ROBERT A.

DOHERTY ANNMARIE MARTIN

CHAIR CLERK

MICHAEL BROOKS TEL: 845-807-0450

VICE CHAIR

COUNTY OF SULLIVAN
OFFICE OF THE LEGISLATURE
SULLIVAN COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER
100 NORTH STREET
PO BOX 5012
MONTICELLO, NY 12701

For Immediate Release:

April 16, 2020

Sullivan County Enacts Cuts,

Including Staff Reductions
Plans to Re-evaluate Layoffs in mid-May and Adjust Accordingly

Monticello, NY – Due to ongoing and anticipated fiscal impacts from the 2019 Novel Coronavirus
pandemic, the Sullivan County Legislature today unanimously authorized more than $6 million worth of
cuts to the 2020 County Budget, including the layoffs of 77 County employees, effective May 2.

“This was the hardest decision this Legislature has had to make since taking office in January,” said
Legislature Chairman Robert Doherty. “We don’t want to cut programs or staff. But it’s the right decision
for our taxpayers, who rightfully hold us accountable to maintain the County’s financial health.”

“In determining the positions to temporarily eliminate, we took into account who wasn’t able to work on site
or from home, along with what services and programs were most essential,” explained County Manager
Joshua Potosek. “We also endeavored to minimize impacts on these workers as much as possible. We will
maintain their health benefits, and due to the federally enhanced unemployment benefits, they will be
assured of earning the same as they were when employed.”

Legislators intend to re-evaluate the cuts in mid-May, when fiscal impacts will be clearer. As funding
allows, staff may be rehired.

The County is projecting a $5 million sales tax loss and up to $4 million in State aid reductions,
accompanied by a $2-$3 million pension rate hike and the near-certainty of an increase in social services
costs.
“In addition to property taxes, our revenue is driven by taxes on gasoline, construction activities and auto
sales, all of which have been hit very hard by coronavirus’ impacts,” Potosek stated. “So we’re taking a
conservative approach to mitigate revenue shortfalls.”

Besides the staffing reductions – which are anticipated to save approximately $250,000 a month – the
Legislature also abolished $2.9 million worth of vacant positions and authorized the reduction of equipment
and discretionary expenditures by $2.9 million, much of that through deferral of vehicle purchases, along
with suspension of Land Bank activities and programs like Plans & Progress.

The resolution and list of temporary program and staff reductions are on the following pages:
 COMBINED: LEGISLATIVE
MEMORANDUM, CERTIFICATE OF
AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS AND
RESOLUTION COVER MEMO
To: Executive Committee

Fr: Joshua Potosek, County Manager

Re: TO ABOLISH CERTAIN POSITIONS AND REDUCE APPROPRIATIONS IN

RESPONSE TO THE ECONOMIC DISRUPTION RESULT

Date: April 16, 2020

Purpose of Resolution:
<Insert detailed statement and justification here>

Is subject of Resolution mandated? Explain:

<Insert Explanation Here>

Is this a renewal of a prior contract? Yes/No

Date of prior contract? <Insert Dates Here>

Amount authorized by prior contract $<Insert Amount Here>

Does Resolution require expenditure of funds? Yes/No

If “Yes”, provide the following information
Amount to be authorized by Resolution: $<Insert Amount Here>
Are funds already budgeted? Yes/No
If “Yes” specify appropriation code(s): <Insert Code(s) Here>
If “No”, specify proposed source of funds:
Estimated Cost Breakdown by Source
County: $<Insert Amount Here> Grant(s): $<Insert Amount Here>
State: $<Insert Amount Here> Other: $<Insert Amount Here>
Federal Government:$<Insert (Specify):
Here>

Specify Compliance with Procurement Procedures:

N/A

Person(s) responsible for monitoring contract (Title): Joshua Potosek County Manager
RESOLUTION INTRODUCED BY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE TO ABOLISH
CERTAIN POSITIONS AND REDUCE APPROPRIATIONS IN RESPONSE TO THE
ECONOMIC DISRUPTION RESULTING FROM THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND
POTENTIAL STATE AID CUTS AS A RESULT OF THE RECENTLY ADOPTED NEW
YORK STATE 2020-2021 BUDGET

WHEREAS, the County of Sullivan, like most other New York State counties will be facing
unprecedented fiscal challenges as a result of the economic disruption resulting from the COVID-
19 pandemic and expected State Aid reductions a result of the recently adopted New York State
2020-2021 budget, and

WHEREAS, the County of Sullivan projects significant declines in available revenues from sales
tax due to New York State mandating all non-essential businesses be closed and declines in state
aid, due to projected losses in state revenue of upwards of fifteen billion dollars, and

WHEREAS, the County of Sullivan projects significant increases in required expenditures

responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, costs associated with numerous social services programs
due to the unprecedented number of unemployed people, and substantially higher pension
contribution rates due to substantial reductions in value in the stock market, and

WHEREAS, the County Manager has recommended that the County Legislature take immediate
action to mitigate the effects of certain revenue declines and expense increases associated with the
COVID-19 pandemic.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Sullivan County Legislature hereby

abolishes certain vacant positions, reduces certain equipment purchases, and reduces certain
contractual appropriations as detailed in Schedule A, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Sullivan County Legislature hereby abolishes filled
positions in Schedule B effective May 2, 2020, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the County will continue to pay its currently obligated share
of insurance for each employee in Schedule B with the employee continuing to pay their share of
insurance until such time that the Legislature rescinds this authorization, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the County will allow employees laid-off to maintain their
accrual balances including vacation, sick, and comp time until such time that the Legislature
rescinds this authorization which would result in the County paying out the vacation and comp-
time accruals, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, for employees laid-off on Schedule B and who return to
employment with the County, the County will consider the employee as having been
continuously employed for clauses in collective bargaining agreements and the Personnel Policies
for Non-Union Employees which require continuous employment, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Sullivan County Legislature authorizes the County
Manager to make the appropriate budget modification to effectuate the changes in Schedule A and
B.
Schedule A
2020 Operating Budget Expense Reductions

Appropriations Budget Spent Available

Initiatives

Legislative Discretionary Funding $ 300,000 $ 6,300 $ 100,000

Plans and Progress $ 100,000 $ - $ 100,000

Historical Marker $ 30,000 $ - $ 30,000

Zoning $ 20,000 $ - $ 20,000

Land Bank $ 100,000 $ - $ 100,000

Facilities Master Plan $ 250,000 $ - $ 250,000

Building Code Training $ 10,000 $ - $ 10,000

Chamber of Commerce $ 30,000 $ - $ 30,000

OSE contract agencies $ 10,000 $ - $ 10,000

SubTotal $ 650,000

Equipment

Buses $ 300,000 $ - $ 300,000

Heavy Duty Trucks $ 520,000 $ - $ 520,000

Medium Duty Trucks $ 135,000 $ - $ 135,000

Sheriff cars $ 180,000 $ - $ 180,000

SubTotal $ 1,135,000

Total $ 1,785,000
Schedule A
2020 Operating Budget Expense Reductions

Solid Waste Budget Spent Available

Initiatives

RuST $ 300,000 $ - $ 300,000

$ 300,000
Title Department
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TAX CLERK lll 1330‐204 ‐ TX COLLECTION‐ PROP TAX
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COUNTY CLERK WORKER ll 1410‐11 ‐ CTY CLRK DMV
COUNTY CLERK WORKER ll 1410‐11 ‐ CTY CLRK DMV
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‐ ADMIN DATABASE CLERK 4310 ‐ CS ‐
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ASST SOCIAL WORKER I 4320‐40 ‐ CS ‐ MENTAL HEALTH CLINIC
 Title Department
STAFF SOCIAL WORKER 4320‐40 ‐ CS ‐ MENTAL HEALTH CLINIC
STAFF SOCIAL WORKER 4320‐41 ‐ CS ‐ TREATMENT
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