St. Lawrence budget omits money for pay raises

CANTON — St. Lawrence County lawmakers did not include $1.3 million for retroactive worker raises in the their 2010 budget plan, but some say they're ready if employees' salaries increase anyway.

"If we agreed through the negotiating process to have a pay raise retroactive to 2009, the question is where the money will come from," said Legislator Alexander A. MacKinnon, R-Fowler. "It's not in a contingency account someplace."

Lawmakers managed to cut more than $1.2 million from the original 2010 budget proposal, sending the money back to the county's fund balance rather than lowering taxes. Legislators said the move was necessary to fortify reserves before federal stimulus package money dries up in 2011.

But some said Friday it could pay for worker raises, if necessary.

"We might be able to settle, and this gives us the money to do it," said Legislature Chairman Gregory M. Paquin, D-Massena.

Contracts for the Civil Service Employees Association Local 1000, Unit 8400, CSEA Unit 8247 representing Solid Waste Department workers, the jail corrections officers' Council 82, Local 2390 and the Sheriff's Benevolent Association all have expired.

A wage freeze would affect only three of the unions. The Sheriff's Benevolent Association has sought a new contract through binding arbitration, a process in which an impartial third party imposes an agreement the union and county must accept.

When announcing a proposed wage freeze in the 2010 budget, County Administrator Karen M. St. Hilaire said the Legislature has the power to impose a one-year contract on its unions.

"We're in negotiations for a new contract, not a wage freeze. We took a risk by saying there was going to be no change in people's wages," said Legislator Frederick S. Morrill, D-DeKalb Junction.

"You never build a good relationship with your employees when you impose something on them," Mr. Paquin said. "You don't want to impose contracts; you want to negotiate them. It's taken a while, but that's what we're working toward."

Mr. MacKinnon cautioned, however, that depleting reserves could make it difficult to pay bills at the beginning of the year, before tax payments start coming in.

"Once fund balance falls below $10 million, that's when we run the risk of having to borrow money to take care of spring needs," Mr. MacKinnon said. "We'd have to take out a revenue anticipation note and make up the loss the following year."

Lawmakers are expected to adopt the 2010 budget following a 5 p.m. public hearing Tuesday at the County Courthouse.