Amid talks of a compromise regarding the Albany County Nursing Home, county lawmakers passed an amended version of the budget at its Monday, Dec. 7, meeting.
The Albany County Legislature passed the budget 27-12.
The executive’s budget, as amended by the Legislature, is slated to save jobs, but at the same time institutes a hiring freeze, according to Frank Commisso, D-Albany, majority leader for the legislature. The budget comes in at $573 million, with nearly $2 million more than the executive’s proposal coming from reserve funds.
The Legislature’s adopted 2010 budget fails to address long-term spending that is necessary to protect property taxpayers in 2011 and 2012. I am disappointed the Legislature did not accept my compromise to begin downsizing the county nursing home to reduce some of the financial pressure we will face, said Albany County Executive Mike Breslin . `I will be carefully reviewing the Legislature’s budget and will consider a veto if it means protecting taxpayers and those we serve.`
Mary Duryea, a representative with Breslin’s office said the executive will make his decision based on the merits of the budget, not the likelihood a veto will succeed or fail.
Duryea said the executive was hopeful for a compromise involving the building of a smaller nursing home and keeping the other facets of his budget intact.
Commisso said he is hopeful the executive and Legislature can move forward to compromise on the nursing home, even though the executive’s deal was turned down.
`It shouldn’t be used as a bargaining chip,` he said. `It’s essential that we have a nursing home.`
He said he does not support the elimination of 74 beds in the nursing home as it stands, but added, `I’m always open to dialogue,` as far as plans for a new home.
Commisso said the budget approved by the Legislature, will save 100 jobs but will institute a hiring freeze.
`We were able to keep the employees working,` he said. `This is one of the toughest budgets we’ve faced in years.`
He also noted that the 5.9 percent levy increase is the same as the executive’s proposal.
Commisso said Breslin’s budget called for the elimination of positions in the nursing home, which is operating at capacity. He said Breslin’s plan to cut 74 positions at the home is unwise.
Even though Breslin indicated he is willing to compromise on a nursing home, Duryea said his long-term plan still includes keeping people in the community.
`He still has a commitment to expand on home- and community-based care,` Duryea said.
Breslin is pushing for more assisted living beds and supplying more home-based care programs as part of his long-term care plan.
Christine Benedict, R-Colonie, said that she was not on board with the budget.
`We didn’t feel it was going to be a balanced budget,` she said. `I’m just concerned about the taxpayers.`
She said the Legislative minority was not provided enough information, namely regarding the fund balance.
She said the budget calls for $7.5 million of reserve funds, but the Legislature has not been provided with a number quantifying the pool.
She said without that information, it’s difficult to plan for the future.
Benedict said 14 votes are needed to sustain a veto by Breslin.
In a Wednesday, Dec. 2, letter from Breslin to Commisso, Breslin stated his biggest concern was fiscal responsibility.
`We must work together to deliver a balanced budget that meets the needs of county property taxpayers and those we serve,` Breslin said. `I have serious concerns regarding the budget course the Audit and Finance Committee has taken so far. The committee’s proposed changes to the tentative 2010 budget significantly increase spending, eliminate critical positions that would jeopardize County operations and do not address the ever increasing nursing home subsidy.`
Breslin’s 2010 county budget proposal, released on Thursday, Oct. 8, called for a tax levy increase of 5.9 percent and featured $11.6 million in spending cuts, including 109 layoffs in addition to the elimination of 130 vacant positions.
The total proposed appropriations for the year would be $571.4 million, an $11.6 million decrease from this year’s levels.
“