What You Should Know About Orange County Government

WHERE DO “WE THE PEOPLE” FIT IN THE PROCEEDINGS OF ORANGE COUNTY GOVERNMENT?
Like many town and village government meetings, there is provision for public comment at
Legislative meetings. Comment during committee meetings is at the discretion of the committee chair. The minutes of County meetings are posted on the website. Read them. It is apparent that there is limited public input in the County government process.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO GET ORANGE COUNTY GOVERNMENT TO WORK FOR US?
The most important thing that you can do is VOTE for a representative who will include you in the Legislative process. Remember, elected officials define their own role. There is no job description or list of duties. When election day is over, stay in touch with your Legislator. Your opinions and concerns are important. Always ask questions, and make sure you get answers. Government is expensive. Make sure you get your money’s worth.

HOW MUCH IS ORANGE COUNTY GOVERNMENT COSTING YOU?
The total taxation required in the 2009 adopted Orange County budget was set at $346,433,680 when the Legislature voted in December, 2008. That included the salaries for 21 part-time Legislators at $760,524. Each year, in December, the Legislature votes on the budget for the following year. Salary increases are voted on with the adoption of the budget and are recorded in the minutes of the meeting of the Legislature. Since 2002, most County budgets have been adopted unanimously by our representatives in the Legislature.

ARE YOU GETTING YOUR MONEY’S WORTH?
For more info on taxation visit www.orangecountynywatch.com The current Legislator for District 9 has never voted against a budget in the last eight years. Yet taxpayers continue to pay a salary and benefits for part-time representation, and will continue to pay benefits for that service even after retirement.

NEW YORK STATE IS ENCOURAGING LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO BECOME MORE CONSUMER FRIENDLY. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN TO YOU?
The primary role of government is to serve and to protect the health and welfare of the citizens. This is done with the consent of the governed. However, a vibrant and vital democracy is dependent on a well informed populace who are given the opportunity to participate in the process of government. Orange County has a top down structure of government. This is a Charter County with an elected County Executive who has a considerable amount of power as the administrative head of government. The Legislature establishes policy and must approve all expenditures.

HOW DOES ORANGE COUNTY GOVERNMENT WORK?
The County Executive initiates the Legislative process by presenting an item for consideration. In turn, this item is discussed in party caucus, is sent to the department commissioner, and is reviewed by the legal department, the budget department, and the personnel department. The County Executive and the department head then present the item to the appropriate Legislative committee. Upon the vote of the committee, the item is sent to the full Legislature for a vote. The Executive can either sign the resolution or veto it. The 2009 adopted budget is on the Orange County website.