East Windsor Board of Finance
East Windsor, Connecticut
Minutes of Board Meeting of April 7, 2009
Present: Chairperson Marie DeSousa, Board Members Jason Bowsza, Robert Little and Jack Mannette. Kathy Pippin and Adam Mehan as Alternates. Absent: Joanne Koubek and Al Floyd. Also in attendance was Catherine Cabral, Treasurer.
Ms. DeSousa called the Budget Workshop meeting to order at 7:30PM in the East Windsor High School.
Ms DeSousa noted that the revenue projections discussed at the last meeting and to be discussed tonight are changing almost daily.
Ms. Cabral discussed the latest State Revenue figures. The current projection being used is approximately $6.08 million, based on a 10 – 15% decrease from the current year from the State. Mr. Mannette questioned various pieces of data in the CCM preliminary analysis, clarifying points on PILOT and Public School Transportation specifically. After adjusting the PILOT amount, the shortfall was approximately $2.3 million.
Ms. Cabral recommended $1 million to Fund Balance Appropriation. She also noted that she was still waiting for more information on potential re-bonding savings.
Laurie Whitten added that there should be more fee revenue coming in from smaller things not previously done from her department. She noted that they were mostly very small amounts, but could help out.
Mr. Mannette provided details on the General Fund. The General Fund currently stands at $4.7 million, which is at 13% of maximum current expenditures. The auditors say 8 – 10% is in the safe range. Last year we took $1.4 million, which dropped the percentage from 16% to the current 13%. Another $1.4 million for this year would drop the percentage to 9%. $1.1 million would leave the percentage at 10%. Mr. Little and Mr. Mehan expressed concern about the buffer for following years budgets, even if dropping to 9 – 10% left us in the Auditors’ safe range for this budget. The decision was made to use $1.25 million, which would keep the percentage between 9 – 10%. This left a revised shortfall of approximately $1.08 million after using the General Fund.
Discussion moved to the expense side, though it was quickly realized that more details would be available to this Board tomorrow, after the Board of Selectman’s meeting tonight. Topics and/or Departments expected to be discussed tomorrow include Board of Education, Ambulance Association, Dog Fund, Fire Marshall and any departments that did not come in at the recommended 0% increase.
Motion to adjourn made by Ms. DeSousa at 8:44, seconded by Mr. Little.
Respectfully submitted,
Adam Mehan
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