Report illustrates accomplishments during 2006
LYNN MARINELLI Legislature Chairperson
Under the Erie County Legislature's Rules 5.03, I recently submitted the legislature's 2006 annual report for the public record, and a full report was presented at the WNY Coalition for Progress meeting on Feb. 20.

In 2006, in my first year as chair, there were the following key accomplishments:

+ Heightened the legislative role of monitoring and oversight; empowered the eight standing committees, with a focus on consensus building.

+ Major focus on fiscal stability and the county's four-year plan; tracking of the four-year plan initiatives; held meetings with the Erie County Fiscal Stability Authority or attended their sessions; ongoing work toward efficiency grants.

+ Created legislature policies and procedures and worked with less staffing.

+ Began quarterly committee chair's meetings, all open and publicized.

+ Charter Review Commission's work concluded. After public deliberation, the legislature voted, 15-0, and voter approval was more than 70 percent. Review of the Blueprint for Change and Central Police Services/Emergency Medical Services is still under way.

+ Erie County Medical Center consent decree voted in January.

+ Board of Elections funded, including two successful special elections.

+ NRG/Huntley plant unanimously supported for state investment.

+ Instituted midyear budget hearings in June.

+ Parks/forestry review done; beaches reopened on weekends.

+ Library Protection Act local law made permanent.

+ Apprenticeship law and pesticide notification law approved.

+ Capital budget: borrowing reduced, with better tracking and priorities established, and an improved system of closeout for debt paying.

+ Sales tax extension adopted, with $12.5 million sharing formula.

+ Reimbursed health fees to certain not-for-profit and civic groups.

The 2007 budget passed 11-4, ahead of deadline and tightly balanced. No property taxes were raised, proposed fees were rejected and some new jobs were cut. The ongoing assessment of priorities and delivery of services resulted in restored areas of probation, youth, parks, culturals, library, Convention and Visitors Bureau, Soil and Water District and Cornell Cooperative investments. The $1.2 billion budget, 88 percent mandated, was adopted as amended without veto. The legislature also continues its work in many areas to implement approved changes to increase our oversight and improve how the county conducts its business.

Readers can contact my office with comments at 832-0493 or Marinelli@erie.gov.