TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
BUDGET WORKSHOP MINUTES
MARCH 9, 2006
First Selectman Adams called the meeting to order at 6:12 p.m.
PRESENT: John Adams, Ronald Desrosiers, Frank Judice, Sally King, Mark Neumann, and William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager
Selectman Desrosiers began the budget review process tonight with a review of Debt Service. The debt activity of the town provides payments of annual bond maturity and interest costs on bonded and short-term borrowings. Principal in the amount of $1,697,500 and interest in the amount of $1,235,303 (plus $10,000 in service fees) for a total amount of $2,942,803 was paid in 2005-2006. The total amount budgeted for 2006-2007 is $3,027,763 with a break down of $1,702,500 for principal payments, $1,315,263 in interest, and service fees of $10,000. Additional discussion covered debt limitation as noted on page D-87.
The Capital Improvement Program was the next to be reviewed. To be included in this program two major criteria must be met. Capital Improvement items are included if the improvement cost is greater than $50,000 and the life of the improvement is more than five years. Capital Equipment items are included if the equipment cost includes items costing more than $5,000 in 2006. Those items are required to be inventoried and depreciated.
Review of the Capital Improvement Program as outlined on page E-5 summarized programs including Road Construction; Culverts, Bridges, and Drainage (not funded this year); Overlay Roads; Capital Equipment; Educational Related; Property Valuation; Economic Development (not funded this year); Public Facilities; and Curbs, Sidewalks, and Traffic Control (not funded this year).
The total amount requested for the Capital Budget for 2006-2007 is $1,172,585. The amount requested from the General Government Budget is $920,000; from Town Aid Road Fund (TAR) - $85,000; LoCIP Fund - $80,000; Communication Fund - $85,000; and Capital Equipment/Improvement Fund balance use - $2,585. Of the total appropriation, $712,585 is for the town and $460,000 for the Board of Education. Additional detail on the Capital Improvement projects is shown on pages E-6 through E-14. Pages E-15 through E-19 provides data comparisons for past years covering mill rates, debt service, monies returned to fund balance, next taxable grand list, and page E-20 is capital asset audit information.
Review of this section concluded at 6:42 p.m. No changes were made to Debt Service or the Capital Improvement Program at this time.
The next section to be reviewed was Administration led by Selectman King. Overall Administration detail showed an increase of 9.1% with the largest increase attributed to negotiations being held with the Police Union and GMEA.
General Administration personnel includes William F. Smith, Jr. (1/2), Barbarajean Scibelli (1/2), Pat Chieski, Susan Christian, and Fran Armentano. The most significant increase here was for the IWWC Consultant for $15,000.
Selectman King noted once again this year 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.
Discussion of Fringe Benefits covered the Health Plan with Stop Loss, Pension, St. Treas./FICA and the costs to pick up half of the benefits for the new Maintainer who started in 2006.
Town Clerk operations were flat with the exception of the cost for microfilming showing an increase of approximately $2,000. The Probate Office expenses also remained flat.
There is a mandated retirement age for Probate Judges in the State of Connecticut, therefore Granby’s Probate Judge, Philip D. Main, will retire in April 2006. The town is planning a reception in honor of his years of service.
Contingency and Reserve showed an addition of $58,750 in anticipation of settlements in negotiations with two of Granby’s bargaining units.
Election Services was up in anticipation of a primary or perhaps two this coming fall.
Boards, Regional Programs, and Staff Development were up 1.5%. Discussion followed on the value of membership in CCM and also if associated costs are actual fees or donations. CCM was thought to be very valuable. Some costs are actual fees while others are donations based on a formula.
The increase in Revenue Collections was mostly due to seasonal help in the office. The increase in Property Assessment was attributed to property inspection and audits of commercial accounts.
Finance Management personnel includes William F. Smith, Jr. (1/2), Barbarajean Scibelli (1/2), Donna Moody, and Sherrie Sperry. Postage increases and the fee associated with the audit accounted for most of the increase in this category.
The last category for this section of the budget is Insurances. Discussion here centered on the Workers’ Compensation increase, which is salary based.
Review of Administration concluded at 7:22 p.m. No changes were made to Administration at this time.
The meeting adjourned at 7:23 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Smith, Jr.
Town Manager
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