The Erie County Control Board is no longer in a control period. The board voted to approve the latest changes to County Executive Chris Collins' four-year plan and revert to an advisory, or soft, status.

Collins' plan was submitted to the control board last week. After several changes and rejections, the control board has agreed this plan. Collins says, "It's a good day for Erie County. It sends a signal across the county that Erie County has its financial house in order, and certainly for business, it's a positive they're not going to have to worry about the county not having its matters in place."

Erie County Comptroller Mark Poloncarz felt the control board should have been soft., or in advisory, for the past couple of years. Poloncarz points to the county having a balanced budget for the past four years and an increase in the "rainy day fund." Poloncarz  says with the control board's change to advisory, he can now make the borrowing necessary without control board approval. He says the county's bond rating has improved over the past two years.

The plan eliminates the requirement of control board approval for new hires and for contracts of more than $50,000.

Collins says he'll now collect his full salary. He had only taken one dollar each month until the control board became soft.

© Copyright 2009, WBEN