Newly appointed Steuben County Legislature Finance Committee Chairman Larry Crossett, R-Bath, said he’s been through a lot of bad budgets.
“Next year may be the worst one yet, we don’t know yet,” said Crossett, a retired county treasurer. “But we’ll get our way through it. We always have.”
Crossett is one of three new legislative committee chairmen appointed this week by Legislature Chairman Pat Donnelly, R-Bath.
Donnelly also named Legislator Brian Schu, R-Hornell to chair the Public Safety and Correc-tions Committee, and Legislator Joe Hauryski, R-Campbell, to head the Public Works Committee.
While all three men – relative newcomers to the Legislature with two years apiece on the board – face challenges, Crossett and the Finance Committee must tackle head-on what many believe is an approaching financial crisis in 2011.
Crossett agrees with the proactive stance on next year’s budget, promoted by Donnelly when he was sworn into office Jan. 4.
“We need to take some steps now that will help us next year,” Crossett said. “’Cause it isn’t going to be pretty.”
Crossett said county lawmakers will likely consider offering early retirement incentives to county workers this year as a way to cut costs and benefits.
Legislators also will take a closer look at local funding for mental health services provided by the county’s Office of Community Services.
For years, operating costs in the department have consistently outpaced expected revenues.
Last week, Community Services staffers told the Finance Committee the state had charged the department with new costs going back to 2003.
The retroactive costs ranged from $1.3 million -$1.5 million, which put the department $2.8 million into the red last year.
Crossett said the back payments were unexpected.
“But this is the key year for that office to have a realistic idea of what they can expect (in state revenues),” Crossett said. “Now, the state’s changing the way they will fund the department, so hopefully, that will help.”
Crossett said the county is facing serious financial issues created by a state government which is driven by downstate interests, Medicaid and the insurance industry.
“And there are no sacred cows, here, in this county, either,” he said. “Or there won’t be.”
In addition to the three new chairmen, three Legislators will keep their posts for the next two years : Administration Committee Chairman Patrick McAllister, R-Wayland; Agriculture, Industry and Planning Chairman Donald Creath, R-Corning City; and Health and Education Chairman Thomas Ryan, R-Canisteo. Ryan also will head the Human Service Committee which merged with Health and Education last year.
The Legislature has experienced a dramatic turnover during the past two years, due to term limits imposed by a 1995 public referendum.
Since 2008, 10 new legislators have been elected to seats on the 17-member board, with four new lawmakers taking seats this January.
