Politics & Government

Legislature Addresses Financial Issues

The Rockland County Legislature scheduled two public hearings for Tuesday’s meeting both dealing with financial issues. The first hearing is on implementing a policy to prevent former county employees from returning to the payroll. The second hearing regards the creation of a policy for county fund balance management.

The proposed “Rockland County Public Employee Rehiring Disclosure Act” would prevent former employees who left, separated or retired from county government and received compensation such as enhanced retirement incentives from returning as an employee, consultant or outside contractor. The proposal allows for rehiring if there is a “demonstrated and legislatively approved need or necessity” and would prevent those individuals from receiving additional monetary benefits such as accruals. 

The second proposed local law would bring county fund balance management practices into line with widely accepted standards. The “Rockland County Fiscal Stabilization Act” would require the county adopt the practices recommended by the Government Finance Officers Association.

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It is designed to formalize fund balance management and require the county to have a minimum unassigned fund balance of five percent of general fund operations. In the event that the five percent level is reached, then additional surplus monies would be placed in a restricted or “rainy day” fund for unexpected decreases in revenue.  The proposed local law sets criteria for using the rainy day funds such as a declared state of emergency in the county or unanticipated drops in state or federal aid. The legislature must vote by a two-thirds majority to approve the use of the funds. 

Legislators will vote on holding a public hearing on the proposed 2014 county budget on Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 7:05 p.m. The county executive must submit a proposed budget to the clerk of the legislature by October 23 and the legislature must hold a hearing on the draft budget by Nov. 20.

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They will also vote on an agreement between the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation and the county for use of a 2013 Boston Whaler by the Sheriff’s Office. The Boston Whaler and trailer would be provided at no cost to Rockland for marine law enforcement purposes. The agreement is retroactive to September 1 and does not include an end date. 

The legislature meets at 7 p.m. at 11 New Hempstead Road in New City.    


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