Posted by: Josh Boose

Created: July 31, 2008

The state isn't the only one worrying about budget problems. Erie County's chief financial officer had a lot to say about what the trends are showing so far this year.

"Last year at this time we were saying it looked like the county would end with a surplus and it did," said Erie County Comptroller Mark Poloncarz. "This year I can't say that."

Poloncarz is sending a warning. Sales tax revenue in the county, he says, has dropped by four percent in the second quarter of this year. And he's concerned the county will end up with less money than they planned for.

"I don't see another budget crisis looming because this is definitely coverable," Poloncarz said. "But what I am doing is warning, unlike in prior budget crises when nobody said anything." "Are we at the point yet where we are looking at cuts down the road," 2 On Your Side's Josh Boose asked Erie County Executive Chris Collins.

"No", Collins replied. "We're still running a surplus."

Collins isn't as worried as Poloncarz.

"The administration has anticipated this for the past five months frankly," said Collins.

Collins says he's been cutting since January. The examples he gave; a county hiring freeze, a freeze on outside travel and reductions in take home cars and county-owned cell phones.

But Poloncarz is urging more caution. He says spending is down and it's likely fewer Canadians are coming over the bridges to spend money.

He says some projects, like the reconstruction of Tonawanda Creek Road, need to be re-thought.

"That's been sitting out there for years," said Poloncarz. "Now is not the time to do the Tonawanda Creek Road project when we are facing issues with the amount of cash on hand."

"Is it still a good time to do that," Boose asked Collins. "Absolutely," said Collins. "The gremlins do not come in at night and fix our roads. It takes money. For the county to put up $500-thousand, which is right in our budget, to do a $3.5 million road repair for the residents who have been without that road for four years is absolutely proper use of county money."

Boose asked Collins what he will do to make sure the county doesn't end up in a situation like it did a few years ago or end up in the same boat the state is in right now. Collins said his office is constantly looking for more ways to save. He said, right now he's looking into not filling some vacant positions as