Schenectady County ends year with a surplus despite difficult economic times

Schenectady County ended 2008 with a $33.7 million surplus, according to the Daily Gazette, thanks to smart budgeting in these difficult economic times. Schenectady County Democrats worked on a budget without empty gimmicks that would have led to a fiscal crisis and the fruit of that labor is apparent.

Since the new Democratic Majority took leadership in the Schenectady County Legislature, it is has been their priority to make smarter more efficient government a reality in Schenectady County. Taxpayers have saved more than $10 million through a reduction of 250 positions in county government employment The total County workforce has been reduced by 11% since 2004 despite state mandated increases in Correction and Social Services staff.

They have combined these efficiencies with developing new and smarter ways to do business. Schenectady County Democrats established the first Canadian mail order prescription drug plan in New York state, a companion domestic mail order program, and a county employee waiver system for benefits which saves taxpayers $5.2 million annually. They worked together over some Republican opposition to eliminate the personal use of county vehicles and cell phones by county employees as perks saving taxpayers over $200,000 since 2005. They brought a new management style that reformed the Public Defender's Office and established a Conflict Defenders Office saving county taxpayers over $300,000 a year since 2005 while ensuring all county residents are treated fairly and they established a consolidated County Legal department under the County Attorney saving taxpayers $500,000 through aggressive collection of outstanding debts owed the county, consumer protection violation fine recoveries, and limited use of outside attorneys.

These are just some of the reforms put in place in the last 6 years. Schenectady County Democrats continue to work on developing new and innovative ways for operating government to ensure County residents continue to receive the services they need while providing saving to taxpayers.