MINUTES
BOARD OF FINANCE
February 16, 2016
A REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Finance was held in the City Hall Auditorium on Tuesday, February 19, 2016.
Present were Mayor Elinor Carbone, Corporation Counsel Jaimie LaMere and Board of Finance members Chris Diorio, Frank Rubino, Joshua Ferreira, Christopher Anderson and Laurene Pesce. Member Mark Bushka was absent.
Also in attendance were members of the Board of Education Joanne Brogis, Fiona Cappabianca, Ellen Hoehne, Jessica Richardson, Daniel Thibault, Kenneth Traub and Peter Vergaro along with Interim Superintendent of Schools Linda Reitman, Director of Business Services Jerry Domanico and Interim Director of Student Services Paula LaChance.
Mayor Carbone called the meeting to order at 5:09 p.m.
MINUTES
On a motion by Mr. Diorio, seconded by Mr. Anderson, the Board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Regular Meeting held on January 19, 2016.
OPEN TO PUBLIC
On a motion by Mr. Ferreira, seconded by Mrs. Pesce, the Board voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public.
Mr. Brian White invited the Board to the ‘Fire Ops Program’ on April 23rd, on behalf of the Fire Department.
BRD. OF EDUC. BUDGET REPORTS
On a motion by Mr. Ferreira, seconded by Mr. Diorio, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Board of Education Budget Performance Reports dated February 4, 2016
ADD TO AGENDA
On a motion by Mrs. Pesce, seconded by Mr. Diorio, the Board voted unanimously to add a discussion to the agenda.
DISCUSSION: Budget Performance and Year-End Projections
On a motion by Mr. Diorio, seconded by Mr. Rubino, the Board voted unanimously to entertain a discussion with the Board of Education regarding budget performance and year-end projections.
Mrs. Reitman reported that at present there is a $1,200,000 shortage in the Board of Education budget, and that current budgeting methods result in freezes that affect the general education students that make up 80% of the student population.
Board members looked at all out-of-district transportation, tutoring, and tuition budgeted amounts, encumbrances, and balances from July 1, 2015 to date. They reviewed lists of students outplaced after July 1, 2015, that would not have been included in any budgeted figures for the 2015/2016 budget year. Mrs. Reitman said she would present a plan to alleviate this problem in the future to the Board of Finance, and that she is looking for some guidance.
Mrs. LaChance said she believes many students can be kept in-district if the Board is afforded the resources to provide for them, and she hopes to create in-house programs to service students that would otherwise be outplaced.
Mr. Traub asked how the Board of Finance wants the Board of Education to go forward, knowing this budget deficit occurs every year. Mrs. Reitman said she plans to lay a good budgeting foundation, is looking for ways to make changes and provide stability, and is looking to the Board of Finance for some guidance.
Mayor Carbone pointed out that the $1,900,000 figure does not include expected revenue that might come in, and said that she thinks there is value in hiring a consultant to look at these outplacements and our budgeting processes. Mr. Traub agreed and said the Budget Committee is trying to reduce the consultant costs by doing some of the work ahead of time.
Mr. Rubino noted that each student lost to out-of-district placement increases the district’s per-student costs. He suggested the Board of Education might even consider the possibility of closing a school and re-opening it to take care of certain areas of Special Education to attract students from the Northwest Corner, if necessary. He said he would like to see a five-year allocation plan for Special Education instead of trying to find additional funds every January. Mr. Rubino pointed out that Superintendent turnovers adversely affect budgeting plans.
Ms. Cappabianca said the Board of Education will forward their recommendations for the deficit to the Board of Finance. She said they really need some kind of guidance because it is not in their best interest to not budget for expenses they know are going to occur. She asked the Board of Finance if they would consider allowing a reasonable amount budgeted for likely special education overruns, held in a City account as a special education contingency fund.
Mayor Carbone recommended that the Board of Education create a budget summary for the Board of Finance including what was budgeted, where it stands year-to-date, and projections to year-end to illustrate where surpluses and deficits are. She said the $1,900,000 deficit presented only indicates School Choice and Special Education, it does not reflect the revenue offset. She agreed with, and commended, the effort to consider a five-years-back and three-years-forward presentation. Mayor Carbone encouraged the Board of Education to create their mitigation plan as soon as possible.
BUSINESS: Mayor and Board Members
On a motion by Mr. Anderson, seconded by Mr. Diorio, the Board voted unanimously to consider business presented by the Mayor and members of the Board of Finance. No business was presented.
Mr. Diorio thanked the Board of Education for the information presented.
Mrs. Pesce asked when the Grand List numbers will be available. Mayor Carbone said she thinks the extension went through the end of February and will send that information out to the Board.
Mr. Rubino asked for the budget-meeting calendar. Mayor Carbone said she is working on it.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Mr. Ferreira, seconded by Mr. Rubino, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 6:18 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Carol L. Anderson, MCTC, CMC
Asst. City Clerk
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