County Charter Changes Take Effect

New City, NY (November 25, 2014) - Changes to the Rockland County Charter, developed with the bi-partisan support of members of the County Legislature, and the input of the County Executive and his staff, took effect on November 24, 2014. Despite a veto by County Executive Day, which the Legislature overrode, and the County’s Executive’s public campaign against the charter changes, nearly sixty percent of Rockland voters opted for the reform.

The local law, sponsored by Chairman of the Legislature Alden H. Wolfe, is structured to improve the efficiency of the annual budget process, increase fiscal oversight and enhance the systems of checks and balances between branches of government.

Chairman Wolfe said, “I am encouraged that Rockland voters overwhelmingly saw the value of the charter reform to improve the way we run government. I am grateful to the people of Rockland for approving this reform.” Legislator Michael Grant, Chair of the Budget & Finance Committee, agreed, stating, “The public understood the intent and the importance of the charter change. Of significance, is the increased fiscal oversight and added time the Legislature will have to review the County Executive’s annual budget proposal.”

Major components of the law include:

• Improved Efficiency in the Annual Budget Process - The County Executive now must submit the budget three weeks earlier than in the past. The intent is to give all parties involved more time to deliberate.
• Approval of Local Laws by County Executive - Change in the number of days the County Executive has to approve or veto a local law from 30 days to 21 days and exempts certain resolutions from being subject to Veto by the County Executive (such as: setting a date for a public hearing, rules of the Legislature, matters pertaining to the conduct of the Legislature; appointments vested solely in the Legislature).
• Local Laws - Stronger language is now required to ensure that local laws enacted, amended or rescinded are recognized as binding upon the County Executive, the County Legislature and all County department heads.
• Deputy County Executive - The revision creates the position of Deputy County Executive, who will have the authority to act in place of, and in a manner determined by, the County Executive.
• Appointments - Stricter timelines and rules concerning appointments made by the County Executive.

- Summary of Charter Changes Follows -

Summary of Charter Changes

I. § C2.01 - COUNTY LEGISLATURE POWERS AND DUTIES

Additions

1. provides that all legislative acts shall be binding upon the CE, legislature, and all department heads.

2. gives Legislature the power to approve extensions of all temporary appointments with salary of $75,000 or more for up to 75 days at a time

Deletion - removes reference to matters pertaining to transition to CE form of government

II. § C2.02 - APPROVAL OF LOCAL LAWS BY COUNTY EXECUTIVE

Addition - exempts certain resolutions of Legislature from being subject to CE veto (those pertaining to rules of Legislature, setting a date for a public hearing, matters pertaining to conduct of legislature, confirmation/rejection of CE appointments, and appointments vested solely in the Legislature)

Change - reduces number of days CE has to approve/veto from 30 days to 21 days

III. § C2.04 - OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES OF THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE

Additions

1. requires legislature to elect both Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson

2. provides that Vice-Chairperson shall serve as acting Chairperson in the event of a vacancy until new Chair is elected or for rest of calendar year

3. vacancy in the position of Vice-Chairperson shall be filled by majority vote

IV. § C2.06 - Confirmations of Appointments

Changes/Additions

1. requires appointment resolutions to be presented to Legislature within 10 days of appointment and at least 10 days before next scheduled meeting.

2. failure to consider (vote upon) an appointment resolution within 60 days still results in confirmation, but clarifies that 60-day period runs from the date of the first full legislative meeting the resolution could have been considered

3. requires every appointment resolution to be considered in the appropriate committee with the committee chair to present recommendation to full leg

4. if appointment resolution fails to pass after a vote of the full legislature, it is deemed rejected. No need to pass resolution to reject the appointment.

V. § C3.02 - POWERS AND DUTIES (of CE)

Additions

1. gives CE power to appoint people to temporary positions with annualized salary of $75,000 or more for up to 75 days. Extensions of up to 75 days at a time must be approved by the Legislature

2. Specifically provides that CE must execute and enforce laws, including the duly adopted resolutions and local laws of the Legislature

Deletion - removes power of CE to appoint a member of the Legislature to serve as Chairperson if the Legislature fails to elect a Chairperson before Feb. 1 or within 30 after there is vacancy in the office of Chairperson.

VI. § C3.03 - ACTING COUNTY EXECUTIVE; HOW DESIGNATED; WHEN TO ACT

Additions

1. creates charter position of Deputy County Executive (appointed by CE, confirmed by the Legislature, and serves at the pleasure of the CE) who shall have the authority to act generally for and in place of CE to the extent authorized by CE.

2. in the event of vacancy in the office of CE, Deputy CE shall temporarily fill position until new CE is either appointed or elected according to existing Charter law (corresponding change made to § C3.05 - Vacancy in the Office of the County Executive)

VII. § C3.06 - APPOINTMENT OF DEPARTMENT HEADS (new section)

Additions

1. no department head may perform outside work unless they work less than full time

2. all department heads are obligated to perform as required by Charter, Local Law, Administrative Code or resolution of the Legislature

VIII. § C4.04 - SUBMISSION OF COUNTY BUDGET

Changes/Additions

1. moves up date by which CE must present proposed budget to October 1

2. requires CE to simultaneously submit a copy of the proposed budget to Legislature and to any other governmental entity required by local or state law to receive a copy

IX. § C4.11- CAPITAL PROJECTS COMMITTEE

Addition - adds the words “the following or their designees” to the provision authorizing who is to be on the committee

X. ENTIRELY REMOVES § C10.03 - SOCIAL SERVICES BOARD, as it no longer exists

XI. MAKES ALL CHANGES NECESSARY TO ENSURE GENDER NEUTRALITY

# # #