2 years ago
Combine the new year, with a new administration, and you get a new era of detente between the Rath Building and the Erie County Control Board.
Just listen to what Board Chairman Anthony Baynes had to say after Friday's meeting, the board's first with the Collins administration now in charge.
"Anything we've asked for, we've gotten."
"The taxpayers are going to be happy because we're working well already."
"We're going to work together as a unit and as a team."
Chris Collins brought top members of his new administration to the meeting to introduce them to the board.
As far as the previous administration, the board as expected, rejected the final four year financial plan submitted by the Giambra administration.
Board members say it was $107 million out of balance over the next four years. "We've told the previous administration that it was out of balance, he knew it was out of balance, for some reason he decided to submit another four year plan very similar to the last one," said Baynes.
Collins says he'll submit a new, four year plan in November when he releases his first budget. If it passes muster with the board, the board could then vote to revert back to an advisory status. "As we look into and delve into every department in the next budget we'll put together something that we feel will be endorsed by board as being a good, sound four year fiscal plan," says Collins. "Once they're convinced we're on the right path, I have every confidence they will go back to an advisory status."
Adds Baynes, "They've been fair, they've been cordial they want to work it. Of course we're going to have differences, that's just human nature, but it's not going to be vindictive, it's not going to be hurtful, spiteful. It's a new era, it's a new year and we want to move forward and help the citizens and taxpayers of Erie County."
To see Scott Brown's report click on the link above.
