GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY COMMITTEEPage 1
July 14, 2011
GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY COMMITTEE
MURPHY, SCHWERD, LINDBERG, CLARK
July 14, 2011
Present: RepresentativesRichardMurphy, Betty Anne Schwerd, Kathleen Clark
Absent: Representative Donald Lindberg
VETERANS
Representative Murphy stated he received a note from Tex Seamon informing that he had notified the Intergovernmental Affairs committee of his retirement to be effective August 31, 2011.
Representative Schwerd reviewed information she gathered from others counties regarding how they administer their veterans office. She stated Delaware and HerkimerCountiesboth employ one full time and one part time person. They purchase used vehicles and they each have two, one van and one car. DelawareCounty requires its drivers to have a CDL license. ChenangoCounty refers its veterans to Oxford.
Representative Murphy will contact Tex Seamon to determine the number of veterans served over the past 2 or 3 years, how many trips per month were made, and does Texuse drivers other than Ward Goodale, who is the department’s current part time OtsegoCounty employee.
Representative Schwerd will contact DelawareCountyfor its number of veterans served and trips per month for comparison.
OLD JAIL
Representative Murphy reviewed with Doug Czerkiesthe square footage requirements needed for office space in other county buildings in order to relocate the offices currently in the Old Jail if the building were to be sold.
Representative Murphy spoke with Jeff Katz, Village of Cooperstown Trustee, who requested a written communication from Representative Murphy inquiring if the village would like to havea discussion on any interest the village might have in the Old Jail building.
COUNTY/MUNICIPALITIES
Representative Murphy spoke of the website that has been developed for municipalities to post equipment for sale. He will follow up with Brian Pokornyon status of the site.
CODES
The committee discussed their concerns on whether or not any current county personnel have asbestos training and if any salary includes compensation for previous training. Representative Murphy will research.
Representative Murphy stated he received a letter from Paul Neske of the Town of Oneontacodes and that Mr. Neske wrote to offer information that if a county does not provide the codes enforcement service, it does not necessarily become the town’s responsibility.
Representative Clark questioned how often transient rental properties need to be inspected. Representative Murphy will contact Neal McManus for that information. He will also request from Neal a list of towns that request county codes’ services.
REVIEW
Representative Murphy reviewed topics the committee has identified from January 2011 to present.
The committee decided that additional counties should be included in the Sheriff patrol car survey.
The committee briefly discussed the Right to Know trainings. Representative Murphy will request a list of completed trainings from the county attorney.
NEXT 5 MONTHS
The committee agreed to research the nutrition program. Questions presented include: What aspects are mandated? What is required for each county department to provide under the mandates? How are county departments delivering the mandates? What services can be combined?
Representatives Schwerd and Murphy stated that the term length for Board of Representatives should be explored.
There being no further business to discuss, the committee adjourned until Tuesday, August 23, 2011 at 9:15 a.m. in the 2nd floor conference room.