MONROE COUNTY GOP EXERCISING LOOPHOLES AT THE EXPENSE OF TAXPAYERS

From the Democratic Ledger:

Rochester, N.Y.--  Republicans in the Monroe County Legislature have blocked another Democratic proposal; this time to institute oversight of the Brooks Administration's practice of borrowing to pay pension costs.

In the last year, without any legislative oversight, the Brooks Administration deferred $6 million of pension costs from the New York State Pension Fund, in essence delaying these payments that must now be paid back with 5 percent interest. This means that taxpayers will be footing the bill for $300,000 per year in interest payments.

When the county borrows funding for construction projects, the Brooks Administration is required to get a two-thirds vote of approval from the legislature before it can issue the debt. However, a loophole in state law has allowed the County to defer pension payments, adding new liabilities for taxpayers without legislative or public oversight.

Legislator Paul Haney (D-Rochester), the sponsor of the proposal, said, "Anytime taxpayers incur debt there should be a robust system of checks and balances. Unfortunately, when it comes to borrowing for pension costs, there is currently no oversight whatsoever. And now, because of last night's vote, there will continue to be a critical lack of oversight of these taxpayer dollars."

The measure was defeated June 27 during a meeting of the Agenda/Charter Committee.