Rockland Lawmakers Prep for Budget Review: Earl & Hood

From the Rockland County Legislature

The Rockland County Legislature is prepared to conduct a thorough review of the County Executive’s Proposed 2018 County Budget.

“Our priorities will include ensuring that estimated revenues and expenses are based on realistic numbers and that vital services will continue to be provided," Legislature Chairman Toney L. Earl said.

The Budget and Finance Committee, chaired by Legislator Jay Hood, will oversee the detailed review that will unfold over coming weeks. It met Monday to allow County Finance Commissioner Stephen Degroat to make a presentation of the proposed spending plan.

“We plan to obtain information from department heads, consulting financial experts, the County Executive’s staff and others so that we can conduct a proper scrutiny of the proposal,” Legislator Hood said. “Our goal is to make sure the final plan is right for taxpayers and for residents who rely on us for public safety, safe roads, social services and other programs.”

Discussions are planned on proposed revenues and expenditures, the state tax cap, mandates, capital projects, and the report that the state Comptroller’s Office will provide after reviewing the proposed spending plan.

Focus will also be put on the audit of the county’s 2016 fiscal year; personnel changes, including any job eliminations or new positions; and allocated costs, which are the fees each department pays toward the county’s overall electric bill, computer software updates, county office maintenance and such.

The Legislature has tentatively set Nov. 16 as the public hearing date and Dec. 5 as the budget vote date.

Key Budget Dates

By Oct. 1: The County Executive must submit the proposed budget to the County Legislature for review. (This year, Oct. 1 fell on a Sunday.)

By Nov. 20: The County Legislature must hold a public hearing on the proposed budget.

By Dec. 7: The full Legislature must adopt the budget and/or submit changes to the County Executive. If the Legislature takes no action, the budget is deemed adopted. If the Legislature amends the proposed budget, it goes to the County Executive for review; he has five working days after receipt of the amended version to veto. (He has line item veto power.)

By Dec. 20: The County Legislature must override or the amended version with any vetoes becomes the budget. It takes a two-thirds vote per veto item to override that veto (Two-thirds is 12 votes).

SEE ALSO: Rockland 2018 Budget Proposal: No Layoffs, Nonprofits Funded

Patch file photo