Economic action items lead 2008 County Legislature agenda
LYNN MARINELLI Legislature Chairperson
As I return for my third year serving as chair of the Erie County Legislature in 2008, there are major action items facing county government. While they may cause some concerns, I believe the prudent approach to them will actually present us with opportunities to deliver essential services to county residents while creating and continuing efficiencies of operation.

These major items include:

• Status and future of the Erie County Medical Center Corporation and impacts on county costs

• Home rule of sales tax by February

• State budget impacts and further requirements or relief from mandates.

• 2008 capital budget

• Budget Accountability Act implementation

• Four-year plan revision and Erie County Fiscal Stability Authority efficiency grant proposals

• Inner Harbor development and economic development areas

• Six Sigma standards and performance-based budgeting

• Union contracts and resolution of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, fact finder report

• Sheriff's Department's transportation and housing of prisoners and overtime costs

• Human Services Department reconfigurations

• Framework for Regional Growth and planning board local law

• Parks and benches maintenance and operations

• Help America Vote Act and election systems changes

• Buffalo Bills lease plans

• Erie Community College operational and capital budget

• Library services

• Policy with administration on bed tax, road funds, culturals and tourism

• Fund balance levels and market upgrading for county and tax lien resolution

It should be apparent that many of the vital action items are directly related to financial matters, from economic development to taxes and relief from state mandates. We also have the opportunity to remake the composition of some county departments and entities and to change, where possible and advantageous, the way Erie County conducts its business.

Several of these items are continued efforts by the County Legislature, including our support of performance-based budgeting, seeking efficiency grants from the control board and working with state leaders to remove the economic shackles of state mandates from Erie County. We recognize that we must never stop working to improve the economic situation of Erie County.

I am proud that the County Legislature approved urgently needed equipment for the Erie County Medical Examiner's Office in the 2008 budget. The cooler and X-Ray equipment the County Legislature approved will improve the office's ability to assist law enforcement in its investigations and to treat families with relatives who have died with dignity and respect and to allow the families to be able to conduct services for their relatives. Residents are urged to contact their county legislators on these and other issues, and my constituents in the 11th District can contact me at Marinelli@erie.gov.