TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF FINANCE
MINUTES
DECEMBER 13, 2004
PRESENT: Michael Guarco, Chairman; Gordon Bischoff, Christopher D. Comer, Frederick Moffa, OD; and Al Wilke
Also present: William F. Smith, Jr., Town Mgr.; Barbarajean Scibelli, Finance Officer; Joseph Kask; Scully & Wolf, LLP, Certified Public Accountants; Gwen Van Dorp, Supt. of Schools, and Harry Traver, BOE Business Manager
Chairman Guarco called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Minutes
The Board reviewed the minutes for the meeting of November 8, 2004 before taking action.
On a MOTION by Gordon Bischoff, seconded by Chris Comer, to approve minutes of November 8, 2004, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to approve.
Statements Of Accounts
Barbarajean Scibelli, Finance Officer, reviewed the November Budget Operations Report. She indicated that revenues are on target and the auto supplement invoices will be mailed out by the end of this month. Town Clerk local revenues have collected more money than what was budgeted.
On the Expenditure side, the legal fees account has expensed approximately one-half of the budgeted amounts. The communications and dispatch account shows over a little because of overtime expenses. She also indicated the General Maintenance account has been used to handle the past two minor storms. This account will be watched for the next few months.
Town Manager Smith reported he anticipates the accounts for heating fuel, gas, and diesel might require a transfer or additional appropriation because prices have risen so high in the last several months. The budgeted amount could be exceeded by as much as $30,000. He indicated these accounts will need to be looked at for next year’s budget since most likely prices will not decrease much from this year’s pricing.
Town Manager Smith updated the Board regarding the Schlicht lawsuit statement. A partial payment was made and the rest will be paid at a later date either through an additional appropriation or transfer.
Harry Traver, BOE Business Manager, highlighted the BOE November Statement of Accounts.
Fuel shows a deficit ($63,000)
Transportation (special education) shows a deficit ($12,639)
Total budget shows a deficit ($60,732)
Regular tuition from other towns will be less than what was anticipated, 8 fewer students are attending Granby’s school system
Mr. Traver indicated the ECS Grant total forecast is now $145,000 over what the revenue budget denotes.
Gwen Van Dorp, Superintendent of Schools, indicated some shifts were made in personnel to handle school enrollment. Overall, the school system is fully staffed.
Auditors Report – 2003- 2004
Mr. Kask reported that the five documents for audit purposes have been completed. They are: the General Purpose Financial Statements, Supplemental Schedules, Independent Auditors Report, Report on Federal Awards, and Report on State Financial Assistance Programs for fiscal year July 1, 2003 through June 30, 2004. He noted that there are no reportable material weaknesses or internal control problems. In Scully & Wolf’s opinion, the town has complied with all requirements with respect to the State Financial Assistance Programs and the Federal Awards for the town. Auditors commented that Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) #43, starting July 1, 2007, will need to be phased-in in a tiered manner similar to GASB #34 and will impact governmental entities that provide health insurance and other
benefits to employees upon retirement. The town will need to establish a comprehensive plan to address the various provisions and effects of the new postemployment standard. A suggestion was made to ensure that the accounting and reporting structure does not inhibit the town from making alterations based on changes in economic conditions and other circumstances.
Joe Kask highlighted items from the General Purpose Financial Statements and Supplemental Schedules, pages 15 through 23, and 43 through 47.
The Auditors Report noted some constructive suggestions as part of the ongoing process of modifying and improving accounting controls and administrative practices, particularly in preparation of postemployment benefits (see first paragraph above for comment) and infrastructure reporting. The infrastructure reporting comment is the same as last year’s comment. The auditors recommended that the town develop a comprehensive plan and timeline for implementation of reporting infrastructure assets.
Questions and answers were exchanged regarding General Fund revenues and expenditures year-end balance from the auditors and town, internal service fund reporting for town and Board of Education, GASB #43, capital non-recurring fund, and other town funds.
Chairman Guarco thanked Scully & Wolf, the administration, and staff for a job well done.
Updates: Union contract negotiations, Intra-town Cooperative Advisory Committee
Union contract negotiations
Gwen Van Dorp, Superintendent of Schools, updated the Board regarding the Granby Education Association and Board of Education contract settlement. The Board of Selectmen took no action, in which case the Amendment to the Agreement will be binding on the town within 30 days. The Amendment dealt with health plan design changes and employee premium increased 1% each year for the next two years.
Intra-town Cooperative Advisory Committee
Al Wilke, Board of Finance member and Chairman of the Intra-Town Cooperative Advisory Committee (ITCAC) updated the Board regarding the disbanding of the ITCAC. First Selectman Adams distributed a memo to the ITCAC members regarding its organization and charge. After reading this memo, the committee discussed the merits of continuing the committee in its present format or to dissolve and prepare a final report. The consensus of the committee was to dissolve and prepare a final report. They acknowledged that the town is well managed, a grounds and fields study was completed and an implementation plan has been developed, and a technology study is being conducted by the BOE. The committee recognized an inhibitor coming from our Town Charter, where three different boards are involved with town and school affairs and
no boards report to a common board. The committee suggests to continue to implement fields and grounds and technology initiatives, and have the BOE Chairman, First Selectman, Town Manager, and Superintendent of Schools meet periodically to discuss and direct the development and implementation of operational matters that are common and overlapping applications. Mr. Wilke volunteered his services if needed in any way.
Capital Program Priority Advisory Committee (CPPAC) - Member Representative (BOF)
Chairman Guarco stated Francis Brady will be representing the Board of Finance on the Capital Program Priority Advisory Committee.
Board of Education Plus One Budget (2005-06)
Superintendent Van Dorp indicated the memo discussing the Board of Education FY 2006 Plus One Budget of a 11% increase is based on an administration needs analysis. Highlights are: enrollment has slowed in the primary grades, high school enrollment is growing, the year 2007-08 is possibly the peak year for enrollment, and the BOE is still reviewing the two-tier system for the school's bus runs.
Board of Selectmen Operations and Capital Forecast
Town Manager Smith stated that this report links to the Plus One Budget report which was distributed at the previous BOF meeting. He mentioned that the Board of Selectmen has not seen this report yet. Town Manager Smith indicated the report shows growth in Recreation, Public Works, and Social Services Departments. Park development continues to be a growing enhancement for the town. Bridge activity is being reported under large capital and is seen as a placeholder instead of a scheduled work request. Lastly, Town Manager Smith indicated the numbers in this report should be considered as known, hard numbers.
Preliminary Discussion of Fiscal Year 2006 Budget
This agenda item was tabled for a later discussion.
Miscellaneous
Chairman Guarco indicated he has been attending several meetings with surrounding towns in hopes of establishing a group who will represent small towns' initiatives at the Capitol. Also First Selectman Adams and BOE Chairman Heminway have attended similar meetings. Some of the initiatives that are being considered to be brought to the Legislature are: prevailing wage rates, binding arbitration, and unfunded State mandates.
CONFIRM DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Board of Finance will be January 10, 2004. A workshop will also be scheduled for January 10th beginning at 6:00 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
On a MOTION by Gordon Bischoff, seconded by Al Wilke, the Board voted unanimously (5-0-0) to adjourn the meeting at 9:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia I. Chieski
Recording Secretary
| 
