BOARD OF FINANCE
MINUTES
May 16, 2007
I. CALL TO ORDER – Chairman Tom Harrison called the meeting to order at 8:15 p.m. immediately following the Referendum. Members present were Margaret Bratton, Cathy Durdan, Tom Gugliotti, Bill Hooper and Mike Monts. Jim Speich was absent.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chairman waived the Pledge of Allegiance for this meeting.
III. OLD BUSINESS
06/07-24 FY0-07/08 budget – Set tax rate 25.55 mills
Chairman Harrison thanked the voters in attendance for approving the Board of Finance’s recommendation with a very positive result. The yes votes were 953 and the no votes were 447. We had more than 9% minimum turnout of the registered voters which actually determined the outcome. In view of the favorable vote, the only thing we have to do now is set the mill rate for the 07/08 fiscal year at 25.55 mills.
On a motion by Tom Harrison and seconded by Bill Hooper , it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Board of Finance approve the tax rate for the FY 07/08 fiscal year of 25.55 mills. Messrs. Harrison, Gugliotti, Hooper, Monts and Mmes. Bratton and Durdan voted in favor.
VI. NEW BUSINESS
06/07-17 Approve Suspense List
Collector of Revenues, Kay Roth attended the meeting to answer questions and comment.
Mrs. Roth reported that the majority of the items on the Suspense List are uncollectible motor vehicle payments. There is one property owner outstanding that is responsible for a large percentage of these taxes. The party has been incarcerated and the cars have been repossessed, but she was not able to get any written proof to reduce them and they are recommended for Suspense. The Marshal is working with someone from the State’s Attorney General’s Office to see if he can give us a lead as to an avenue we might pursue. The others are people either are not paying because they are leasing now and they feel they don’t have to respond to the debt because they are not going to be held up from registering, and the others are people who are leaving Avon and do not
plan to come back. Mr. Hooper questioned that if you wanted to renew your license or registration, doesn’t the Department of Motor Vehicles catch them at this point. And Kay responded that they do not catch them
Mr. Gugliotti asked the question, because she has done this for several years, what is the percentage of collections and Kay’s response was as of today, it was 99.69%, which he replied is not bad. Kay felt that it was not a good percentage and Phil said that Kay has the highest collection rate , other than the Town of Torrington, which we don’t include because they contract their list out, for which they have a special statutory authorization to do so. Aside from Torrington, the Town of Avon, and Kay have the highest collection rate in the State of Connecticut. She was congratulated by the members. ----------------- Mr. Harrison mentioned for the newcomers on the Board, that this is not a new thing for Kay, it’s 99% every year, all the time. Kay was congratulated for the fine job she does each year.
On a motion by Tom Gugliotti and seconded by Ms. Bratton , it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Board of Finance approve the Suspense List as recommended by the Collector of Revenue, attached and made a part of these minutes. Messers. Harrison, Gugliotti, Hooper, Monts and Mmes. Bratton and Durdan voted in favor.
VI. OTHER BUSINESS – Town Manager Phil Schenck mentioned that the Board of Finance regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 21, 2007, and wanted to know if they still wanted to proceed with that meeting. Chairman Harrison asked if there was any business and if not there was no need to meet on May 21, 2007.
IX. ADJOURN
On a motion made by Mr. Harrison, seconded by Mr. Monts , it was voted:
RESOLVED: That the Board of Finance Meeting adjourn at 8:25 p.m.
Messrs. Harrison, Gugliotti, Hooper, Monts and Mrs. Bratton and Durdan voted in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Thomas Gugliotti, Secretary
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