REPORT ON COUNTY BUDGET MAY BE MOUSE CLICK AWAY.(CAPITAL REGION)

Byline: MICHELE MORGAN BOLTON Staff writer

County Democrats and Republicans are jointly sponsoring a move to post a report on the proposed 2001 Rensselaer County budget on the Legislature's Web site.

Chairman of the Legislature Neil J. Kelleher, R-Lansingburgh, and Bill Dedrick, D-North Greenbush, said last week they're working together on the measure to help better inform residents about how the county spending plan is put together.

The report, compiled annually by the county auditor's office to assist legislators in reviewing the proposed plan, will go online in early November as soon as it is completed.

It will contain information and analyses on the proposed county budget, along with comparative figures, they said.

``Our aim is to keep residents informed and involved in the development of the 2001 county budget,'' Kelleher said. ``They can now review the budget from the comfort of their own home and office.

``This is a great way to use new technology to inform the public about how their tax dollars are being spent,'' added Dedrick, who has long advocated for budget information to be posted on the Internet.

Residents are also being encouraged to e-mail or write to legislators with their comments.

``Rensselaer County residents will have more opportunities and more avenues to review and comment on the proposed county budget,'' Kelleher said. ``We encourage them to let their feelings be known. The more comment, the better.''

Rensselaer County Executive Henry Zwack also said last week he will post the tentative 2001 budget on the county's Web site as soon as it is completed.

Zwack's budget is due Oct. 20.

Two subsequent public hearings are set for Thursday, Nov. 9, at 5:30 p.m., and Tuesday, Nov. 28, at 5:30 p.m. in the Legislative Chamber, located in the County Office Building at 1600 Seventh Avenue in downtown Troy.

The Legislature will also hold a special meeting Monday, Dec. 4, at 6 p.m. to adopt the budget and on Dec. 20, also at 6 p.m., legislators will discuss changes to the current 2000 budget as well as for the 2001 plan.

The auditor's report will be posted this week on http://www.rensselaercounty.org. The county's Web site is located at http://www.rensco.com.