Personnel committee amends vacancy-control budget, removes two placeholder legislative-counsel lines

The Putnam County Personnel Committee voted May 12 to remove two placeholder legislative-counsel positions from Budgetary Amendment 26A043 and to pre-file the amended resolution.

Commissioner Carlin presented the standard quarterly vacancy-control report, saying the amendment accrues savings from positions that are budgeted but remain vacant. "This is the standard quarterly report on vacancy control," Commissioner Carlin said.

Legislator Sayegh sought clarification that funds from vacant positions are returned to the general fund; Commissioner Carlin confirmed that is the practice. Legislator Montgomery asked that funds for two Legislative Counsel lines remain in the Legislature’s budget, noting the positions were "just allocated" as placeholders and a structure for the roles has not yet been determined. Legislator Birmingham supported keeping the funds in the Legislature’s budget, saying the positions had been budgeted without final salary determinations.

Chairwoman Addonizio moved to remove positions 101010116 and 101010117 from Budgetary Amendment 26A043; Legislator Sayegh seconded. The committee voted "all in favor," approving the amendment. Chairwoman Addonizio then moved to pre-file the necessary resolution as amended; Legislator Sayegh seconded, and the motion passed "all in favor."

The committee also recorded an accident report and an incident report as "duly noted," had no other business, and adjourned at 8:48 p.m.

What happens next: The committee pre-filed the amended resolution for the Legislature; no further committee votes on the item were recorded in the Personnel Committee minutes.