County Legislature Chair Marinelli Pleased Control Board Votes to Enter Advisory Status
Tuesday, 02 June 2009

Erie County Legislature Chair Lynn M. Marinelli commends the Erie County Fiscal Stability Authority’s decision to enter advisory status after accepting the administration’s four-year financial plan. The Legislature has worked with citizens and county officials toward this outcome.

“On behalf of the Erie County Legislature, we are pleased that the ECFSA just voted to become an advisory body and to end its status as a ‘hard’ control board,” Chair Marinelli said. “We in the Legislature have worked hard over the years to cooperate with the County Executive, the County Comptroller and the ECFSA for the good of the community.”

Legislator Marinelli noted that the County Legislature has worked and continues to act to improve Erie County’s fiscal health. Prior to New York State creating the authority, the Erie County Legislature adopted a 2005 local law approving early release of proposed county budgets, establishing mid-year budget hearings and instituting multi-year budget plans. The law of the Legislature also mandates monthly budget monitoring reports (BMRs). The County Legislature established a Charter Review Commission and approved changes and additions to the Erie County Charter, strengthening the Comptroller’s powers to act in deficit declarations and setting fund balance goals. Over 70 percent of county voters approved the reformed charter.

The County Legislature also worked with the administration, Comptroller’s office and the control board to secure capital borrowing for vital infrastructure projects and ensured through its budget deliberations that reductions and reforms allowed the county to balance budgets and build the reserve fund. Several votes of the Erie County Legislature supported each borrowing attempt. The County Legislature has also reduced the previous administration’s reliance on borrowing, as well as forging better priorities and tracking.

“The Legislature will continue its role of budget and fiscal monitoring through its committee process and through its annual mid-year budget hearings, which will be held from July 20-24,” Legislator Marinelli said. “The Stability Authority Chair and county budget director have been invited to testify before the Finance and Management Committee at its meeting at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 3.”

Finance and Management Committee members include: Legislator Kathy Konst, chair; Legislator Robert B. Reynolds, vice chair, and Legislators Maria R. Whyte, Betty Jean Grant and John Mills.
 
County Legislature Majority Leads Unanimous Approval of Stimulus Funds for Maple Road Work
Friday, 03 April 2009

The Erie County Legislature Democratic Majority led the Erie County Legislature in unanimously approving using federal stimulus funds to help rebuild and rehabilitate Maple Road in Amherst at its April 2 session.

The County Legislature, following the review and approval of the Economic Development Committee, chaired by Legislator Timothy M. Kennedy (D-South Buffalo), approved a construction contract and a change order for construction inspection services, as well as engineering services and acquisition of rights-of way, for the reconstruction of Maple Road from Niagara Falls Boulevard (US Route 62) to Flint Road. Also included in the project will be the reconstruction of North Bailey Avenue from Maple Road to Romney Road in Amherst.

About $7 million in federal stimulus funding will be used for this project, estimated to cost about $12,793,000, and with other federal and state aid worked in, the local share required for the Maple Road project is $2,257,000. The actual cost to Erie County is estimated at about $290,000. The project has been approved by the New York State Department of Transportation in its current capital program to be funded with federal aid funds, and is tentatively scheduled for letting on April 23, 2009.

“The County Legislature acted in a fiscally prudent manner in voting to take advantage of $7 million in federal stimulus funds for this project,” Legislator Kennedy said. “I am pleased that the County Legislature saw the importance of reconstructing and improving Maple Road and in using federal stimulus aid to fund much of the work. This project will provide for hundreds of construction jobs and help to make the infrastructure of this well-traveled corridor as grand as the taxpayers deserve it to be.”

“The County Legislature is acting to help stop the deterioration of Maple Road and lessen the congestion and other problems for the traveling public,” County Legislature Chair Lynn M. Marinelli (D-Tonawanda, Buffalo) said. “This is necessary work that will improve the travel conditions of residents, business owners, shoppers, students and others traversing the area.”

The right-of-way acquisition costs are estimated at $77,900, and up to 95 percent of that cost for four parcels of land are federal and state reimbursable. The easements are needed for intersection improvements on Maple Road at Flint, North Forest and Hopkins roads.
 
County Legislators Miller-Williams, Grant, Whyte Schedule Community WIC Meeting At Library March 25
Thursday, 19 March 2009

Erie County Legislators Barbara Miller-Williams (D-Buffalo, 3rd District), Betty Jean Grant (D-7th District) and Majority Leader Maria R. Whyte (D-Buffalo, 6th District) are sponsoring a community meeting on whether or not the county executive will continue Erie County’s WIC contract and the County Legislature’s support of continuing the contract from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 25, at the Frank E. Merriweather Jr. Library, 1324 Jefferson Avenue in Buffalo.

The County Legislature unanimously voted to support continuing the Women, Infants and Children nutritional program (WIC), and Legislators Miller-Williams, Grant and Whyte believe it is very important for citizens to have the opportunity to express their opinions and experiences with the WIC program. The program serves about 16,000 mothers and children in need throughout Erie County.

For more information, please call Legislator Miller-Williams’ office at 842-0490, Legislator Grant’s office at 894-0914 or Legislator Whyte’s office at 874-3257.