CANTON — St. Lawrence County legislators approved the creation of a capital reserve fund they hope to invest $5-10 million in over the next five years for major equipment repairs, however one legislator voiced opposition to the strategy.
Though the resolution to establish the capital reserve passed by a 12-3 vote, Legislators John Gennett, Rita Curran and Joseph Lightfoot opposed the measure during the Dec. 1 Full Board meeting.
In response to the resolution, Gennett questioned what he felt was vague language about the scope of repairs that would be funded.
“What constitutes something to go in this blackhole bucket of money for repairs?” Gennett questioned.
Since 2018, St. Lawrence County has established six reserves and funded them in anticipation of repairs required to maintain county-owned equipment.
But Gennett questioned what the process would be to approve the release of funds, as well as the scope of repairs.
“What ever goes in stays in there? Do things come out? Is there a limit like, ‘Hey, we’ve fixed this thing for 20 goddamn times. Why are we doing this again?,” Gennett said.
He called the reserve “a big bucket of money” that appears to have limited checks and balances.
“I mean, it’s just a big bucket of money. For a million bucks too? I mean come on,” he said.
County Administrator Ruth Doyle addressed Gennett concerns, saying the county was in a position to “look forward” and plan for major repairs following a bonding measure that saw the county purchase $3 million in equipment.
She said proper maintenance was lacking in years prior, something the county wants to avoid after investing so much.
Doyle said the county looked back on how funds were not available to make major repairs in the past, which led to the suggestion to create the fund.
She noted funds would only be distributed with board approval and are intended for major capital repairs, not “day-to-day” repairs.
“There would also need to be a use case brought forward to make any access available to this reserve,” she said.
“That’s a whole…wow, OK. I would love to discuss this more,” Gennett responded.
“That seems like it’s going to get out of hand fast…why do departments have contingencies then?” Gennett said.
He said the fund appeared to be “like a whole other department as it is,” saying that he was also concerned about who would do some repairs.
Gennett said in some cases the county simply doesn’t have the proper staff or equipment to conduct repairs, requiring them to outsource the work.
Chairman David Forsythe also posed a hypothetical question during the discussion.
“And I have a what if. We had a $250,000 payloader disappear and end up on the other side of the river. Would that fall under this category, potentially?” he asked Doyle.
“Should we have not been fortunate with our Sheriff’s Office to locate that equipment, likely,” she said.
“Ok, just wondering,” Forsythe said.
Gennett then moved to table the resolution to further discuss and refine the checks and balances but was defeated 13-2, with Legislator Curran supporting his motion.
The resolution eventually passed 12-3 with Gennett, Curran and Lightfoot in opposition.
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