TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
BUDGET WORKSHOP MINUTES
MARCH 14, 2005
First Selectman Adams called the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m.
PRESENT: John Adams, Ronald Desrosiers, Frank Judice, Sally King, Mark Neumann, and William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager
Also present: Michael B. Guarco, Board of Finance Chairman
Selectman Neumann began the workshop meeting with a review of Administration. The twelve sections include General Administration; Legal Services; Fringe Benefits; Town Clerk Operations; Probate Office; Contingency and Reserve; Election Services; Boards, Regional Programs, and Staff Development; Revenue Collections; Property Assessment; Finance Management, and Insurances. The overall increase is 5.4%.
An increase in General Administration of $1,000 for GIS and software program was needed to keep up to date with changes in community development. There was a minor increase in professional affiliations.
Under Legal Services it was noted that Granby’s Town Attorney, Donald Holtman provides cost efficient services to Granby. He maintains a reasonable hourly rate and keeps hours charged to a minimum. Selectman King noted he would be hard to replace.
Fringe Benefits showed a decrease from $628,830 to $578,936 in Health Plan w/Stop Loss, however the latter number is a 10% increase over what is needed in 2004-05. The Pension Plan increased from $168,520 to $231,395. This is formula driven and reflects the fall in the market and previous enhancements to the plan.
Town Clerk Operations reflected increases in land records and map filing activity within the office and accounted for other requested increases. An increase for professional affiliations is for training an Assistant Town Clerk to obtain International Certification.
The only increase in the Probate Office was to cover an increase in the cost of the vault books.
Contingency and Reserve reflects the anticipated cost of contract settlements for IBPO (Police) and MEUI (Public Works). Both contracts expire June 30, 2005; however, when settlements are reached they are most often retroactive to July 1st.
Election Services showed a decrease in miscellaneous office supplies and canvass by mail. Mileage and staff education increased. However, the overall result was a 7.6% decrease in services and supplies. The voting machines must be inspected periodically by mandate; this inspection was reflected in the increase shown under Machine Maintenance and Inspection.
Boards, Regional Programs, and Staff Development increases were basically for membership fees for various organizations including CCM, CRCOG, and GFOA dues. Revenue shown in the amount of $11,500 is generated through ZBA, IWWC, and P & Z fees.
Slight increases in services and supplies for Revenue Collections was noted. The only significant increase was due to the Municipal Revenue Collection and DMV fees. The town now pays a fee to the state for placing a citizen on the ineligible registration list of motor vehicles for the State of Connecticut. (This means if a citizen has not paid motor vehicle taxes to a town, he/she cannot register a vehicle with the State of Connecticut until taxes are paid.) Revenue shown comes from prior year tax collection, interest and liens, and the supplemental motor vehicle list.
The Board requested information on the revenue generated from the property inspection and audits listed under contract and maintenance service for Property Assessment. Town Manager Smith will provide that information.
Finance management revenue in the amount of $135,000 is interest received from short-term investments. Increases for the audit and budget printing were very minor amounting to 2.7%.
The final category under Administration was Insurances. A 1.3% increase was attributed directly to the workers’ compensation package. The town has a three-year contract with CIRMA for the business package and that is holding flat.
Review of this section concluded at 6:52 p.m. No changes were made to Administration at this time.
The next section to be reviewed was Libraries, Recreation, and Social Services. Categories covered in this section are Library Services, Social Services, Recreation Administration, Senior Citizen Activities, and Community Support.
Utilizing a different approach, Selectman Judice distributed a handout showing measures of activity for the various sections. Also broken out were salary and non-salary increases and decreases. One increase was a direct result of grant fall off and library salaries decreased as the budget eliminated one full time position. He also noted the Senior Center had recently achieved National Accreditation, which will be a great asset when applying for grants in the future.
Selectman Judice stated all of these programs are very important and it was vital to maintain current staffing levels and not to decrease hours or programs. Any cut in these areas would be significant since they are small dollar amounts to begin with. He recommended if there was any way possible, the Board should add back the library position and fund the other requests as outlined.
Review of this section concluded at 7:15 p.m. No changes were made to Libraries, Recreation, and Social Services at this time. Selectman Judice left the meeting following his presentation.
First Selectman Adams began review of the Capital Budget as shown on page 130. The total request for FY 2005-2006 is $995,887. The breakdown for the Capital Improvement Program was detailed in pages 143 through 151; the summary was provided on page 142.
Other Funds include Dog Fund, Recreation Program Events, Sewer Utility, Capital Equipment/Improvement Fund, and Education Quality & Diversity. There was a lengthy discussion on the fund balance of $208,018 in the Sewer Utility Fund. The sewer use rates are traditionally set in May and the balance continues to grow and is very healthy. Town Manager Smith indicated that perhaps some of the money could be used for other sewer activity. Town Manager Smith will check to determine what the funds might be used for to enable the Board to consider transferring some of these funds.
No changes were made to the Capital Budget at this time.
Debt Service was reviewed. Town Manager Smith indicated that there would be a reduction in this account from refunding eligible bonds.
The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Smith, Jr.
Town Manager
| 
