TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR
Minutes Page 1 May 11, 2015
TOWN COUNCIL – Special Meeting
Council Chambers – South Windsor Town Hall
1. Call Meeting to Order
Mayor Anwar called the Special Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Members Present: Mayor M. Saud Anwar
Deputy Mayor Edward Havens
Councilor Thomas Delnicki
Councilor Carolyn Mirek
Councilor Andrew Paterna
Councilor Liz Pendleton
Councilor Matthew Riley
Councilor Janice Snyder
Councilor Stephen Wagner
Also Present: Matthew B. Galligan, Town Manager
Keith Yagaloff, Town Attorney
Councilor Delnicki made a motion to suspend the rules in order to take Item 4 out of order. Councilor Mirek seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
4. Communications
Dr. Carter, Superintendent of Schools came before the Town Council and reviewed the impact of reducing the proposed Board of Education budget by $2 million dollars, as shown in attached, Exhibit A. Major Reorganization was discussed further. Dr. Carter explained that financials of the schools food service operation has been reviewed for a while. The Board of Education will be looking into transitioning into an outside vendor to run the Food Services program. It is believed there would be a savings that could be generated from not having the additional health care costs. There are 37 employees associated with Food Services. A $300,000 savings is estimated with this change, but is an extremely rough estimate. An RFP should be done in order to give a definitive answer.
This can not happen this fall, but would be something that happens in January. At this time it is felt that a transition like this should not happen in the middle of the year, but if it is shown to be a significant savings, should be done in the fall of the following year. Dr. Carter explained further that the Board of Education is hopeful to have every year a 1% to 2% surplus in the budget. There are quarterly budget
ITEM:
4. Communications
status reports that are published every quarter. This year things are different. There is a $400,000 overage in Special Education, so if there is a surplus, $400,000 will already be used for Special Education. Another item that needs to be addressed is the softball field which will cost approximately $100,000 to realign the field. At this time there are not enough unexpended funds to offset the budget.
Mayor Anwar told the community that this year the grand list has decreased. The proposed increase to the budget was a 6.8% increase. At that rate, there would be residents who would be greatly impacted. There are two sinkholes in Town that need to be addressed. The budgets are being reviewed for priorities.
Councilor Wagner informed the public and the Council that $735,000 of the increase is for the Teachers salaries; $70,000 for an increase in Administrators salaries; and $155,000 is an increase in Paras and Nurses salaries.
Dr. Carter explained that when you negotiate bargaining unit contracts with certified teachers in the State of Connecticut, those contracts are compared to like districts with similar wealth to make sure the increases are consistent with industry standards. If you can’t come to a decision, it will go to arbitration and the arbitrator will decide what is fair and appropriate. There are two forms of an increase that a teacher may experience in his/her contract which are general wage increase and step. Teachers who are not veterans will have both a general wage increase as well as a step increase. When a teacher has reached the top step, they will only receive a general wage increase.
Dr. Carter explained to the Council that POP is a preschool program which includes students with special needs as well as students that will be peer models. It is a mandated program.
Councilor Wagner stated that the Town had one company move their computer equipment out of Town which was approximately $35,000,000 which had a large affect on the grand list.
Mayor Anwar questioned if the Board of Education has paid the pension requirements for 2016? Dr. Carter explained that the Board of Education has not paid the full requirement for 2016. It is estimated that the requirement will cost approximately $600,000. This year $231,000 was funded and next year there is $268,000 in the current budget.
ITEM:
4. Communications
Councilor Riley stated that the Board of Education has been a great steward of their side of the pension account. The Board of Education used available funds from the prior Fiscal Year and this Fiscal Year to ensure that they had the needed funds to cover the ARC for next Fiscal Year. There was $100,000 budgeted in this coming year’s budget, and are taking a risk for next year’s budget.
Councilor Snyder felt that an increase of $2.248 million dollars would just allow the school district to open their doors and do exactly what is being done today. This increase would not move the district forward.
Councilor Mirek stated that asking for a status quo budget will bring the school backwards. If programs are cut, it would be very hard in the future to reinstate them. The Town Council needs to provide the schools with what is needed and expected.
Mayor Anwar stated that out of the twenty-two school systems that are in South Windsor’s DRG, the cost per pupil in South Windsor is the fourth most expensive. What could South Windsor do better? Dr. Carter felt the food service is a primary example where money might be able to be saved and then stated that statewide, South Windsor is 99 out of 166. South Windsor’s POP program is significantly larger then those in the same DRG. Bringing the number per pupil down is a slow process and Dr. Carter felt that in the past several years South Windsor has begun to turn things around.
Mayor Anwar explained that 66% of the budget is for the BOE and the remainder is with the Town. The Town Council has to look at the budgets together to make sure the priorities are set in a manner which neither budget is compromised.
Answering questions from the Council, Ms. Chemerka explained that if the budget increase started at $3.1 million dollars and then the favorable items in the amount of $500,000 were reduced, it would bring the requested increase down to $2.6 million dollars. If the increase was further reduced from the first category of $400,000.00, that would bring the increase down to $2.2 million dollars. If you reduce the increase any further, more items on the list would have to be eliminated.
ITEM:
4. Communications
Chairman Joy stated that he appreciated the Mayor bringing up the per pupil expenditures. This has been a topic of conversation with Dr. Carter and her team. It is very tempting to look at that data and to start to formulate arguments. The Board of Education has had these type of conversations and the devil is in the details of understanding really what goes on in these other districts. The administration continues to look at different scenarios and ways to restore efficiency. There was a time when this district was near the bottom of per pupil expenditures. Over time that ranking has changed and understanding the reasons for it and the opportunities behind it is complicated but the Board of Education continues to work on it thanks to Dr. Carter and entire administrative team. It is known
that the grand list is down and no one likes to pay more taxes, but the responsible thing for both parties to do tonight is work towards a Board budget that does no harm to the school system.
Councilor Delnicki requested that the Board of Education review the number which is necessary to stay status quo.
Dr. Carter requested that she give that number to the Town Council after reviewing numbers with Ms. Chemerka.
Mr. Galligan reviewed the memo that highlights some of the cuts to the General Government budget which was given to the Council, as shown in attached Exhibit B. Originally, department heads requested a budget of $40,084,000. Mr. Galligan explained that he reduced that number by $867,301. When there was additional talk about going to a 2.25% tax increase, the budget was cut an additional $716,000. The total amount cut from the proposed budget is $1.5 million dollars. The Town Council should be making the decision where to cut the budget because it is a policy issue. There is a budget summary sheet which shows what has been cut from each budget. It is important for the Council to understand that there is no money for extra projects to be added to this budget during the year. The Town Council needs to draft a strategic plan in order to come up with priorities. These cuts are recommendations by Town staff. Mr. Galligan stated he is not pleased with them but understands that
the Council is trying to keep costs down.
Councilor Mirek said she was surprised to read in the Town Manager’s report that a directive of the Council was given to come in at a 2.25% budget increase.
ITEM:
4. Communications
Mr. Galligan explained that it was a discussion with the Mayor at the Council meeting.
Councilor Mirek stated that it was not an entire Council decision.
Answering questions from the Council, Mr. Galligan explained that $1 million dollars of fund balance will be used to keep taxes down. Mr. Galligan then stated that he feels the SB1 bill will pass but not as originally planned. It may not pass through the Governor’s Office. Mr. Galligan then explained how the bill is proposed to work. Mayor Anwar felt that people should call their State Representatives about this bill which could have an approximate $2 million dollar impact on South Windsor’s budget.
Dr. Carter came back before the Council and explained that the status quo budget which factors in the recent good news that can be seen at the end of the sheet and eliminates all of the new investments on the sheet. So If the whole section of new programs and positions are eliminated and include courses likely to be cancelled you would end up with a status quo budget of $2.1 million dollars. This would remove the Safety Offices, the Career Pathway opportunities, the Computing devices, the School Psychologist, the unified sports addition, the STEM teacher and a variety of other stipends and a whole host of high school courses.
In a meet the mandates scenario, the Board of Education would be looking at a $1.8 million dollar scenario and what that would require the Board of Education to do to reach the $1.8 million dollars is to go to all of the existing items on the cut list and cut $300,000 of those. So again $1.8 million dollars would meet out mandates and then require us to cut $300,000.
3. Public Participation
Mr. David Wisneski, 75 Deming Street explained that he and his wife have 3 children enrolled in the South Windsor Schools. Their youngest child, Joseph is currently enrolled in the Special Education program at Timothy Edwards Middle School. At Wapping Elementary School Joseph excelled which was largely due to his teachers and paraprofessionals. In February the Board of Education made a decision to eliminate substitutes to cover paraprofessionals when they are absent. Due to Joey’s medical issues, he is required a paraprofessional with specialized
ITEM:
3. Public Participation (Continued)
training. The Boards policy of not obtaining substitutes for paraprofessionals places Joseph’s safety in jeopardy and this is unacceptable. The proposed budget proposed a medically fragile program at Timothy Edwards. Joseph’s current classroom is located on the second floor which makes no sense because the Nurse’s Office is on the first floor and in the case of an emergency elevators can not be used. In February, Chairman Joy stated that he was concerned how much South Windsor is spending on Special Education proportionately to regular education and he did not think it was appropriate or sustainable. He noted that South Windsor spends far above some similar Towns. South Windsor’s outplacement continues to be above the State’s average. Mr. Wisneski reminded the Board of
Education that their obligation is to educate all children regardless of ability or disability; safely and fairly. If the Board of Education is unable to provide such services, they can expect the outplacement rates to increase even more. Mr. Wisneski strongly urged the Board of Education to renew their commitment to the most vulnerable children in the school system.
Ms. Cindy Beaulieu, 19 Cody Circle stated that education is something that you can not operate on a status quo budget. Dr. Carter and the BOE have consistently delivered some of the most conservative but more importantly some of the most transparent budgets that any Town will ever see. There is no question about where every single dollar is going in that budget and that is something when you ask for cuts it becomes a very difficult process. Fund balance is a rainy day fund and should not be used unless absolutely necessary. There are other corporations that will be paying taxes soon and that should be factored into the budget. Ms. Beaulieu urged the Town Council not to cut the BOE budget.
Mr. Gene Botteron, 34 Victor Lane felt that a 2% increase or over is a large increase. Our business community and many residents can not afford an increase in property taxes at all. There is a decrease in the grand list and if taxes continue to be raised, more of our business community will move to other areas and this will further erode our tax base. Education is not the only contributor to property values, to have a vibrant education system first of all South Windsor has to have a vibrant business community because there are taxpayers who have jobs within the community. Mr. Botteron strongly urged the Town Council to fight for low property taxes.
ITEM:
3. Public Participation (Continued)
Ms. Marie Krupa, 72 Kingfisher Circle came before the Council and voiced concerns of changes to the Board of Education budget that could affect the paraprofessional staff that serve the Town special education students. Ms. Krupa requested that those positions be kept in tact.
Ms. Maxine Teri Parrott, 72 Oxford Drive came forward to opposed cuts to the Board of Education budget. Ms. Parrott stated that cuts in the budget may be a fix for the short term but residents will pay for these cuts in the future budgets. If the Council can not support the full budget, Ms. Parrott requested that the Council support an increase that will not cause harm to the school district.
Mr. Dick Kelley, 49 Rosemary Lane stated he has never seen a Superintendent be as transparent as Dr. Carter. It is our obligation as a taxpayers to step up to the plate and help the children of South Windsor to get the best education possible through taxes.
Ms. Wendy Landman-Glatt, 77 Woodland Drive explained that one of the reasons her family moved to South Windsor was because of its excellent school system. The cuts to the Board of Education budget will decimate the schools, not just for next year but for years to come. If cuts continue our great schools will become mediocre schools which in turn will affect the greatness of our Town, our homes and our community. Please do not let this happen.
Mr. Kevin McCann, 170 Lisa Drive stated that Dr. Carter has always presented to the Town Council a very transparent budget that not only maintains our schools but makes our schools better. The cuts being proposed would maintain the status quo and would eliminate some paraprofessional and teacher positions. It does not fund the annual required contribution to the pension fund. That is not status quo, that is less then the status quo. This Council recently approved a plan to spend $1.5 million dollars for a synthetic field at the high school so that our student athletes could compete with their peers in other Towns. Mr. McCann urged the Council to adopt the amount that the Superintendent requested which would enhance programs so that our students can compete academically in the
classroom.
ITEM:
3. Public Participation (Continued)
Mr. Don Gonsalves, 40 Bayberry Trail voiced concern about the Town’s retirement program plans. There is a lot of money that could be saved. There is $400,000 or $500,000 in the budget that teachers get when they retire but no one talks about that. The Board of Education teachers have five salary scales.
Ms. Daria Plummer, 235 Orchard Hill Drive stated that there are excellent services in South Windsor. Citizens in South Windsor respect our good schools, warrant good schools, and are willing to invest in good schools. It is counter productive to cut the school budget. What gets cut out does not get put back in and South Windsor can not afford that.
Ms. Mary Justine Hockenbery, 16 Foxglove Lane stated that South Windsor is stagnant and needs to take care of our future. The Board of Education should be given what they need to educate the children of South Windsor.
Ms. Michelle Haudegand, 551 Foster Street came forward to voice her support for the Board of Education budget. Ms. Haudegand said she would like to see the Board of Education’s budget exceed the status quo to keep South Windsor’s children healthy, viable and competitive.
Ms. Marika Kraus, 36 Birch Road stated that status quo is not good enough. Individuals move to South Windsor because of the wonderful schools.
Mr. Bill Myers, 1141 Strong Road said he is willing to pay for great schools. Society moves on and things cost more.
Mr. Greg Fielding, 34 Palm Lane requested that the proposed budget be funded so residents do not have to pay in the future.
Ms. Jean Mumley, 32 Ordway Drive explained that she moved to South Windsor because of the school system. The schools need our support and the voters are telling the Town Council to support the schools. The budget should be approved in full.
Councilor Mirek read a letter into the record in support of the Board of Education budget from Ms. Nanci Pelati. Letters from Amanda Diggs, Nicole & Mark Bolduc and Colleen Lyons in support of the Board of Education budget were also received by the Town Council.
ITEM:
5. Consent Agenda
None
6. Special Business
- Resolution Adopting the Board of Education Budget for Fiscal Year 2015/2016
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby adopts a Board of Education Budget with expenditures totaling $70,355,567, for the Fiscal Year commencing on July 1, 2015 and terminating on June 30, 2016, a copy of which budget is on file in the Office of the Town Clerk.
Was made by Councilor Paterna
Seconded by Wagner
Councilor Paterna stated that this proposed budget represents a $1.8 million dollar increase in the Board of Education budget.
Deputy Mayor Havens explained that the Council represents 26,000 people in the community. The Town Council is responsible for every single person and the Town can not afford to spend any more money then what is necessary. Deputy Mayor Havens stated that an increase in taxes also affects businesses in Town. A business will oppose an increase by moving out of Town which could also hurt the Town.
Councilor Delnicki stated he would like to advocate for the Board of Education to receive $2.1 million dollars rather than the $1.8 million dollars. There are obligations that the Town needs to meet and he feels the change would cover all of those needs.
Councilor Delnicki made a motion to amend the resolution by changing the amount from $70,355,567 to $70,655,000. Councilor Mirek seconded the motion.
(Resolution Continued on Next Page)
ITEM:
6. A. (Continued)
Councilor Snyder questioned if the $1.8 million dollars would account for some of the existing certified staff to be laid off as well as non-certified staff? Dr. Carter stated that $300,000 would need to be taken from the existing program list which could include existing certified staff, non-certified staff, existing athletics or clubs or any of these other items on the list. The list would have to be reviewed again and a decision of where $300,000 would be taken from would have to be decided upon. The Food Service program would not be on the top of the list to get cut.
Councilor Riley stated that $1.8 million dollars just meets the mandates. Last year the Board of Education requested a 1.29% increase which was cut to 0.63%. Councilor Riley said he is concerned that the Board of Education is not moving forward. This community has a commitment to quality schools and quality education. The school system is a valuable asset and Councilor Riley said he is disappointed that the Council can not do more to support the Board of Education and he would support the amendment.
Councilor Mirek stated that she would be supporting the amendment.
Councilor Anwar said that this budget is going to be about compromises. The Town Council has to realize that there needs to be a resource to cover the proposed budgets. The money coming from the State is limited and along with that there are Town issues that need attention also. Mayor Anwar stated that he would not be supporting the amendment.
Councilor Wagner stated that a 6.8% increase to the budget would be very hard on taxpayers.
Councilor Snyder stated that the public is telling the Town Council through emails, phone calls or speaking at a meeting that they support the Board of Education budget. When the budget gets decreased to $1.8 million dollars, there is a possibility of eliminating existing staff and program. Approving the Board of Education at $2.1 million dollars allows the Board of Education to operate. The Council never voted on a 2.25% increase to the Board of Education. The additional $300,000 in the amendment could save programs or staffing. Councilor Snyder urged the Council to support the amendment.
(Resolution Continued on Next Page)
ITEM:
6. A. (Continued)
Mayor Anwar explained that he was the one who said 2.25% which he felt would be the starting point for the budget. Councilor Snyder stated that the Town Manager is directed by the whole Town Council.
Councilor Riley stated that the Council is taking a gamble that more Special Education money will not be needed. The pension contribution is only budgeted for $100,000 and it could be up to $600,000. It is covered for the next Fiscal Year but next year if there is no unallocated funds to cover the ARC there may be a large line item. The $1.8 million dollar does not improve the district.
Dr. Carter explained that the $1.8 million dollar budget requires the Board of Education to cut $300,000 from the list of cuts that were given to the Council tonight. The decision of what would be cut is something that would have to be discussed. The eight period goal is something that will probably not be able to be met. Dr. Carter stated that her concern is looking ahead and hoping that there will not be bigger concerns in the future and there will not be an ability to move the district forward.
Mayor Anwar called for a vote on the proposed amendment. The amendment failed with on a roll call vote of 4 to 5 with Councilor Delnicki, Councilor Mirek, Councilor Riley and Councilor Snyder voting in favor of the amendment; and Mayor Anwar, Deputy Mayor Havens, Councilor Paterna, Councilor Pendleton and Councilor Wagner voting in opposition to the amendment.
Mayor Anwar called for a vote on the motion; it passed on a roll call vote of 5 to 4 with Mayor Anwar, Deputy Mayor Havens, Councilor Paterna, Councilor Pendleton and Councilor Wagner voting in favor of the motion; and Councilor Delnicki, Councilor Mirek, Councilor Riley and Councilor Snyder voting in opposition of the motion.
(Resolution Continued on Next Page)
ITEM:
6. A. (Continued)
The approved resolution to read as follows:
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby adopts a Board of Education Budget with expenditures totaling $70,355,567, for the Fiscal Year commencing on July 1, 2015 and terminating on June 30, 2016, a copy of which budget is on file in the Office of the Town Clerk.
- Resolution Adopting the Budget for the Special Revenue Recreation Fund for Fiscal Year 2015/2016
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby adopts a Special Revenue Recreation Fund Budget with expenditures totaling $2,463,829; for the Fiscal Year commencing on July 1, 2015, and terminating on June 30, 2016.
Was made by Councilor Wagner
Seconded by Councilor Pendleton
The motion was approved; unanimously
- Resolution Adopting the General Government Budget for Fiscal Year 2015/2016
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town Council hereby adopts a General Government Budget with expenditures totaling $38,500,253; for the Fiscal Year commencing on July 1, 2015, and terminating on June 30, 2016, a copy of which Budget is on file in the Office of the Town Clerk.
Was made by Councilor Pendleton
Seconded by Councilor Wagner
The motion was approved; unanimously
Mr. Galligan explained that this proposed budget would be an increase of $788,517.
(Resolution Continued on Next Page)
ITEM:
6. C. (Continued)
Councilor Pendleton made a motion for a friendly amendment which would be to create a Maintainer I position in the Public Works Department which would be funded by transferring the Fire Department’s Building Maintenance line item along with the utilities to the Public Works Department on the Town side. Councilor Wagner accepted the friendly amendment.
Councilor Pendleton explained that it has been brought to the Town Council’s attendance an idea of the Town taking over the maintenance of the Fire Department’s buildings. In the Fire Department’s budget there is a line item under the Building Maintenance for $103,000. The Town can take all of the maintenance over in order to save.
Chief Cooney came forward and stated that the only amount that can come out of the $103,000 is $25,000 which is the amount that the Town agreed they would be able to do as far as maintenance. If the Town Council takes $103,000 out of the Fire Department’s budget, that will decimate the Fire Department’s budget.
Councilor Pendleton stated that the maintenance of the Fire Department buildings should be under the Town.
Chief Cooney stated that he has sat with Town staff for six months and only $25,000 worth of maintenance is what the Town is able to take on at this time. Without the Town’s support the Fire Department will have a large issue.
Mayor Anwar questioned if this item could be adjusted after the budget? Mr. Galligan explained that anything could be done at a later date. Line items would have to be adjusted.
Councilor Pendleton explained that this amendment is an attempt for the Town to take over the Fire Department buildings maintenance. It is not the Fire Department’s responsibility, they are a grant agency within a Town building.
(Resolution Continued on Next Page)
ITEM:
6. C. (Continued)
Councilor Delnicki stated that he understand the concept but does not feel it should be done during the budget. Chief Cooney explained further that his intention was to try to have shared services with the Town. After reviewing the maintenance, it was determined that $25,000 could be removed from the Fire Department’s budget and put into the Town budget with the understanding that they would need an additional position to oversee these functions. Without the new position, this is a moot point and the Fire Department will need the full budget to take care of what needs to be taken care of. The Town and the Fire Department will sit down in the future to look at other shared services.
Councilor Delnicki suggested that the Council not act on this item tonight and established a Committee to review this item. This could then be brought back to the Town Council to make decisions about this issue. Chief Cooney explained that the goal of the Fire Department is to share services.
Answering questions from the Council, Mr. Galligan explained that the Town crews do the lawn the cutting. The Fire Department pays for the fertilizing. Chief Cooney stated that the $25,000 would not be used for the new position but would be used for different maintenance items that would be done by the Town. Mr. Galligan stated that the snow removal is done privately. Chief Cooney explained that items such as snow removal and other things are items that would be reviewed in the future.
Councilor Riley stated that he supports the concept of the amendment, but understands there is more discussions that need to take place so he would not be supporting this amendment.
Councilor Delnicki suggested hiring a part time Maintainer at this time which could in the future be a full time position as functions are taken over by the Town.
Answering further questions from the Council, Mr. Galligan explained that the number for the lighting has been increased by $68,000. The numbers for the LED lighting have not been put into this budget. There have been no numbers changed as far as building permits and there have been no
(Resolution Continued on Next Page)
ITEM:
6. C. (Continued)
increases to any fee’s. The same collection rate has been used from last year. There was a company that was previously storing computers in South Windsor which was a loss of revenue for the Town. There are no new positions being hired with this budget. There is an upgrade to the Director of Planning. All salary increases for non-bargaining employees have been taken out of the budget.
Councilor Snyder voiced concern with no increases for non-bargaining employees.
Mr. Galligan stated that the Board of Education received all of their salary increases. This budget will not allow for projects that are not in the budget.
At 11:00 p.m. Councilor Delnicki made a motion to extend the meeting for 15 minutes. Mayor Anwar seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
Councilor Snyder stated that she is uncomfortable with the Town budget and feels there are not enough funds available if an emergency arises. More money is being taken out of fund balance to decrease the tax increase.
Councilor Delnicki voiced concern with the Town Manager allowing Town staff to take the day after Christmas off because that represented $37,500 in payroll for one day off. Mr. Galligan explained that it has never been brought to the Council in 20 years, he is following past practice, and it is a moral booster.
Mr. Galligan stated that the proposed increase is a 2.09% increase with $1 million dollars for Capital Project.
After further discussions, Councilor Pendleton withdrew her friendly amendment. Councilor Wagner accepted the withdrawal.
Mayor Anwar called for a vote on the motion; it pass on a roll call vote of 8 to 1 with Mayor Anwar, Deputy Mayor Havens, Councilor Mirek, Councilor Paterna, Councilor Pendleton, Councilor Riley, Councilor Snyder and Councilor Wagner voting in favor of the motion; and Councilor Delnicki voting in opposition.
(Resolution Continued on Next Page)
ITEM:
6. New Business (Continued)
D. Resolution Setting the Tax Rate for Fiscal Year 2015/2016
BE IT RESOLVED that the tax rate of 36.54 mills be levied on the Grand List of October 1, 2014 based upon Total Revenues excluding current taxes of $18,685,356, which includes an appropriation from Fund Balance in the amount of $1,100,000 to finance total expenditures of $108,855,820 made up of the Board of Education Budget of $70,355,567 and a General Government Budget of $38,500,253, both of which have been adopted by the South Windsor Town Council, and exhibits of which are on file in the Office of the Town Clerk for the Fiscal Year commencing on July 1, 2015, and terminating on June 30, 2016.
Was made by Councilor Wagner
Seconded by Mayor Anwar
Mr. Galligan questioned what the number for the revenue? Councilor Wagner answered saying $18,685,356. Mr. Galligan explained that number should be $18,785,356.
Councilor Wagner made a motion to make a friendly amendment to the number of the Total Revenues excluding current taxes of $18,785,356. Mayor Anwar accepted the change.
At 11:15 p.m. Councilor Delnicki made a motion to extend the meeting for 5 minutes. Mayor Anwar seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
Answering questions from the Council, Mr. Galligan stated that he felt the fund balance would go down by $200,000 to $300,000. The fund balance is supposed to be 5% to 10% of your budget. Councilor Delnicki stated he is concerned about the fund balance.
Mayor Anwar called for a vote on the amended motion; it passed on a roll call vote of 5 to 4 with Mayor Anwar, Deputy Mayor Havens, Councilor Paterna, Councilor Pendleton and Councilor Wagner voting in favor of the amended motion; and Councilor Delnicki, Councilor Mirek, Councilor Riley and Councilor Snyder voting in opposition to the amended motion.
(Resolution Continued on Next Page)
ITEM:
6. D. (Continued)
The amended resolution to read as follows:
BE IT RESOLVED that the tax rate of 36.54 mills be levied on the Grand List of October 1, 2014 based upon Total Revenues excluding current taxes of $18,785,356, which includes an appropriation from Fund Balance in the amount of $1,100,000 to finance total expenditures of $108,855,820 made up of the Board of Education Budget of $70,355,567 and a General Government Budget of $38,500,253, both of which have been adopted by the South Windsor Town council, and exhibits of which are on file in the Office of the Town Clerk for the Fiscal Year commencing on July 1, 2015, and terminating on June 30, 2016.
E. Resolution Appointing a Rate Maker for Fiscal Year 2015/2016 and the Tabling of Same
BE IT RESOLVED that the South Windsor Town council hereby appoints Matthew B. Galligan, Town Manager, as Rate Maker for Fiscal Year 2015/2016, and hereby tables the same.
Was made by Councilor Delnicki
Seconded by Mayor Anwar
The motion was approved, unanimously
7. Executive Session
None
8. Adjournment
At 11:18 p.m. Councilor Snyder made a motion to adjourn the Special Meeting. Councilor Paterna seconded the motion; and it was approved, unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah W. Reid
Clerk of the Council
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