LOCKPORT – The Niagara County Health Department’s proposed 2014 budget, unveiled by Deputy Director Victoria A. Pearson last week, showed a spending increase of more than $2 million, primarily caused by growth in preschool special education.
The number of children in the state-mandated program increased by 8 percent in the 2012-13 school year, Pearson said in a memorandum to the Board of Health. The program alone accounted for more than half of the increase, or $1.1 million. The state covers 59.5 percent of the cost of the handicapped children’s programs, Pearson said.
County Manager Jeffrey M. Glatz had set a $9.63 million target for the county Health Department’s net county cost, after state aid and other revenues are included. Pearson handed in a budget with a net cost $108,282 higher than the target, which she blamed on the mandated preschool program’s costs. The department is not proposing any changes in the number of employees in 2014.
The number of children in the state-mandated program increased by 8 percent in the 2012-13 school year, Pearson said in a memorandum to the Board of Health. The program alone accounted for more than half of the increase, or $1.1 million. The state covers 59.5 percent of the cost of the handicapped children’s programs, Pearson said.
County Manager Jeffrey M. Glatz had set a $9.63 million target for the county Health Department’s net county cost, after state aid and other revenues are included. Pearson handed in a budget with a net cost $108,282 higher than the target, which she blamed on the mandated preschool program’s costs. The department is not proposing any changes in the number of employees in 2014.