgets.

On February 2nd, I attended the 42nd t Annual Police, Fire and EMS Recognition Dinner hosted by the Webster-Fairport B.P.O. Elks Lodge at Carey Lake in Walworth.  Among the honorees from Wayne County were Patrick Schmitt-Walworth Fire Department, Timothy Johnson-Ontario Fire Department, Heather Hargrave-Ontario Volunteer Ambulance Service and Rick Dunning-Williamson Fire Department.  Over 300 people attended to show much deserved appreciation for those who unselfishly render emergency services everyday.

This month the Economic Development and Planning Committee approved a resolution re-establishing the Lakeshore Advisory Committee. The committee was originally established in 1997 to review and assess policies concerning the management of the water level of Lake Ontario. The resolution will go to the full board at the next board meeting. If approved by the Board of Supervisors, the Lakeshore Advisory Committee will be comprised of the Supervisors from Wolcott, Huron, Sodus, Williamson and Ontario and the Mayor of the Village of Sodus Point.  This committee will, among others things,  encourage communications among stakeholders, foster relationships with all levels of government, review current policies including the new proposal by the International Joint Commission (IJC) to increase the range of fluctuations in lake level and build the support needed to appropriately  advance the best interest of our county.

I have received a few comments about the County’s recently adopted vending machine policy which regulates the sugar content of the items to be offered for sale in vending machines located in county owned facilities.   One of those commenting was an individual who identified herself as being diabetic. She was appreciative of the new policy because she will now have more choices when selecting a snack than she has now with current vending machines. 

The next County Board meeting is on Thursday, February 23rd at 9:00 a.m.   Ordinarily board meetings are on Tuesday but this month it is on a Thursday to allow Supervisors to attend the annual meeting of the New York State Association of Towns.