The minority Democratic caucus in the Niagara County Legislature will challenge the proposed layoff of two low-salaried refuse district workers as part of its agenda to reduce or prevent a proposed three percent property tax hike in the 2013 spending plan presented by County Manager Jeffrey Glatz.
Legislator Jason Zona, one of three Democrats in the 15-member legislature, said “it would be completely irresponsible” to support the proposed refuse district budget eliminating the two workers at mid-year at a “minimal savings.”
Zona, who is also a member of the Refuse Board of Directors, said the layoffs are being proposed despite the lack of any action by the Refuse Board to close the C& D landfill early or to eliminate any other program the district operates.
Zona said the minority caucus will be submitting amendments at Tuesday’s legislative meeting to fund the refuse positions for the remainder of the year with the costs to be covered by eliminating tens of thousands in proposed increases for consultants and services for the landfill. The proposed increases are five times more than the budgeted amount for the prior year.
“We can continue to operate a profitable landfill until it reaches capacity in four years, keep the workers employed, eliminate wasteful consultant fees, and still reduce the amount taxpayers contribute to the district by close to $100,000,”said Zona.
The Democrats will also bid to reduce what they see as wasteful areas in the spending plan by reducing spending on “high paying, wasteful patronage positions” for services that can and should be provided by department heads.
As an example, Zona said approximately $150,000 could be cut from the county clerk’s budget for costs associated with the moving of records to a new storage facility in Newfane, a move he said can be easily accomplished by county workers.
Democrats are not alone in their displeasure at the proposed tax hike and Majority Leader Richard Updegrove is on record as saying the increase is unacceptable. Amendments will be offered at Tuesday’s legislative session.
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