Lawmakers ask Public Health for cuts

CANTON — St. Lawrence County lawmakers on Monday asked Public Health officials to trim $300,000 from the department's proposed 2010 budget.

A proposal to exempt the dental sealant program from cuts was narrowly defeated in an 8-7 vote. The sealants are administered to thousands of children each year to guard against tooth decay.

"We can't play favorites here," said Legislator Alexander A. MacKinnon, R-Fowler.

Public Health's proposed 2010 budget totals $13,658,815, representing a $258,320 increase over this year's $13,400,495 budget. Deborah M. Kent, interim director, attributed the department's rising cost to an expected increase in employee fringe benefits.

The department's 2010 budget eliminates four vacant positions, two home health aides, a keyboard specialist and a community health nurse. No program changes are proposed.

Legislator Sallie A. Brothers, D-Norfolk, voted to spare the dental sealant program and opposed additional Public Health cuts.

"We have to be fiscally responsible, but we also have to be responsible to the needs of the people of this county," she said.

Legislator Peter W. FitzRandolph, D-Canton, said requiring Public Health to cut $300,000 will show what expenses the department considers priorities.

Lawmakers also unanimously voted to cut $175,000 from a $3.1 million Board of Legislators contingency fund next year.

The cuts represent $75,000 set aside for a special election to fill Assemblywoman Dierdre K. Scozzafava's seat if she had won the 23rd Congressional District race. Ms. Scozzafava dropped out of the race Saturday. The other $100,000 was for budgeting software upgrades.