Quoted Text

... Fields said the county is seeing for the first quarter of this year a decline in mortgage tax receipts and a reduced rate of growth in sales tax; these are now seen growing 1.5 percent vs. the usual 3 percent annual expansion. The current economic slowdown has affected both key revenue streams....

Aren't sales tax revenues supposed to increase with the tens of millions of dollars of public revenues being distributed by the Metroplex to fund privately owned businesses including bars, restaurants, retail, etc.?

Is sales tax collected on all of the movie tickets that are being sold at the busy Bowtie Cinema, on tickets for all of the sold out performances at Proctor's Theater, on hotel room rates at the Hampton Inn, and on meals served at the newly opened restaurants in downtown Schenectady?

Quoted from Shadow

How can this be, Stratton just got done telling us how well we were doing and that we had a $10 million surplus and that our bond rating was just lowered. Could Stratton have told us a little white lie about the finances in the county? Figures don't lie but liars can sure figure.

Stratton is city - not county.

SHHHHHHHHHHH.....Don't question the dollars and cents to determine Metroplex's success.  Just look at all the pretty buildings.

I'm surprised the Democrats released this information before they raised Metroplex's spending cap to $75 million.  This certainly won't help their argument.

Quoted Text

Quoted from Cicero:
... Just look at all the pretty buildings.

ahhhh ... pretty

As far as I'm concerned so goes the city so goes the county as the Dems run both and some of the money that comes from the county goes to fuel the cities endless need for more money.

http://www.schenectadymetroplex.org

Quoted Text

The Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority's
cooperative efforts and investments are focused within the
Metroplex Corridor, with a particular emphasis on the downtown area.
We are guided by the three criteria developed by the
Metroplex Strategic Planning Committee:

to expand the county's property tax base;
to expand the sales tax base; and
to create and retain jobs.

After 10 years of the taxpaid Metroplex coupled by the tax reimbursement Empire Zone, how can there possibly be  nothing short of a surplus?  This just supports the opposition to a bonding increase for the Metroplex.

They certainly found an extra $80K sitting around for Mr. Kosiur though, didn't they? Not to mention the health/retirement benefits we will all be paying for FOREVER!! How DO these people sleep at night?

Quoted from bumblethru

They certainly found an extra $80K sitting around for Mr. Kosiur though, didn't they? Not to mention the health/retirement benefits we will all be paying for FOREVER!! How DO these people sleep at night?

On a bed stuffed with tax dollars.

Quoted Text

If P then Q??????


Surplus: Surplus is the amount by which unreserved and undesignated fund balance ...



Quoted Text
Main Entry: surplus value
Function: noun
Date: 1887
: the difference in Marxist theory between the value of work done or of commodities produced by labor and the usually subsistence wages paid by the employer

They say they're going to need to start looking at the budget earlier this year.  We also need to look at this
budget this year and advise the County Legislature where we think they need to start making cuts.

Here's a link to the budget that was enacted for 2008.

It can be found on this page: http://schenectadycounty.com/FullStory.aspx?m=63&amid=796

or directly at this link: http://schenectadycounty.com/2008_Adopted_Operating_Budget_Oj0ii.pdf.file

Here's something that I found interesting in my beginning to read this again...

page 3/298, officially page 2 of the budget, after the header page...

Quoted Text

Major Fiscal Pressures

County expenditures are up $2.2M but more significantly revenues are down by $3.4M, resulting in a
$5.6M increase in levy over 2007. Unfortunately this reflects a 9.7% levy increase; as a result of
decreasing revenues, increasing mandated expenditures and a current reliance on surplus. Although
the increase is substantial, it must be viewed in context with what has transpired over the past
several years and benchmarked against what has occurred in neighboring counties. It also must
be viewed in context with current economic conditions. Pertinent facts are as follows:
• From 2006-08 the average tax rate increase is equal to 2.75% per annum;
• From 2003-07 Schenectady County increased its taxes 14.9%. The average rate increase for the
other Capital District counties during this period was 46.3%;
• The 9.7% increase can be attributed entirely to identified mandated cost increases and revenue
reductions.

Quoted Text

• From 2003-07 Schenectady County increased its taxes 14.9%. The average rate increase for the
other Capital District counties during this period was 46.3%;

Can't you just SEE it coming??

How about this for a start?  Let's slash the entire Legislature's pay...maybe 10% across the board?
                                                                                                           10% reduction
A1010.111 01001-Chairman of the Legislature 16,499                                    $14849.10
A1010.111 06001-Deputy Chairman of the Legislature 15,499                         $13949.10
A1010.111 05001-Vice Chairman of the Legislature 15,499                             $13949.10
A1010.111 02001-Majority Leader 15,499                                                     $13949.10
A1010.111 03001-Minority Leader 15,499                                                     $13949.10
A1010.111 04010-Legislator (10) 140,930                                                    $126,837.00
A1010.111 Total Regular Employees 219,425                                               $197,482.50

There's already a savings of $21,942.50, the price of 1 1/2 legislators.  Then, what additional work is done as
Deputy Chairman(Vince DiCerbo) or Vice Chairman (Judy Dagostino)?  Why should the be getting paid any
more than a non-bumped up Legislator?  In the new calculations, this would be an additional $1,265.40 savings.

The County Manager (Kathy Rooney) currently makes $120,000 per year...and she can't speak up for
herself, so the Legislature recently had to appoint a $60,000-per-year position for the Communications
Director?  What happened to getting rid of non-essential positions by attrition?  If this person only
makes half the money she does, maybe he's not worth it?  Shouldn't someone with "his MBA and
his bachelor’s degree in communications, and his years of experience with the United Way" be looking
a bit higher than a $60,000 per year patronage position?  Although, I must give credit, paying this
$60,000 position is better than paying the Assistant County Manager $85,000...until they fill THAT
behind other's backs.  Then, there's Ed Kosiur's position, at another $80,000
(http://www.rotterdamny.info/m-1195562645/s-30/).  

So, my savings plan, slash 10% from the County Legislature, knocking back 2 Sub-Chairmen to
regular old Legislators, making Kathy Rooney take care of that part in her contract that we all have
to deal with (a.k.a. Other duties as assigned,), and disbursement of the position of the Assistant
to the Commissioner of Social Services for Youth Development position brings my immediate
savings to the taxpayer of...$161,942.50.  While it's only a beginning, it is 1% of the current
deficit that the county has to deal with.

...But I'm just a lowly resident.  Who am I to bring about possibilities for change?

A few years ago someone said to cut the salary ten percent over there, I dont think it was Ang since he wasnt on there then if my memory is right. But I bet he will lead the way on that and push the other people to do it indeed

Quoted from 191

A few years ago someone said to cut the salary ten percent over there, I dont think it was Ang since he wasnt on there then if my memory is right. But I bet he will lead the way on that and push the other people to do it indeed

How long exactly have you two been "a couple" ?

Quoted from 147

How long exactly have you two been "a couple" ?