TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF FINANCE
MINUTES
JANUARY 10, 2005
PRESENT: Michael Guarco, Chairman; Gordon Bischoff, Francis Brady, Christopher Comer, Frederick Moffa, OD; and Alfred Wilke
Also present: Gwen Van Dorp, Superintendent of Schools; Harry Traver, Business Manager, and Barbarajean Scibelli, Finance Officer
Chairman Guarco called the meeting to order at 7:37 p.m.
MINUTES
ON A MOTION by Mr. Bischoff, seconded by Mr. Wilke, the Board voted 5-0-1 (Mr. Brady abstaining) to approve the minutes of December 13, 2004 as presented.
Mr. Bischoff inquired about the questions brought up during the audit presentation regarding the differences between the audit surplus amount and the surplus and fund balance analysis and the recording of Board of Education employee and retiree contribution to the Employee Benefit Fund. Mrs. Scibelli indicated that she has researched this information and will be meeting with the auditor soon. She expected to have a response for the Board by the next meeting.
STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS
The Town Budget Operations Report was not available for December. The report was still being reviewed. A question was asked regarding the snow removal budget. It was still okay but several storms will be included in the next payroll, which will use a good portion of available funds.
Mr. Traver reported on the December Board of Education Statement of Accounts. Special Education transportation is over because of a new student. The cost for transportation is approximately $28,000 for the remainder of the year. Mr. Traver is looking into other options to lower this cost. It was suggested that possibly one of the senior vans, which is wheel chair accessible, could be used. Mr. Traver indicated it was not available but he will check again. He is also looking into other possibilities because of future transportation needs for other class areas.
School revenues have also increased in a couple of areas, special education and rental fees, so the bottom line is not as low as expected.
DISCUSSION OF BUDGET GUIDELINES FOR 2005-06
Chairman Guarco provided the Board with copies of the FY06 Budget Worksheet (attached) for their review. Chairman Guarco went over the expenditures and revenues explaining known numbers versus estimates at this time. The primary concerns for the Board were the proposed five percent mill rate increase for the next four years and the “Addition Feed (Gap)” of funds still needed to meet the five percent. Other items discussed included state revenues, new debt service for elementary schools, and trying to reduce the amount of dependence on General Fund Surplus.
The consensus of the Board in trying to set a budget guideline was to stick with numbers from the capital model for now. Mr. Bischoff indicated that the model is not as conservative as it used to be. Many changes have been made that include our best estimates and there is not a lot of margin left to draw from. One example was Intergovernmental Revenue that is estimated at plus two percent which may be okay if state revenues stay flat since the town is receiving more in FY ’04-’05 than was budgeted. Another area is Grand List growth estimated at two and half percent and the preliminary estimate reported by Chairman Guarco is two percent, maybe a little higher.
ON A MOTION by Mr. Bischoff, seconded by Mr. Brady, the Board voted unanimously (6-0-0) to establish the tentative operating budget increase for Fiscal Year 2006 for the Board of Selectmen at 4% or less and for the Board of Education at 5% or less plus $135,000 for new ongoing costs at Wells Road.
Chairman Guarco presented the Board with information regarding the Connecticut Municipal Consortium for Fiscal Responsibility. The documents were a second draft of the group’s mission, facts, challenges, etc. (attached) and a power point presentation entitled Connecticut Municipal Coalition (attached). The group of various town officials from multiple towns and representatives of CRCOG, CCM, CREC, and CABE are trying to unite on issues such as binding arbitration, prohibiting non-funded mandates, and changing prevailing wage laws in order to get the legislators to work on these items to the satisfaction of everyone instead of listening to one group versus another or not doing anything at all because lobby groups can’t agree on changes.
Chairman Guarco indicated that there are similar groups in the state that also want to support this mission and the more towns that do this the better. It is also important that all three boards support the ideas.
The other Board members agreed with Chairman Guarco noting that it was going to take a lot of work but it was a step in the right direction because of the shape the state is in.
ON A MOTION by Mr. Bischoff, seconded by Mr. Brady, the Board voted unanimously (6-0-0) to endorse the mission of the coalition and the issues as attached to these minutes.
CONFIRM DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Board of Finance is scheduled for Monday, February 14, 2005. There may be a workshop meeting before the regular meeting to discuss the 2005-06 Budget. These meetings may both be rescheduled if the Governor’s Budget is not available.
Mr. Bischoff asked if the Board of Finance could get monthly updates on the elementary school projects. He suggested a five or ten minute agenda item. It does not have to be in writing. Mrs. Scibelli reported on the projects from information at the last Board of Selectmen meeting. Mr. Bischoff indicated that that was what he was looking for.
Mr. Bischoff inquired when CPPAC might receive the project summary sheets from the Board of Selectmen. Mrs. Scibelli indicated they are in process and would be available soon.
ADJOURNMENT
ON A MOTION by Mr. Wilke, seconded by Dr. Moffa, the Board voted unanimously (6-0-0) to adjourn the meeting at 8:57 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbarajean Scibelli
Recording Secretary
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