TOWN OF FARMINGTON
BUDGET COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday – May 28, 2008
356 Main Street - Farmington, NH
Members Present: Chairman Mike Morin, Ann Titus, Brian St. Onge, Steve Henry, Jim Horgan and Arthur Capello (arrived at 8:37 pm).
Selectmen's Rep: Gail Ellis
School Board Rep: Joe Pitre
Chairman Morin called the meeting to order at 7:12 pm.
1. Review of Minutes:
Joe Pitre motioned to approve the minutes of 4-23-2008 as written, 2nd Ann Titus. Motion carried with Mike Morin abstaining.
2. Tabled Expenditure Report:
Jim Horgan motioned to bring the school expenditure report review from 4-23-08 back on the table for discussion, 2nd Brian St. Onge. Discussion followed in which the committee discussed they have updated sheets from this month. Motion failed with all opposed except for Mike Morin who abstained. However it was questioned why the lunch deposits shown only go up to 4-7-2008 when the report was printed on 5-15-08.
3. Review School Bud-Stats:
A. Mike poled the committee to see if they would like to continue to receive the full detail report or just the summary sheet. The committee was in agreement that the summary sheet would be sufficient however they would like the full detail sheet for their July and January meetings so that they have the end of the fiscal year and year end reports to review.
B. Jim asked if the state and federal funding for the schools is a definite amount each year. Mike responded no that there is no guarantee on this funding and that if it is not received in it’s entirety than the SAU has to cut the budget and/or the town had to pay the rest out of the unreserved fund balance. Jim asked if the SAU has a reserve account and Mike explained that any remaining funds at the end of each fiscal year are returned to the town and placed in the unreserved fund balance for emergencies.
C. Brian asked why the estimated revenues couldn’t be filled in on the school revenue report. Brian St. Onge motioned to request that the school board input the estimated revenues into the appropriate column on the 2-page revenue summary, 2nd Steve Henry. Motion carried with Mike Morin abstaining.
D. Joe commented that this year’s tuition from Middleton is about $100,000 behind.
E. Mike questioned if the 2% left in this year’s fiscal budget is going to be sufficient for the remainder of the year. Joe responded that he is told it will be enough and that in fact they say there will be a surplus of about $140,000 after paying the warrants.
4. Town Budget Reports:
A. Brian questioned lines 01-4902-70-720 (Purchase of building) and line 01-4902-70-763 (Trustees) as to what they are for since they were not budgeted for. Gail will check and report back to the committee.
5. Old Business:
A. Policies and Procedures - Brian requested a copy of the policies and procedures and the board decided to table the discussion until the next meeting so that all members had the chance to consider the suggestions by town counsel for changes.
B. Jim asked what happened to the $19,600 that was originally earmarked for the preservation guild. Gail explained that the money was put in an account under the Parks & Rec. Department for the explore program only.
6.New Business:
A. The committee discussed that large technology purchase the school board is considering to meet the state requirements. Many questions were raised as to why this purchase is just now coming to light when the requirements have been in place for several years. Steve asked what would happen if the schools did not purchase the equipment by June 30, 2008 and Joe said they would lose the grant money. It was commented that it would be wiser to lose the grant money than spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on equipment the town is unsure they need or will want to replace in two years. It was discussed that interested members of this committee should attend the public session of the school board meeting to get their questions answered.
B. Gail questioned if the SAU put out a bid for property for a new SAU site and Joe said he does not know anything about it.
C. Brian asked for a copy of the state technological requirements.
D. Mike is going to try and schedule a meeting with DRA for next month.
E. There are three open seats on the budget committee.
F. The next meeting is scheduled for 6-25-08.
Joe Pitre motioned to adjourn, 2nd Gail Ellis. Motion passed with all in favor.
Mike Morin adjourned the meeting at 9:26 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Brandy Sanger
Recording Secretary
___________________________
Ann Titus, Secretary
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