2004 Yellow Book
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND MARKETS (Summary)
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Adjusted
Appropriation
2003-04
Executive
Request
2004-05
Change Percent
Change


AGENCY SUMMARY

General Fund 39,795,000 37,572,000 (2,223,000) -5.6%
Special Revenue-Other 36,735,000 37,070,000 335,000 0.9%
Special Revenue-Federal 42,432,000 44,932,000 2,500,000 5.9%
Capital 2,600,000 3,000,000 400,000 15.4%
Fiduciary 1,677,000 1,697,000 20,000 1.2%
Enterprise 19,793,000 20,105,000 312,000 1.6%

Total for AGENCY SUMMARY: 143,032,000 144,376,000 1,344,000 0.9%



 

ALL FUNDS PERSONNEL
BUDGETED FILL LEVELS
Fund Current
2003-04
Requested
2004-05
Change


General Fund: 371 354 (17)
All Other Funds: 170 170 0

TOTAL: 541 524 (17)

Budget Highlights

The Department of Agriculture and Markets is charged with fostering a competitive and safe New York State food and agricultural industry. Its major responsibilities include: encouraging the growth and prosperity of the State's agricultural and food industry; conducting various inspection and testing programs to enforce laws on food safety, animal and plant health, and accuracy in labeling. The Department also acts to preserve the use of agricultural resources, improve soil and water quality, and operate the annual State Fair in concert with the Industrial Exhibit Authority.

This Agency is included in the Transportation, Economic Development and Environmental Conservation appropriation bill.

State Operations

The Executive proposes an All Funds appropriation of $144,376,000 in State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2004-05. This represents a $1,344,000 net increase above SFY 2003-04 levels.

The Governor recommends a $1,583,000 decrease in General Fund State Operations appropriations, of which two major decreases are dependent on changes in law. The Executive recommends establishing a program of risk- based inspections of retail food stores, replacing the current annual inspection program. The proposal is expected to result in $1,100,000 in General Fund savings. In addition, the Executive recommends amending the Agriculture and Markets Law to eliminate the annual inspection of pet dealers and breeders and establish a risk- based inspection pet dealer and breeder program, using criteria developed by the Commissioner. Under current law, the Department inspects pet dealers once a year. The Executive recommends an appropriation decrease of $300,000 because General Fund savings are expected to result from the measure.

The Executive recommends total Special Revenue – Other appropriations of $37,070,000, reflecting a net increase of $355,000. This increase is attributable to fixed cost increases resulting from changes in the fringe benefit and indirect cost recovery rates.

The Executive recommends a total Special Revenue – Federal appropriation of $24,932,000, which reflects a $2,500,000 increase in anticipated additional Federal grants from the Farm Bill and from the United States Department of Agriculture.

The Executive also recommends increases in the Enterprise Fund of $312,000 and in the Fiduciary Fund of $20,000. These increases are attributable to increasing fringe and indirect costs.

Staffing

The Governor recommends 524 positions for SFY 2004-05, a net decrease of 17 positions from SFY 2003-04. The decrease is attributable to the elimination of 19 General Fund Consumer Food Services positions through attrition, and the creation of two General Fund Agricultural Business Services positions.

Aid to Localities

The Governor recommends an All Funds Aid to Localities appropriation of $32,162,000. This represents a net decrease of $640,000 from SFY 2003-04 levels, which is the result of a five percent reduction in General Fund spending.

Capital Projects

The Executive proposes in All Funds Capital Projects appropriation of $3,000,000 in SFY 2004-05. This represents a $400,000 net increase in SFY 2003-04 levels, and is attributable to an adjustment for ongoing State Fair capital projects.

Article VII Proposals

The Governor proposes Article VII legislation which would:

  • Establish a new biennial license fee of $100 on currently unregistered or unlicensed food establishments, as well as replacing annual inspections with risk based inspections with a schedule of frequency established by the Commissioner. The Executive projects that the fee will generate $381,000 and that the inspections will result in $1,100,000 in General Fund savings; and

  • Eliminate the annual inspection of pet dealers and breeders and establish a risk-based pet dealer and breeder inspection program, using criteria and a schedule of frequency developed by the Commissioner. The Executive projects that this proposal would result in $300,000 in General Fund savings.

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