Authority to Remain in Advisory Status in 2015

ERIE COUNTY, NY— Today the Erie County Fiscal Stability Authority (“ECFSA”) voted unanimously to approve the proposed 2015 Erie County Budget and Four Year Financial Plan, calling both “reasonable and balanced”. The legislation that created the authority requires that, within 20 days of receiving the County’s proposed budget and plan, ECFSA must review and determine whether the budget and plan are in balance and realistic. The Authority also adopted a resolution at today’s meeting confirming that it will remain in “advisory” and not “control” status in 2015.

“I thank the members of the Authority for recognizing a good budget and plan and unanimously approving both fiscal documents. The meeting lasted no longer than 15 minutes, evidence of the close working relationship my administration has had with the ECFSA, and I thank their members for the work they’ve done,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “When I ran for Comptroller in 2005, the original ECFSA meetings were long, contentious, and covered ad nauseam by all media outlets which were anxious to portray any negative news about Erie County. We have come a long way since those meetings, and we continue to show today that Erie County is a model of how to deliver services to the public. Meetings are short, relationships are strong, and the fact is that Erie County’s finances are stronger than they’ve been in many years. As the Comptroller and now County Executive during that period of change,  I  am proud to have played a major role in the turnaround of County finances and look forward to continuing such responsible stewardship of County government in the future.”

ECFSA’s Finance Committee met on Friday, October 24^th, hearing  testimony from and posing questions to representatives of the County’s Division of Budget and Management.  In addition, ECFSA submitted a detailed written list of 21 questions to County budget officials regarding the 2015 Budget and financial plan, necessitating a comprehensive response from the County.  The committee and ECFSA board meeting was chaired by Vice Chairman Brian Lipke during the temporary absence of Chairman James Sampson.

Poloncarz added, “ECFSA’s decision today to remain in an advisory status is an important independent affirmation and validation of the hard work of my administration in improving the County’s finances while providing important services to the residents of Erie County in a cost-efficient, reasonable and transparent manner.”