TOWN OF FARMINGTON
BUDGET COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday - September 17, 2008
356 Main Street - Farmington, NH
Members Present: Mike Morin, Ann Titus, Brian St. Onge, Cindy Snowdon and Jim Horgan.
Members Excused: Arthur Capello and Steve Henry
Selectmen's Rep: Gail Ellis
School Board Rep: Joe Pitre
Public Present: School Finance Administrator Dan McGillicuddy
Chairman Mike Morin called the meeting to order at 7:08pm.
1. Review of Minutes:
A. Ann Titus motioned to accept the minutes of 5-28-08 as amended to change the meeting was adjourned by Joe Pitre and not Mike Morin, 2nd Brian St. Onge. Discussion followed in which Brian noted the estimated revenue column is still not inputted into the current revenue report from the schools like he requested at the May meeting. A lengthy discussion was held on whether or not the current software could utilize these numbers and if there are real numbers to input. The committee was in consensus that they are aware the estimated revenue is just a best guess but that it would be better than nothing in that column. Dan McGillicuddy added that he will be attending training on the new software next month and is hoping to have the program online by the first of the new year.
Brian also asked Gail if she received an explanation on the "purchase of the building line" and the "trustee line" that he questioned about during the May meeting also. Gail replied that the purchase of the building line was a glitch in the system that Pam Merrill is working on and she is still working on the trustee line explanation. Motion carried with Cindy Snowdon abstaining.
B. Jim Horgan motioned to approve the 8-27-08 minutes as amended to reflect the meeting was adjourned by Brian St. Onge, 2nd Ann Titus. Motion carried with Mike Morin abstaining.
2. Budstat Review:
A. School Budstats and Revenue Reports:
1. The committee reviewed the school budstat and revenue reports. Cindy asked if the tuition for Middleton is set before or after the fuel costs are calculated and Dan explained that the tuition rate is set well before in December. Subsequently, Cindy asked who pays for the additional heating costs if it is significantly under budgeted for and Dan explained that they make cuts and rearrange the budget to make it work the best they can.
2. The committee discussed that it would be helpful to get a budstat that reflected a full month and not three days of activity like tonight's report does so they can review the monthly expenditures.
3. Gail asked why the adjusted budget lines are the same as the original budget lines. Dan explained that there have not been any adjustments yet but when and if the CBA passes the budget will need to be adjusted.
4. Mike asked if there is a new nurse in the district and it was answered that there is a new nurse but not an additional position. The committee noticed that line (10-2130-1121-2) and (10-2130-1121-2) and (10-2130-1121-4) are all for CNA which doesn't make any sense because there is only one CNA that is split between the Henry Wilson upper and lower. Joe and Dan will seek and explanation though Dan feels it is just an error in the inputting.
5. Cindy asked what line (10-1200-1122-3) special ed. translator is specifically for. Dan said he knows the high school had to pick up translators for hearing impaired students so this would be an unexpected cost in the budget.
6. Dan explained that the salaries and contracts are encumbered at the beginning of the year and then as they are paid throughout the year the encumbrance line goes down and the expended line goes up.
7. Mike asked if the school is currently being audited and Dan said yes. Mike asked for a copy of the town's auditor report for 2007.
8. Dan reported that the school board would do their first round of budget presentations on 11/10 and 11/17.
B. Review of Town Budstats:
1. Mike asked why the legal services line (4153-10-320) is 21% overspent and Gail responded that the town has several ongoing legal issues.
2. Mike asked what is happening with the Explore Program and the $19,600 that was earmarked for it. Gail replied that the new brochure is being reviewed now and will be going out for publication and that most of the money is still in the account, though it is still titled Preservation Guild.
3. Brian asked why there are a lot of zero line items in the landfill budget like the tire removal and demolition fee lines. Gail said she would look into this.
4. Mike asked how the town faired in the most recent September rain event because he heard the county applied for aid. Gail replied she hasn't heard of anything but she would check.
5. Brian asked if the school part of the tax rate is set yet and Joe said he would check.
6. Mike asked what tax rate the "taxes paid to school district" line was used and Gail said she would check.
3. New Business:
A. The committee rediscussed wanting the anticipated revenue line inputted in the school budstat sheets and then came to the consensus that a separate excel sheet with all the budget lines listed and how the anticipated revenue is estimated into each line item would be sufficient.
B. Mike requested the MS-24, MS-25, MS-5 and MS-4.
C. The committee set the dates for the school department heads to present their proposed budgets for December 3,9,10 and 11 at 6:30pm in the Selectmen Chambers.
Next meeting scheduled for 10-22-08 at 7pm in the Selectmen Chambers.
Gail Ellis motioned to adjourn, 2nd Ann Titus. Motion passed with Joe Pitre opposed and Mike Morin abstaining.
Chairman Morin adjourned the meeting at 9:42pm.
Respectfully Submitted,Brandy SangerRecording Secretary
AnnTitus, Secretary ____________________________
September 17, 2008 Budget Committee Requests/Questions
Brian also asked Gail if she received an explanation on the "purchase of the building line" and the "trustee line" that he questioned about during the May meeting also. Gail replied that the purchase of the building line was a glitch in the system that Pam Merrill is working on and she is still working on the trustee line explanation.
The committee noticed that line (10-2130-1121-2) and (10-2130-1121-2) and (10-2130-1121-4) are all for CNA which doesn't make any sense because there is only one CNA that is split between the Henry Wilson upper and lower. Joe and Dan will seek and explanation though Dan feels it is just an error in the inputting.
Cindy asked what line (10-1200-1122-3) special ed. translator is specifically for.
Mike asked for a copy of the town's auditor report for 2007.
Brian asked why there are a lot of zero line items in the landfill budget like the tire removal and demolition fee lines.
Mike asked how the town faired in the most recent September rain event because he heard the county applied for aid. Gail replied she hasn't heard of anything but she would check.
Brian asked if the school part of the tax rate is set yet and Joe said he would check.
Mike asked what tax rate the "taxes paid to school district" line was used and Gail said she would check.
a separate excel sheet with all the budget lines listed and how the anticipated revenue is estimated into each line item would be sufficient.
Mike requested the MS-24, MS-25, MS-5 and MS-4.
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