For Information Contact:

Brian Adey
 798-5800

     
     Oneida County Executive Joseph A. Griffo today announced that he is reducing county spending for 2003, and that the combined impact of spending restrictions now in effect totals more than $2 million.

     "After meeting with all of our department heads, we have identified areas where resources must be reduced through the end of this year," Griffo said. "I am asking the Oneida County Board of Legislators to set aside this money in accounts that will be used to help limit county property taxes. I am very pleased to announce that after six weeks in office, we are able to assure our taxpayers that we are taking responsible action to limit this year’s spending. The spending restraint that we are implementing is the foundation to our efforts for 2004, and perhaps beyond, so that we can keep county property taxes at their lowest possible levels."

     Griffo said the reductions are part of a multi-phased approach to reduce spending in the final months of 2003 and in 2004. The multi-phased approach will include:

• Dedication of unanticipated 2003 revenue to property tax stabilization accounts for 2004.
  
  
• Continued review of 2003 spending to identify further areas for reductions, with a focus on cuts in cell phones and county vehicles, and a policy of holding 2004 non-mandated appropriations to the minimum.
  
  
• Holding open vacant positions to save money and reduce the possibility of layoffs.
  
  
• In-depth reviews of programs, contracts and leases to find the most cost-effective way of providing an equal level of service. "Every program, no matter how long it has existed, needs to show results as part of our accountability to taxpayers," Griffo said. "Likewise, if we are leasing space, we need to ensure the terms are in the best interests of our taxpayers."
  
  
• Aggressive pursuit of grants to shift the cost of providing services away from county property taxpayers.

     "Restrictive spending will help create a stronger fiscal base as we look ahead to 2004, and also align Oneida County government with my philosophy of fiscal conservatism. I won’t call our actions a freeze, because we are filling positions where a vacancy could endanger the health, safety or welfare of either county residents or county employees." Griffo said, pointing out that the county has important responsibilities such as child protective services and those at the county jail. "However, we are going to spend less."

     Griffo said the 2003 spending cuts include savings from 155 vacant positions that have not been filled as well as a series of cuts that were identified after his initial meetings with county department heads. These cuts include savings through personal services, program supplies, and reductions in a variety of non-mandated areas.

     "We expect that our overall savings from 2003 will grow through the continued impact of restrictions on spending that are limiting travel, hiring, and purchasing," Griffo said, noting that departments will continue efforts to set aside unspent money to help limit county taxes.

     Griffo said the action is a result of collaboration with county department heads. "Through the meetings I have had with all departments in my first six weeks as County Executive, I am impressed with their efforts to limit spending. I am pleased with the dedication of our department heads and the various county employees and their enthusiasm in joining me in the county's mission to do more with less. Their sacrifice will go a long way to assist our county to achieve the balance that provides the services our county residents need while also limiting county property taxes."

     "Every business faces rising costs for expenses such as health insurance and utilities," Griffo said. "Every family sets priorities to meet critical needs in their own personal budgets, such as gas, groceries, and clothing. Likewise, Oneida County must focus its limited resources on our most critical needs. In addition, we have mandated cost areas such as Medicaid and employee retirement programs where the initial state projections have called for double digit increases. We need to be prudent now to save money to better absorb any cost increases for 2004."

     Griffo said spending restraint now will pay dividends in the future.

     "All counties are facing severe fiscal pressures. The counties that will emerge as the strongest and best prepared to move forward when our state and national economies recover will be the ones who have worked the hardest to protect fiscal stability and keep county property taxes to their lowest possible levels. "

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