Change costing county money

CANTON — A seemingly benign change nine months ago in how St. Lawrence County government fills vacant positions highlights the difference between Republican and Democratic administrations.

County Administrator Karen M. St. Hilaire, whom the Democrats ushered in to replace Donald R. Brining in July, asked legislators early in her tenure to abolish the practice of bringing together department heads to review vacancies before filling the jobs. She had a sound argument: It was a waste of staff time because jobs were almost never left empty.

Leaving jobs vacant an extra four weeks, however, also saved money.

Legislators recently discussed the change and, unsurprisingly, service-oriented Democrats heralded the move while conservatives predicted it could contribute to tighter fiscal times.

There's no consensus on the savings. Mr. Brining's annual reports averaged $600,000, but state aid and other revenues were omitted. Some positions, such as motor vehicles clerks and community services workers, actually bring in more money than they cost.

Regardless, the savings helped pad reserves used in tough times.

"As inconvenient on the staff as the delay of four weeks is, it's the lesser of two evils than having people lose their jobs," said Legislator Thomas R. Nichols, R-Oswegatchie.

The county faced a 2004 budget that cut more than 40 positions, including 19 layoffs, and carried a double-digit tax increase. The layoffs were avoided by transferring employees to other departments, but vacant positions were cut.

Veteran lawmakers credit the vacancy delays and the review committee's downsizing for getting the county past the rough patch.

"It really set up a process so that every single time someone left, the whole department was reviewed and streamlined," said Legislator Peter W. FitzRandolph, D-Canton. "Over the last couple of years, there hasn't been that kind of budgeting pressure, so there was a natural tendency to let things slide. It became somewhat of a meaningless process."

That's when Democrats took over. The former minority members who put greater emphasis on human services gladly endorsed Ms. St. Hilaire's request.

"County government is in the business of providing services. That's what we do," said Tedra L. Cobb, D-Canton.

The extra spending worries conservative lawmakers even though the county has financially rebounded and is generally considered to be in good shape. Static sales tax revenues, however, have some wondering how much longer it will last and whether the review committee will sometime be revived.

"I'm not sure that even some of the more liberal people on the board won't want to return to that when things get tough enough," Mr. FitzRandolph said. "It may not be soon. Who knows?"