The Catskill Chronicle

To the editor:

Sullivan County is moving toward new goals of fiscal accountability and oversight of our tax dollars. We must not forget the peoples mandate for change as evidenced in 2011. My due diligence as Legislator, along with several of my colleagues, in researching, questioning and overcoming hurdles from a “status quo” is moving Sullivan County forward with a new set of expectations.

Sullivan County will now be addressing waste, fraud and abuse in our delivery of Social Services while ensuring our tax dollars provide for our needy. While federal and state mandates carry requirements for services, Sullivan County will now take a more active role with a county Fraud Investigative Team to send a clear message that we will not tolerate abuses of our tax dollars.

My work to address costs through contractual services has revealed certain areas where Sullivan County has been paying too much due to a lack of oversight. Significant savings has recently been realized in the areas of transportation and pharmaceuticals with other areas being examined as well. Currently, I am working to formulate a County Pharmaceutical Drug Policy to ensure the county capture savings through generic drugs and possible rebates for which the county may be eligible.

Addressing budgetary issues has led to concerns regarding a lack of information being made available to the Legislature. With the County Managers contract expiring December 31, 2012, a bipartisan effort will move forward to redesign government that works for all the people of Sullivan County. One example of positive change is the recent proposed change to move the budget process back to give adequate time for review. In addition, I am recommending careful budget analysis to take place at every committee meeting in which decisions on tax appropriations are made. Sullivan County has, for too long, made decisions allowing expenditures to outpace revenues. This has resulted in a serious deficit, reduction in county reserves and multimillion dollar bond requests. To gain better control of expenditures a visual spreadsheet reflecting current month versus year to date cash flow would lead to more responsible decisions by the Legislature.

Despite criticism from certain circles and an apparent resistance to change, a move to redesign government within a framework we can afford, is paramount. I am committed to continuing to examine all aspects of county government to move toward the path of economic stability.

Cindy Geiger

Sullivan County Legislator, District 5