February 6, 2007

Wanted: Open, Honest and Ethical Government
Minority Conference calls for reform of county’s
Board of Acquisition & Contract

Contact: George Oros
Tel: (914) 995-2828
Goo6@westchestergov.com

In its continued quest to reform county government, the Republican Conference of the Board of Legislators is looking to change the way the county’s Board of Acquisition & Contract operates.

Minority Leader George Oros (R-C/Cortlandt) said for too long the three-member panel, which consists of the county executive, Public Works commissioner and Board of Legislators chairman, has acted outside its scope and function by circumventing public input and oversight from the Legislature as a whole.

“One of the things that was clear from the results of the last election in November is people are looking for more open, honest and ethical government,” Oros said. “We need to implement stronger checks and balances within the county that will protect our individuals, taxpayers, property owners and municipalities from the dominance and unbridled power that corrupts governments.”

Under the current system, the Minority Conference maintained hundreds of millions of dollars of lengthy contracts are approved without any debate, discussion or a vote of the Board of Legislators. In an attempt to curtail that, the Minority Conference is proposing any contracts or leases of five years or more, including renewals, must be approved by the full Legislature.

In addition, the Minority Conference is recommending the Public Works commissioner be replaced on the Board of Acquisition & Contract by the budget director; each meeting be electronically recorded; and no emergency contract can exceed three years.

If the proposed law is adopted by the Board of Legislators, it would be subject to a public referendum. The Minority Conference is calling for approval by the Legislature no later than the summer to get on the ballot this November.