Finance Committee Minutes
Thursday March 22, 2018
Rutland Public Library
7:00 p.m.
Present: Karen Nahrwold, Lyndon Nichols, Sheryl Vernon, Tom Ruchala
Absent: Iain McKinlay, Deb Kristoff, Carl Bindoo
Others Present: Margaret Nartowicz – Town Administrator, Leroy Clark – Select Board Chairman, Laura Scannell – Secretary
Mr. Nichols opened the meeting at 7:01 p.m. The meeting was recorded for Channel 191.
MINUTES
Mr. Ruchala moved to accept meeting minutes for March 12, 2018. Ms. Vernon 2nd. Vote unanimous.
FY 19 Budget Discussion
Ms. Nartowicz presented working budget revisions. Departments that exceeded the requested 3.5% increase over FY18 were asked to make reductions to their budget requests – included Fire, Police, and Library. There was discussion of looking at an override for the school budget versus taking large items, including equipment, out of the department budgets. Ms. Nartowicz stated the recommendation for the requested new ambulance was to bring it to debt exclusion, regardless of whether the Town goes for an override on the schools.
Ms. Nahrwold expressed that the public doesn’t necessarily understand the cuts being made to Public Safety in favor of the school. There was discussion about Rutland and other district towns making departmental cuts and sacrificing infrastructure to deal with the school budget. Mr. Nichols stated that if the departments feel items like police cars and ambulances are needed, then we need to start funding budgets locally.
Ms. Nartowicz stated caution should still be taken when the budget requests come in at 18% over the prior year; it is incumbent on the Town Administrator, Select Board, and Finance Committee to look at why the increases are so large.
There was discussion about the updated Treasurer/Collector's budget sheet. The original request included a shared secretary with the Town Clerk's office, due to a staffing change the position has been split into two positions – the Treasurer Collector's secretary position will go back to 13 hours per week at a lower step. The position in the Town Clerk's office will go from the previously requested 25 hours per week to 22 hours per week – Ms. Nartowicz will request an updated budget sheet from the Town Clerk to reflect this change and impacts on the budget.
Ms. Nartowicz put out a network RFP this week.
With the revisions, the budget gap has decreased from approximately $240,000 to $110,000 – there will need to be discussion about what to do with the items removed to bring the gap down.
There was discussion of keeping the ambulance on the budget and presenting an override for the school, and the possibility of an override failing at Town Meeting. In the event of an override failing, short-term debt exclusions could be reconsidered but would have to go to a Special Election. Ms. Nartowicz will look into whether it would be possible to include local questions on the State primary ballot in September.
WRSD Budget and Field Financing
Ms. Nartowicz was considering a capital exclusion but needs to consult with the Town Accountant. The Town would be allowed by law to do a capital stabilization override for its share of the project.
There was discussion about scheduling a follow-up meeting with a representative from WRSD to discuss questions from the initial budget presentation, as well as the field project and what avenues, if any, the district has explored for funding before coming to the towns.
OLD BUSINESS
Mr. Nichols stated that concerns raised at the last meeting about the K-9 grant sustainability have been satisfactorily addressed with Chief Monaco. Ms. Nartowicz informed the Committee that the Police Department will receive a dog in April.
Regarding a discussion at the last meeting about the Assistant Town Clerk's education, the education fees are paid for by grant.
Ms. Nartowicz stated she will pass along information from tonight's meeting to the Select Board and invited the Finance Committee to attend the Select Board meeting on Monday March 26th. The Board is scheduled to discuss ballot questions.
Ms. Vernon moved to adjourn. Mr. Ruchala 2nd. Vote unanimous.
Meeting adjourned at 7:44 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
___________________________ Laura Scannell, Secretary
Approved on: _______________
___________________________ Lyndon Nichols, Chairman
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