Selectboard Budget Meeting
December 14, 2009
Attending the meeting; Jon Trefry, Ken Brown, Howard Russell, Andrea Morgante, Jeanne Wilson, Susan Barden, Katherine Kjelleren, Melissa Levy and Bill Marks.
Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m.
Carpenter Carse Library: Librarian Susan Barden and Library Trustee Katherine Kjelleren reviewed the proposed budget with the Board. Sue explained that the Books and Materials request is increased due to expanding media types, such as DVD, CD, Periodicals, and now databases through the Vermont Library Consortium. Downloadable books are available through a link at the library’s website http://www.carpentercarse.org. Howard asked whether the library was realizing a savings in electricity costs due to the wind turbine. Sue advised that the wind turbine has been out of service for the last few months, and a new turbine is expected to be installed soon. The library has not yet been through an entire year with the wind turbine, so they are unable to quantify savings at this time. Sue noted that the expenditure for electricity has increased due to more computers, more use of the building, and perhaps also due to inefficiency in the aging rooftop blowers, which run year-round. Sue also noted that the budget for property & liability insurance increased because the library increased the listed content value to reflect acquisition of new computer hardware.
Cemetery Commission: The Commission did not submit a budget request. Rocky has advised that the Wahl contract will remain the same for the coming year. Budget level funded.
Lake Iroquois Recreation District: Requested level funding at $600.
Hinesburg Land Trust: After a decrease in the request from $5,000 to $3,000 for FY 09-10, the HLT is requesting to return to the $5,000 appropriation for FY 10-11.
Conservation Commission: Commissioners Melissa Levy and Bill Marks reviewed the Commission’s proposed budget with the Board. Only two changes in the budget were proposed – a decrease of $400 in Geprags Park Maintenance to better reflect actual expense, and an increase to $3,600 for Natural Resource Planning. Melissa explained that the funding for Natural Resource Planning is for any needed additional work on the Green Space Plan, as well as to address any requests from the Planning Commission for assistance with rural zoning regulations.
Land Preservation Fund: The appropriation for this fund is based on a recommendation from the Conservation Commission. Commissioner Bill Marks advised that the Commission was requesting an increase in the appropriation from $7,500 to $10,000 for FY 10-11. This fund is used as seed money for land acquisition projects. Bill stated that it was more equitable to spread the cost of land acquisition over all the taxpayers. He noted that the Commission understands that it is a tough year financially, but it is the job of the Commission to present its recommendation. The Board asked for information from other towns on how they fund land conservation projects. Jeanne will solicit feedback on this question from other towns. Howard stated that he could not comment on whether he was supportive of the increase at this time. He needs to look at the whole budget and the bottom line in January before coming to a decision.
Other Agencies: The Board reviewed the recommendation of the Agency Request Review Committee and had some questions about the rational used for some recommendations. The Board asked that a representative of the Committee attend an upcoming meeting to provide further information.
Hinesburg Historical Society: The Society submitted a written request to the Board for an appropriation of $300, which would allow the Society to file for 501c3 tax-exempt status. The Board reviewed the letter, along with an email message submitted to the Selectboard by Jeanne Wilson that was written to the Historical Society by one of its members asking that the Society reconsider asking for property tax dollars to fund its application for tax-exempt status. The Board felt the Society was doing good work, and important work, for the community, and that community members were probably willing to help support the work of the Society, but the Board was not convinced that an appropriation of tax dollars should be used. Andrea noted that fund-raising was an organization-building exercise. The Board suggested that the Society might come to the Town to request funding for specific projects.
Debt Service: Reduced by $3,000 to $73,301.
Landfill Closure: Level fund at $650 for well monitoring.
County Tax: Request not yet available. Budget meeting scheduled for later in December.
Unemployment Compensation: Increased by $500 to $4,500. The Town has a very good rating for unemployment compensation, but the VLCT Trust will be less likely to be in a position to provide refunds to towns due to increased unemployment claims trust-wide and also due to an increase to the base wage set by the State.
Property and Liability Insurance: Reduced by $4,500 based on actual expenses.
Workers Compensation Insurance: The Town’s experience modification continues to increase, and is now at 1.66. The work of the Safety Committee may bring the rate down, but may take a few years to realize benefit. Increased $7,000 to $49,480.
Short Term & Long Term Disability Insurance: The rates for both are based on the number of employees and pay rates. Jon asked whether a portion of this expense was funded by the Water & Wastewater Department. Jeanne advised that it was totally funded by the General Fund, but that she would look into whether it was possible to accurately assign a portion of the expense to Water & Wastewater.
Employee Flexible Spending Plan: VLCT is changing to another vendor for this program, which may generate more employee participation. Jon noted that it is a good program to make available to employees, but wondered what the actual cost to the Town is (after reduced expense due to lower FICA). Jeanne will see if she can determine the actual cost.
Health Insurance: Budgeted expense for health/dental/vision insurance is $247,136. Jeanne will do some comparison to last years budget and actual to give the Board some data on percent increase in expense.
COLA / Wage Rate Adjustment and Retirement: Figures not yet available. BLS should release CPI information in mid-December.
Other Board Member Items: Andrea stated that she was interested in the organizational function of the Town, and asked that, during the upcoming budget meetings, Board members think about personnel and whether the organization can be more efficient. Ken noted that there are only two more budget meetings. Howard stated that he was not sure the final budget meetings were a time to look at structural changes. Andrea advised that she was not suggesting the Board make changes during the budget process, but think about them for the coming year.
Howard moved the Board vote to adjourn at 9:05 p.m., second by Andrea and approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeanne Kundell Wilson
Hinesburg Town Administrator