Monterey Select Board
Minutes of the meeting of 12/21/13
Meeting Opened at: 8:40am
Select Board Members Present: Muriel Lazzarini, Chairperson, Wayne Burkhart and Scott Jenssen (arrived at 9:10am)
Also in attendance for parts of the meeting: Don Clawson, Mari Enoch, Bethany Mielke, Pat Mielke and Brendan Fletcher
The purpose of this meeting is to make sure that everyone here today and that is involved in the financial affairs of the town be aware of what has happened, what is now in the process of happening and to discuss what needs to happen in the future.
Tax Rate and Levy Capacity:
1. The FY14 tax rate has been set at $6.08 which will be an approximate $147/year increase on a $300,000 home.
2. According to Don Clawson the levy capacity is below $7,400 this is due to $70,000 in expenses which included a $6,800 payment to Verizon which goes back to 2009, a large increase in Monterey’s school assessment, an overage of salt and sand, the fire department training budget, funds added at town meeting for the WMH property and a collection of other overages from various departments.
3. Our maximum allowable levy is $3,062,383
4. Muriel pointed out that during a 4 year span (2009 – 2013) the tax rate has increased by $0.38 and that this one year increase is $0.49. Discussion ensued about the severity of our situation.
Tax Collector:
1. Mari stated that her software company is going the extra mile to get her materials ASAP so that she can meet the Dec 31st deadline for mailing out tax bills.
Reconciling of the Accountant and Treasurer’s books:
1. All involved will be available at some point if Eric Kinsherf needs their input while here on Monday. Everyone is hopeful that this time with Mr. Kinsherf will prove to be fruitful, but is unknown at this time. Pat is now helping Brendan to correct a number of past errors so that Monday will go more smoothly. Once the books are reconciled Bethany and Brendan will establish a schedule to get the past six months up to date. Pat suggested that it would take at least 2 months. Muriel expressed her desire that it be completed in less time with 6 weeks being the maximum. When completed a quarterly meeting for reconciliation will occur with Don and Mari also in attendance.
Everyone left the meeting feeling that they knew what was expected of them and how their work affects everyone else’s work. Everyone has bought into this plan and all said that they do feel the urgency of the situation.
A motion was made and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at: 9:30am
Submitted by:
Melissa Noe, Executive Secretary
Approved by:
Monterey Select Board
Select Board Members
Minutes Book
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