KINGSTON – A local law that would clarify procedures for modifying an adopted budget won’t make it to public hearing.
The intent of the law is to give the county legislature more oversight on transferring any money earmarked for salaries to other budget lines.
The problems started with an amendment, proposed by Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Gerentine, a Republican, not explained out loud but presented to legislators in printed form.
“It eviscerates the whole resolution,” said Democrat David Donaldson.
“And what it does is it puts the budget process back in behind closed doors with a few people to say it’s okay,” Donaldson said. “What is it, like the three they have up in the state? Well, now it’s going to be the chairman and the minority leader and then the county executive can go behind closed doors say ‘we can move this money around if we want’.”
Republican Carl Belfiglio argued that sometimes, things cannot wait for a monthly legislature meeting.
“There were some very serious budget transfers that needed to be done,” Belfiglio said. “Couldn’t wait a month. So, I think that this is actually more transparent than what is done right now, because now, the chairman and the minority leader will have an opportunity to discuss it with the county executive and decide whether or not they’re going to do it.”
That won’t happen. The amendment was defeated by one vote, as was the original resolution to hold a public hearing on the local law next month.
