The professional staff members in my Accounting Division have been busy implementing new procedures to expedite the paying of vendor bills which I believe will cut down on the time it takes to make payment, as well as the paper we use, thereby saving additional dollars in the long run. They are also finding what we believe are questionable bills and ensuring that before payment is made we are only paying for the services that were rendered, and services that benefit the taxpayer.

Also, one of my goals since taking office was releasing quarterly reports on the financial status of Erie County, and I am proud to report that because of the hard work of my staff, my office issued comprehensive and detailed quarterly reports on Erie County's finances for the first and second quarter of this fiscal year - the first time such reports have been issued. Copies of each report may be viewed in pdf format here:

• 2006 First Quarter Financial Report for Erie County.
• 2006 Second Quarter Financial Report for Erie County.
• 2006 Third Quarter Financial Report for Erie County.
• 2006 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report
• 2007 First Quarter Financial Report for Erie County.
• 2007 Second Quarter Financial Report for Erie County.

I believe these reports will help the county executive, legislature, Erie County Fiscal Stability Authority and Wall Street better understand the issues facing Erie County by reporting on what my office believes to be the current financial condition of the county. Quarterly reports on financial conditions are standard in the private sector, and have become the norm in Erie County during my term in office.