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TOWN OF GRANBY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
BUDGET WORKSHOP MINUTES
MARCH 15, 2011
First Selectman Adams called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.
PRESENT: John Adams, Ronald Desrosiers, B. Scott Kuhnly, Sally King, Mark Neumann, and William F. Smith, Jr., Town Manager
Also present: Barbarajean Scibelli, Administration Finance Officer; Michael Guarco, Board of Finance Chairman; and Gordon Bischoff, Board of Finance
Selectman Kuhnly began the review of Libraries, Recreation, and Social Services, which includes Library Services, Social Services, Recreation Administration, Senior Citizen Activities and Community Support.
Library Services had significant changes with an increase in personnel – part-time (Sunday hours) at a cost of $3,146 and Granby Public Library books at $2,000. Measures of activity show an anticipated increase in all areas. Granby has 7,290 active card users. Services and supplies stayed flat. An overall increase shows 3.0% or $12,330. Revenue of $22,200 from grants, fines, and trust funds is proposed. There was some discussion of E-Book availability in the near future. Joan Fox, Director of Library Services, reported she has been speaking to vendors and anticipates doing something within the next year. Social Services had no significant changes, just a slight increase in wages. Gordon Bischoff was interested in how the copier maintenance contract works for the town. It was
stated that contract maintenance for larger copiers was done through an individual contract. Smaller copiers were shared with departments as one contract. Recreation Administration showed an increase in miscellaneous office supplies, which covers replacing some stored equipment if needed, among other items. Recreational opportunities and activity participation has increased tremendously over the years. There is an overall proposed increase of 4.4% or $3,499. Senior Citizen Activities has seen an increase in regular payroll and temporary/part-time as well as increased requests for senior van use. Selectman Desrosiers reported the Senior Center has received their five- year re-accreditation. Services and supplies have stayed flat. An overall increase is at 4.4% or $4,600. Community Support is to promote Memorial Day observances within the town. That has stayed flat at $2,000.
No changes were made to Libraries, Recreation, and Social Services at this time.
First Selectman Adams began the review of Capital Budget and Debt Service.
The capital budget summary is located on pages D-81 and E-5 showing road construction projects (Creamery Hill and Greenwoods), small bridge/culvert activity on Mechanicsville and Moosehorn, road overlay program, equipment leases, police and administration vehicles, and revaluation. The Board of Education small capital program is also included here. Capital Budget funding is proposed to come from General Government Budget in the amount of $1,079,367, Town Aid Road Fund (Tar) - $135,000, LoCip Fund - $85,000, Communications Fund - $85,000 and Capital Equipment/Improvement Fund balance - $25,000. The total appropriation amount of $1,409,367 for 2011-2012 amounts to $884,367 for the town, and $525,000 for the Board of Education. The increase in the 2011-2012 request is $254,522. First Selectman Adams reported Debt
Service has decreased $595,798, a change of -14.8%. It will continue to decrease over the next several years.
No changes were made to Capital Budget and Debt Service at this time.
First Selectman Adams began the review of Revenues. This includes Property Taxes, Intergovernmental Revenues, and Local Revenues and Fund Transfers.
Property Taxes continue to be the major source of revenue available to the town. Estimated collections for FY 2011 will be slightly higher than last year. Intergovernmental Revenues are estimated to be slightly higher in total education at 3.5% and slightly under on the municipal side at -1.5%. The proposed 2011-2012 Local Departmental and Fund Revenue total is a decrease of 12.4%. The decrease is from using less fund balance and low short-term investment rates.
Other Funds include Dog Fund, Recreation Program Events, Sewer Utility, Capital Equipment/Improvement Fund, and Education Quality and Diversity Fund.
These funds are mostly self-funding. There are approximately 1,300 registered dogs in Granby. There were no significant changes in the Dog Fund. Recreation Program Events showed a measure of activity with an anticipated increase of 5,000 total participants for events. Sewer Utility had no changes. Capital Equipment/Improvement Fund revenues show the Communication Fund to be $85,000. The tower companies merge and move around so revenues are diminishing. We actually get about $40,000 per year so the $85,000 transfer to capital may not be available at the same level next year. There were no significant changes to the Education Quality and Diversity Fund.
There were no changes made to Revenues and Other Funds at this time.
The meeting adjourned at 7:12 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
William F. Smith, Jr.
Town Manager
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