BOARD OF FINANCE – SPECIAL MEETING
MINUTES
June 17, 2004
I. CALL TO ORDER – The meeting was called to order at 10:00 p.m. by Chairman Tom Harrison immediately following the Public Hearing at the Community Room, Avon Senior Center. Members Present, Tom Gugliotti, Bill Hooper, Steve McGuff, Mike Monts, Jim Speich and Mark Zacchio.
The Chairman welcomed concerned voters to this special meeting to recommend a revised budget figure to the Town Council for Referendum and advised there would be no public comment at this meeting.. He explained originally the request was for the Town Council to reduce their requested budget by $193,000. However, after close scrutiny, the Council has reported they are willing to make reductions of $310,000.
Mr. Harrison indicated that considering the $310,000 will result in a tax increase of 2.96% which he does not feel will be pass. He strongly recommends an overall reduction to less than 3%. In addition to the $310,000 from the Town Council, he would take an additional $50,000 to $100,000 from the Board of Education. If we were to take another $82,666. that would result in total reductions of three hundred ninety-two and change and would fit the 2/3 to 1/3 ratio. This would require a mill rate of 23.44 and 2.784% tax increase.
Mr. Speich first asked if the Board of Education has any idea how much they could absorb, if any. Ms. Roell indicated until the Board meets, she cannot make such an offer. Mr. Speich feels in order to present a budget that will pass, we should consider accepting the $310,000 from the Council and no more than $50,000 from the Board of Education.
Mr. Hooper asked if there have been any changes such as retirements to the Board of Ed. Mr. Kisiel reported no – these latest figures take into consideration any such changes. Mr. Hines indicated several changes that the Council has already initiated. He agrees we have to be under 3% increase and also an additional $50,000 from the Board of Ed.
Mr. Monts agrees with accepting the $310,000 from the Town Council and an additional $50,000 from the Board of Ed. He feels these figures will be acceptable to the voters taking into consideration the growth and the economic climate at the present time.
Mr. Gugliotti welcomes the Town Council’s offer of $310,000 in additional reductions and he feels the Town Council should decide whether the funds come from Operating or Capital. He will advocate in the future asking the people of Avon to ask themselves – What is it that they want the Town of Avon to be?
Mr. Zacchio approves accepting the $310,000 from the Town Council and also an additional $63,000 from the Board of Education, resulting in a 2.8% increase in spending.
Mr. McGuff has recommended accepting the $310,000 from the Town council, taking $216,000 from the Council’s budget and returning $50,000 to Board of Education’s budget.
After further discussion, on a motion made by Mr. Hooper, seconded by Mr. Zacchio, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Board of Finance recommends a gross Budget of $55,996,649, resulting in a tax increase of 2.872% and a levy of 23.46 mills.
Messrs. Harrison, Gugliotti, Hooper, McGuff, Monts, Speich and Zacchio voted in favor.
On a motion made by Mr. Zacchio, seconded by Mr. Hooper, it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Board of Finance adjourn at 10:35 p.m.
Messrs. Harrison, Gugliotti, Hooper, McGuff, Monts, Speich and Zacchio voted in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Thomas A. Gugliotti, Secretary
Attest: Elinor Burns, Clerk
BoF 6-17-04 (2)
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