302 Main Street Old Saybrook, Connecticut 06475-1741
BOARD OF FINANCE MINUTES MEETING WITH BOARD OF EDUCATION MARCH 1, 2016 at 6:00 P.M. |
The Board of Education held their special meeting and invited the Board of Finance on its regular meeting night to listen to a budget presentation by the Board of Education. From the Board of Education, present were:
Board Members Others
Kelley Kennedy Jan Perruccio, Superintendent of Schools
Eileen Baker Julie Pendleton, Dir. Operations, Facilities & Finance
James Henderson Kathy Bai, Dir. of Pupil and Professional Services
Phil Broadhurst Sheila Riffle, Principal at Old Saybrook High School
George Chang Mandy Ryan,Principal OldSaybrook Middle School
Holly King Matt Walton, Associate Principal at Old Saybrook
Joanne Sullivan Middle School
BOF Attendant Members Absent Members
David LaMay, Chairman Greg Gernhardt
Brad Thorpe, Vice Chairman
Tom Stevenson
John O’Brien
Barry O’Nell
Breck Lindley
In Attendance
Gerri Lewis, Clerk
- CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
BOE Chairman Kennedy called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. in the Old Saybrook Middle School Library and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
- JOINT WORKSHOP WITH BOARD OF FINANCE
Board Member Brodeur arrived at 6:10 p.m.
2015 – 2016 Board of Education Budget Update
Ms. Perruccio and Ms. Pendleton reported on all the encumbrances for salaries, benefits, transportation, special education, and utilities that have been projected though June 30, 2016. It is anticipated that there are approximately $150,000 of unencumbered funds that will be needed to complete the school year. The district expects to receive excess cost and agency placement money for this fiscal year of approximately $390,000 based on receiving 70% of our expenditures reimbursed that are above the state agency placed and local placed thresholds. Based on this projection, expected revenue, and other purchases to be made, we will begin to determine which capital projects will be completed for the remainder of this fiscal year. The budget is currently balanced and in good standing.
2016 - 2017 Proposed Board of Education Budget Discussion
Ms. Perruccio presented the 2016 – 2017 Proposed Budget to the Board of Finance.
Ms. Perruccio began the presentation by outlining Budgetary Goals for the 2016 – 2017 year. These goals include:
- Support the district strategic plan
- Support programmatic, curricular, and enrollment needs
- Support fiscal responsibility
- Support professional development
- Support thoughtful resource allocation
- Support a multi-year maintenance plan
- Support local and state initiatives
Budget development takes place through the identification of district goals and the appointment of priorities on needs for each building. The District Leadership Team reviews the priorities for each building and strategic plan action steps and program needs. The team also looks for different cost saving opportunities, reviews enrollment projections for the upcoming year and seek opportunities for sources of revenue.
Ms. Perruccio explained that the first step is to develop the Sustained Services budget, which represents the continuation of the exact programs utilizing the same resources from the current school year, would result in an increase of 2.80% or $697.025. The next step is to develop the Administrators’ Budget, which is done by each administrator independently using a zero based budget procedure and working with staff to identify needs. This means that each administrator’s budget begins at $0.00 and programs/resources are added into the budget based on need. This process helps to identify district priorities and results in a more accurate proposal. The Administrators’ Budget represented an increase in 5.41% or $1,348,851.
The next step in the budget proposal process is the Superintendent’s Budget Proposal. This budget is derived from meetings between the Superintendent, Director of Operations, Facilities, & Finance, and district administrators. Collectively, the Administrators’ Budget is reviewed and revised by the Superintendent and Director of Operations, Facilities, & Finance as appropriate. The final step of the of the budgeting process is to present the proposed budget to the Budget and Fiscal Committee and subsequently to the Board of Education for review. The Board approved and adopted the budget on February 2, 2016. The Board’s Budget presented to the Board of Finance reflects an increase of 2.74% or $682,882.
The Superintendent presented Budget History from the last five fiscal years and a breakdown of the district’s primary budget drivers: Personnel, Health Insurance Benefits, Special Education Tuition, Transportation, and Capital Maintenance and Equipment.
Ms. Perruccio concluded with highlights from the budget. Significant areas of savings include: reduction of two teaching positions, cooperative purchasing, stabilized medical costs, competitive bidding, capital planning/sinking fund, retirement incentive. Significant areas of cost include: professional development, math pilot, elective offerings, authentic learning experiences, technology needs, district math coordinator.
Members of the Board of Finance asked Ms. Perruccio and Ms. Pendleton, and the Board of Education questions about the proposed budget.
The Board of Finance members exited the meeting at 6:45 to enter into their regular meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the Town Hall.
III. MINUTES
A motion to approve the minutes of the 2/16/16 meeting was made by Barry O’Nell and seconded by Mr. LaMay and the minutes were approved with two abstentions.
IV. FINANCE DIRECTOR
Ms. Paladino reported that she is working on the budget and audit findings. The appraiser will be coming back to work on the list of personal property items in town hall.
V. TREASURER’S REPORT
Mr. Fish noted that expenditures are approximately as expected. He reported that there is an error in the 4295 line item that he will correct.
He reported that tax collections continue to be very strong. Revenue from the State of CT is now as expected. Local revenues and total revenues continue to be strong. Mr. Fish noted that total expenditures and total revenues are nearly the same as last year, and we finished last year with a good surplus.
VI. SELECTMAN’S REPORT
Selectman Fortuna reported on the following:
- Ad hoc committee for the boat: From the Police Commission, Mr. Maselli, Mr. Cooper; from the BOF, Mr. O’Nell and Mr. Thorpe and Selectman Fortuna.
At this time, Mr. LaMay read an email from Eleanor Susan LaPlace dated Monday, February 29, 2016:
“I am unable to attend the March 1, 2016, meeting concerning the purchase of a Police Boat for $74,568.88. As you and the Board of Finance members are aware a proposal for the purchase of a boat for the Police Department was overwhelming defeated in 2015. As a taxpayer and a voter this action is an affront. The town has a Fireboat that can be shared with the Police Department. Old Lyme and the City of New Haven have one boat for police and fire purposes. Is the reason the town of Old Saybrook has lost 300 students because most homeowners are paying well over 55 percent of their income for housing plus taxes or have their homes been foreclosed? The boat purchase is a luxury not a need and places a burden on taxpayers. The State of Connecticut’s spending has
not matched revenues and cuts to local governments will be made, who knows what the impact to the town of Old Saybrook, will be. My taxes in 2000 were $2,000 as a result of the housig boom today my taxes are $7,580.00. My income has not kept pace with the tax increases. Many town officials have a mindset that what they want they can get because all they have to do is go to the Board of Selectmen and the Board Finance and bingo, they get what they want, ignoring the will of the taxpayers and voters. The Board of Finance needs to allocate resources in a prudent manner, balance town needs and the taxpayers needs and reduce spending, thus avoiding higher taxes. I urge the board to reject the boat proposal, or send boat appropriation to a referendum.”
Mr. Stevenson noted that the boat is costing more money than was acknowledged in the beginning. He suggested getting the boat and put it on display so the citizens can see what they are paying for. He recommended that the board turn down the recommendation by the ad-hoc committee.
Mr. O’Nell reported that the mission of the ad-hoc committee for the boat was well defined. He noted that the boat meets the mission. The following is broken down:
USCG Safe Boat…………$ 25,000.00
Twin Yamaha Engines…..$ 26,610.21
Electronics………….……$ 16,457.94
. Total………………....$ 68,068.15
Bottom Paint…………….$ 2,500.00
Incidentals/unknown….$ 4,000.00
Total………………. .$ 78,568.15
After a short discussion, the following motion was made:
A motion was made by Mr. LaMay that the BOF act upon the recommendation of the Board of Selectmen and recommend to Town Meeting an appropriation in the amount of $74,568.15~for the purpose of purchasing a 25 foot marine patrol boat and accessories, said funds to be taken from and paid out of the Marine Patrol Budget Item account #4274 in the amount of $52,500.00 and the balance of said funds, $22,068.15, to be paid out of the Town’s Municipal Reserve Account, seconded by Mr. O’Nell. The motion was so VOTED with 1 opposition by Mr. Stevenson.~~~
Selectman Fortuna also touched on the following:
- Governor’s budget;
- Bills in Hartford
- Middlesex Hospital: issues; want to charge $1 per capita for every town they serve;
- Increased hours for Building Department; Fire Marshal; and Zoning;
- Healthcare benefits; considering joining a consortium;
- Personnel and employee benefits – 50% of general government budget;
- Water; street lights; costs are up;
- Debt service slightly down;
- Elderly tax benefits increased;
- Surveyor looking at 185 Bokum Road;
Mr. LaMay thanked Mr. Fortuna.
Mr. Thorpe suggested meeting at 6:00 p.m. during the budget meetings. It was agreed that there would be meetings every week at 6:00 p.m. during budget season. There will be meetings on the following dates:
~
March 9th..........6:00 p.m.
March 15th.........6:00 p.m.
March 22nd........6:00 p.m.
March 29th.........6:00 p.m.
April 5th............6:00 p.m.
April 7th..PH......7:00 p.m.~
VII. PUBLIC COMMENT
Ms. Manning and Mr. Goduti spoke about a “no increase” budget. It was noted that seniors on Social Security don’t get raises.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn made by Mr. Thorpe second by Mr. Stevenson at 8:35 p.m.was unanimously approved.
Submitted:
Gerri Lewis, Clerk
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