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Borrowing Dominates Contentious Control Bd. Mtg.

Friday, November 2, 2007 06:19 PM - WBEN Newsroom
WBEN Reporter Barbara Burns - Exclusive WBEN Windows Media Audio

Buffalo, NY (WBEN) - A contentious meeting of Erie County's control board. The battle over borrowing continues between the control board and comptroller Mark Poloncarz.

It's a battle that's dragged on for months. The control board maintains it can borrow money cheaper than the county. Comptroller Mark Poloncarz dropped a bombshell accusing the control board of some underhanded behavior after he says he proved that was not the case. As a result, Poloncarz says two companies are no longer bidding on the county's business, a third has raised rates and just one is keeping rates steady. Vice Chairman Bob Glaser says the control board will look into Poloncarz's claim.

Meantime, the control board rejected the county's proposed 2008 budget and four year plan. Executive Director Ken Vetter says with overestimated revenues and underestimated expenses, 2008 alone could result in a $20 million budget gap. Budget Director Jim Hartman took issue, arguing the budget is in balance.

To hear more, click on the audio link above for a report from WBEN's Barbara Burns