Brief Overview of our County - Past, Present and Future
Dear Neighbor,
I am writing you to give you an update on our County and letting you know I am seeking re-election. Hopefully, after understanding our past, present and future I will again be able to earn your vote and confidence to continue succeeding.
My journey began over four years ago when I first ran for County Legislator on a platform that serious change was needed in focus and performance. I along with others in my party recognized that if things continued the way they were we would all be broke before long. A new mindset and team was needed including admitting nineteen elected part-timers could no longer manage the complexity of a New York State County with a budget of 60-70 million dollars. Although I did not win my first election, I was successful in helping frame the relevant issues that did lead to change including the hiring of a County Administrator as a result of the public outcry occurring after the previous leadership said everything was fine and then forced on taxpayers a post election 18.8% property tax increase.
Once the budget disaster cat was out of the bag no amount of spin could contain the fact that the previous legislative leadership blindsided and let down the people of Cortland. Then you the voters decided enough was enough. Through your vote you provided people like myself with the opportunity to see if we could make things better by providing the right mindset and leadership. Well, without going into a myriad of details we simply got busy, cut out the nonsense and did the job you sent us to do. The following graphs provide a picture of what happens when the right people get elected:
Although many other measurements can be studied I believe the above graphs demonstrate the bottom line impact our efforts have made to get Cortland County going in the right direction. First, the rate of property tax increases has dramatically dropped in the first budget we created (for 2005). Secondly, our General Fund balance (think of it as money in the bank we can use when truly needed) is way up in the first year we managed the finances (2004) and we believe the fund balance will have a healthy increase again in 2005. Make no mistake, this has not occurred by accident and it began with new leadership and mindset and don’t let anyone sell you a different story. We have made a meaningful difference and the numbers show it. Also, keep in mind the near unanimous voting record on the positive changes that have been made clearly demonstrating the bipartisan unity exhibited when good leadership provides good choices and results. It is now clear we can work together when the leadership is right and voters pay attention to the facts and not warm fuzzy stories.
Overall, as Chairman of the Budget and Finance Committee, I have seen what can happen when the right team puts their minds and hearts together to affect positive change. From keeping tax increases to a minimum; significantly increasing fund balances; on-time budgets; strengthening county finances; restructuring government; cutting expenses; reducing fraud; holding departments accountable; and even providing dumpsters on city streets during the flood in April 2005, our efforts have already made a positive mark on our county and have laid the foundation to a more solid future. But let us be clear, this is no time to sit on our laurels and bask in our victories. We have limited resources that must be balanced wisely. This is why my goals for the next two years include the following:
- Continue developing smart process designs that will enhance our ability to consistently make good decisions in an increasingly difficult environment.
- Maintain strong fund balances and strengthen our bond rating to decrease debt costs
- Stay within our state constitutional tax limit for property taxes by putting taxpayers first
- Strengthen our road, culvert and bridge infrastructure that has been seriously neglected before 2004
- Continue investing in our police, judiciary and public safety infrastructure to combat crime and keep our public safe
- Continue providing needed human and health services to those in need and crack down on fraud as begun in 2005 when we hired a full time investigator
I know you may still have questions and thoughts to share and I look forward to speaking with you at your door and/or on the phone. As election-day approaches I hope you will make a well-informed decision to vote for me and in so doing provide me with the opportunity to represent you for two more years and continue the good work that has been completed and provide the necessary leadership for the work to be accomplished.
Most Sincerely,
Kurt Behrenfeld
County Legislator – District 6
Chairman, Budget and Finance Committee
I am writing you to give you an update on our County and letting you know I am seeking re-election. Hopefully, after understanding our past, present and future I will again be able to earn your vote and confidence to continue succeeding.
My journey began over four years ago when I first ran for County Legislator on a platform that serious change was needed in focus and performance. I along with others in my party recognized that if things continued the way they were we would all be broke before long. A new mindset and team was needed including admitting nineteen elected part-timers could no longer manage the complexity of a New York State County with a budget of 60-70 million dollars. Although I did not win my first election, I was successful in helping frame the relevant issues that did lead to change including the hiring of a County Administrator as a result of the public outcry occurring after the previous leadership said everything was fine and then forced on taxpayers a post election 18.8% property tax increase.
Once the budget disaster cat was out of the bag no amount of spin could contain the fact that the previous legislative leadership blindsided and let down the people of Cortland. Then you the voters decided enough was enough. Through your vote you provided people like myself with the opportunity to see if we could make things better by providing the right mindset and leadership. Well, without going into a myriad of details we simply got busy, cut out the nonsense and did the job you sent us to do. The following graphs provide a picture of what happens when the right people get elected:
Although many other measurements can be studied I believe the above graphs demonstrate the bottom line impact our efforts have made to get Cortland County going in the right direction. First, the rate of property tax increases has dramatically dropped in the first budget we created (for 2005). Secondly, our General Fund balance (think of it as money in the bank we can use when truly needed) is way up in the first year we managed the finances (2004) and we believe the fund balance will have a healthy increase again in 2005. Make no mistake, this has not occurred by accident and it began with new leadership and mindset and don’t let anyone sell you a different story. We have made a meaningful difference and the numbers show it. Also, keep in mind the near unanimous voting record on the positive changes that have been made clearly demonstrating the bipartisan unity exhibited when good leadership provides good choices and results. It is now clear we can work together when the leadership is right and voters pay attention to the facts and not warm fuzzy stories.
Overall, as Chairman of the Budget and Finance Committee, I have seen what can happen when the right team puts their minds and hearts together to affect positive change. From keeping tax increases to a minimum; significantly increasing fund balances; on-time budgets; strengthening county finances; restructuring government; cutting expenses; reducing fraud; holding departments accountable; and even providing dumpsters on city streets during the flood in April 2005, our efforts have already made a positive mark on our county and have laid the foundation to a more solid future. But let us be clear, this is no time to sit on our laurels and bask in our victories. We have limited resources that must be balanced wisely. This is why my goals for the next two years include the following:
- Continue developing smart process designs that will enhance our ability to consistently make good decisions in an increasingly difficult environment.
- Maintain strong fund balances and strengthen our bond rating to decrease debt costs
- Stay within our state constitutional tax limit for property taxes by putting taxpayers first
- Strengthen our road, culvert and bridge infrastructure that has been seriously neglected before 2004
- Continue investing in our police, judiciary and public safety infrastructure to combat crime and keep our public safe
- Continue providing needed human and health services to those in need and crack down on fraud as begun in 2005 when we hired a full time investigator
I know you may still have questions and thoughts to share and I look forward to speaking with you at your door and/or on the phone. As election-day approaches I hope you will make a well-informed decision to vote for me and in so doing provide me with the opportunity to represent you for two more years and continue the good work that has been completed and provide the necessary leadership for the work to be accomplished.
Most Sincerely,
Kurt Behrenfeld
County Legislator – District 6
Chairman, Budget and Finance Committee
posted by Kurt Behrenfeld @ 12:42 PM
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