MINUTES
PUBLIC HEARING
BOARD OF FINANCE
AND THE
BOARD OF COUNCILMEN
MAY 10, 2007
A PUBLIC HEARING was held by the Board of Finance and the Board of Councilmen on Thursday, May 10, 2007, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Auditorium on the proposed 2007-2008 city budget.
Those in attendance included Mayor Ryan J. Bingham, members of the Board of Finance Daniel Farley, Bruce Cornish, Mark Bushka, Thomas Scoville, and James Zeller, members of the Board of Councilmen Rick E. Dalla Valle, Andrew Slaiby, Marie Soliani, and Drake Waldron, and Comptroller Alice Proulx. Board of Finance member James Nichol and Board of Councilmen members James McKenna and Thomas Jerram were absent.
Mayor Bingham called the public hearing to order at 7:00 p.m.
Assistant City Clerk Joline LeBlanc read the legal notice.
Mayor Bingham informed the public that the budget process began in mid January 2007 by personally meeting with each department head, and running each and every recommendation through the budget sub-committee. This procedure resulted in cuts totaling approximately $1.6 million.
Mayor Bingham reviewed the following increases included in this budget.
Utility costs increased by $100,000.00
Refuse recycling increased by $80,000.00
Heart & Hypertension payments were $51,000.00
Contract wage increases were $1.65 million
Bond Redemption increased by $245,000.00
City Hall roof repairs were added to the budget at $320,000.00
The mandatory increases totaled $2.45 million
Mayor Bingham stated that five additional police officers were budgeted at $115,000.00. Personnel in each department was reviewed and one position in the Street Department was eliminated through attrition, and attrition will continue in the future wherever possible.
Mayor Bingham said reduction of sick leave pay out was realized through contract negotiations and will save the city money in the future.
Alternative funding sources were used for one-time expenses to give the city’s taxpayers some relief. Capital plans for each department and vehicle replacement were reviewed. Recommendations on funding levels for vehicle replacement, as well as how vehicles are utilized and managed, are expected in the near future from the consultant that was hired to review the entire Vehicle Replacement Plan.
Mayor Bingham indicated that there is an increase in building in Torrington, both in commercial and residential, and the city is looking forward to a tremendous increase in the grand list in the next few years. As the tax base becomes more diverse, the city will be able to improve its infrastructure and relieve some of that burden from the taxpayers.
Mayor Bingham announced that the proposed City budget is $50,568,668.00. That’s an increase of approximately 3.4% over last year’s budget.
He opened the public hearing to public comment. There was none. He declared the public hearing closed at 7:08 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT #222
On a motion by Mr. Cornish, seconded by Councilor Slaiby, the boards voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:08 p.m.
JOLINE LeBLANC
ASST. CITY CLERK
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