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Fayette commissioner calls for meeting to address current budget shortfall

By Patty Yauger pyauger@heraldstandard.Com 4 min read

As Fayette County commissioners continue to balance revenues and expenditures for next year, the budgetary process has revealed an $875,000 gap in the current spending plan.

Commissioner Angela M. Zimmerlink noted the deficit during the commission meeting on Tuesday, adding “that something has to be done,” before the end of the year.

Zimmerlink said that while the 2014 budget showed income of $450,000 from the newly implemented Unified Parcel Identification (UPI) program, it had only generated $79,000 – a $374,000 shortfall.

The figures were verified by Joyce Barnett, acting deputy county controller.

“I said not to put the ($450,000) figure in (the budget) because we weren’t going to collect it,” said Zimmerlink. “There is going to be a cash flow problem.”

Commissioners adopted a resolution in May to implement the program that aids in the organization of county land records and a stream of revenue for the county. A $20 fee is now added to all property transactions, including deeds and mortgages.

It was also found that an anticipated $500,000 revenue amount to be generated through casino gaming proceeds, could not be earmarked to reduce the county’s debt service, increasing the overall budgetary shortfall.

“It should not have been put in the budget (as revenue),” said Zimmerlink. “It isn’t there.”

Zimmerlink said Thursday that she advised Commissioner Vincent Zapotosky and Al Ambrosini in advance of their passage of the 2014 budget that certain revenues were not reasonable.

“During budget meetings last year and at the time of passing the budget, I said some revenues were projected too high and that there would be problems at the end of the year,” she said, adding that gaming proceeds were to be set aside for economic development, not to balance a budget. “My two fellow commissioners and the financial consultant disagreed and the budget was passed 2-1.”

Zimmerlink said that it is now the responsibility of Zapotosky and Ambrosini to “look” for the needed revenue.

Ambrosini, meanwhile, said Thursday that any 2014 budgetary shortfall will be defrayed with the funding transfer from the $10 million line-of-credit loan to the general fund. The loan was secured to finance the construction project being undertaken by the county’s children and youth services to expand it current facility, start-up costs for the newly undertaken prison renovation/expansion project and cover the $2.5 million spent on the now-shelved Justice and Rehabilitation Center project.

The initial payments were made from the general fund.

“The $2.5 million will go a long way to cover the shortfalls,” said Ambrosini.

The commissioners have scheduled a Dec. 9 special meeting to present the 2015 tentative budget and a Dec. 29 meeting to adopt the final version.

Ambrosini said he remains uncertain as to the development of the 2015 budget without the services of Sam Lynch, Susquehanna Group Advisors Inc. senior consultant, and longtime county financial advisor.

The Harrisburg firm was dismissed by the county after the two sides could not reach an agreement over outstanding invoices.

“Without the professional financial advice of (Lynch), I have zero confidence the budget will be accurate or complete,” he said.

McClure & Wolfe of Uniontown were hired this week to aid in the development of the budget and to conduct the annual audit at a cost of $12,000 for budgetary assistance and $30,000 for the auditing services.

Zimmerlink said that the commissioners have not conducted a joint meeting to discuss any of the financial matters.

“(Ambrosini) has not been at a 2015 budget meeting since Oct. 23 and (Zapotosky) has been attending 2015 budget meetings sporadically,” she said.

Zapotosky did not respond Thursday to an email requesting input on the financial matters.

Turning to other matters, the commissioners also conducted the following business:

Agreed to work with SGA Financial Advisory Services Inc., of Harrisburg, to secure a tax revenue anticipation note for 2015.

Announced vacancies exist on several county boards and authorities. Those interested in serving on the boards should send a letter of interest to the Fayette County Commission Office, 61 E. Main St., Uniontown, Pa. 15401 and to the attention of Kathy Winkler.

Email correspondence should be directed to Winkler at kwinkler@fayettepa.org.

Scheduled a Dec. 10 special meeting to consider the future salaries of elected officials.

Salaries must be set a year in advance of election. Voters will select a district attorney, sheriff, clerk of courts, register of wills, coroner, prothonotary, controller and three commissioners next year who will take office in January 2016.

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