County denies CSEA funding request

CANTON — Members of St. Lawrence County's Civil Service Employees Association Unit 8400 asked lawmakers not to fund outside agencies next year, in light of the union's unsettled contract and a proposed employee wage freeze.

Legislators responded during Tuesday's 2010 budget discussion by keeping recommended funding levels for agencies such as libraries and the county Chamber of Commerce, and partially restoring contributions to some organizations originally proposed to get no money.

"These are very worthwhile agencies, and they do great work," Betty J. Thomas, CSEA president, said in a prepared statement. "They also have funding sources other than St. Lawrence County."

CSEA and county officials are in mediation to reach a new contract. The union declared an impasse earlier this year. The last contract expired Dec. 31.

County officials also have proposed a 2009 wage freeze for three unions to save $1.3 million in retroactive pay once contracts are settled.

Mrs. Thomas said the CSEA asked that outside agencies' funding be eliminated "until such time that the county can responsibly take care of its own employees."

County Administrator Karen M. St. Hilaire said officials had proposed cutting all funding for agencies not considered part of the county's core mission. They were the St. Lawrence County Arts Council, Ogdensburg Command Performances, the Central Adirondack Search and Rescue Team, ComLinks, the Food Bank of Central New York, the Fort La Presentation Association, Mercy Flight and the St. Lawrence County-Gouverneur Fair board.

"That saved us $155,000, and allowed us to put four dental sealant program workers who were going to be laid off back into the budget," she said.

Legislators undid some of the proposed cuts Tuesday, funding Ogdensburg Command Performances at $5,000, Fort La Presentation at $5,000, the Food Bank of Central New York at $8,000 and the Arts Council at $7,500. Those amounts are half of what the agencies received this year.

Legislature Chairman Gregory M. Paquin, D-Massena, said he opposed restoring funding to any agency, but he did not favor the CSEA's request, either.

"I can't see how we could completely cut funding to Hospice or food banks. That would be unrealistic," he said. "The funding we'd cut would be hurting the most in need."

The Legislature's next budget discussion will be at 4 p.m. Monday at the County Courthouse.