PUT THE MONEY BACK!

One month ago, a majority of my Council colleagues voted to transfer $350,000 that was earmarked to pay the costs of administering election in order to instead fund a political hiring spree in the Council offices. Disingenously, they transferred the money within the City Clerk's office in order to avoid a technical violation of the City Charter. But the intended result was to be the same. More political cronies on the taxpayer's dime.

The theory advanced was that under a State Law adopted last year, the County was now paying election costs so the money in our budget was no longer needed for that purpose. Of course, this also ignores the possibility of either rebating the money to the taxpayers or otherwise using it to cut costs, for example by spending it to retire debt. However, it also ignored the plain language of the State statute which said that after the County paid for the election, it had the right to bill the municipalities. At the time, I investigated that issue and was told by both the County Board of Elections and the County Executive's office that such a charge back was under consideration.

On that basis, Councilwoman Dee Barbato and I urged our colleagues to hold off on any transfer until the issue was clarified. Of course, we also urged them to use the money, if at all, for such cost cutting as outlined above. Ignoring our warnings, the Council voted 5-2 to take the money for both new hires and for "printing costs" in the Council President's office (i.e."Newsletters").

This past Thursday, the City was advised in writing by the County Executive that the proposed County Budget included a bill to Yonkers for nearly $300,000 in election costs. This amount doesn't include the Special Election held two weeks ago so the cost will, presumably, rise. Unfortunately, the letter was a day late because on Thursday the State Comptroller approved the budget transfer. Had the Comptroller's office had the benefit of the County Executive's letter he no doubt would have vetoed the move.

Noentheless, the Council still can do the right thing. In Friday's Journal News, Council President Lesnick said none of the money had been spent yet. Good! Then do the right thing. Put the money back where it was and don't waste the taxpayer's hard earned dollars. Councilwoman Barbato and I will be proposing legislation to do just that in the coming weeks.