RESOLUTION NO. 142 of 2011 DATED: June 28, 2011

WHEREAS, the task force that Governor Andrew Cuomo has established to evaluate and recommend mandate relief in New York State provided no relief through the recently passed budget, and

WHEREAS, the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) embraces the Governors call to reduce State mandates that dominate virtually every aspect of county government, and

WHEREAS, NYSAC has presented the Governor with a list of two hundred and eleven mandate reforms that would provide significant mandate relief while encouraging further mandate reform, and

WHEREAS, the five year average annual growth rates and expected costs in 2012, (on a statewide, aggregated basis) for the following 9 mandates consume 90 percent of the county tax levy and will increase the weight of the property tax burden significantly are as follows:

  Medicaid, increased                  2.5%,      $12 million  

  Pensions, increased                 31.0%,      $3.5 million    

  TANF and Safety Net, increased       5.6%,      $1.5 million  

  Child Welfare, expected growth of    2%,        $2.8 million          

  Pre-School Special Ed., increased    8%,        $1.2 million    

  Early Intervention, increased        7.7%,      $0.5 million

  Indigent Defense, increased          5.5%,      $0.5 million

  Probation, increased                 6.2%,      $0.55 million    

  Youth Detention, increased           6.9%,      $1.75 million  

, and

WHEREAS, as we are the administrative arm of State government, counties are in position to partner with the Governor to transform the public service delivery process in New York State,

RESOLVED,that the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors requests Governor Andrew Cuomo, the NYS Senate, and the NYS Assembly to take immediate action on the suggested Mandate Relief items and work with NYSAC to reform them to bring the relief necessary, and

FURTHER RESOLVED,that the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors requests that the New York State Government implement mandate relief to local governments now, and

FURTHER RESOLVED,that copies of this Resolution be sent to Governor Andrew Cuomo, Senator Hugh Farley, Senator Charles Schumer, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Congressman Paul Tonko and Assemblyman George Amedore.

RESOLUTION ADOPTED with Aye(1322).  Supervisors Wheeler, Baia, Quackenbush and Sweet were absent. (6/28/2011)