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These minutes are for informational purposes only. For official minutes, please contact the Town Clerk’s Office.
BOARD OF FINANCE
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
BOARD OF EDUCATION
JANUARY 16, 2001
JOINT MEETING
1. CALL TO ORDER
Paul Henault, Board of Finance Chairman, called the Joint Meeting of the Board of Finance, Board of Selectmen and Board of Education to order at 7:04 p.m. in the Board of Education Conference Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. The following board members were present: Candace Fitzpatrick, Peter Askham, James Belfiore, Anita Mielert, Thomas Vincent, John Romano, Madeleine Gilkey, Mary Margaret Girgenti, Charles Moret, John O’Neil, Jr., Mary Porter Wright, Lydia Tedone and Dominique Avery. Also present were Kevin Kane, Finance Director, Joseph Townsley, Superintendent of Schools, David Holden, Business Manager, and other interested parties.
2. GUIDELINES FOR 2001/2002 BUDGET
Chairman Henault stated that the BOF has set a budget guideline of 4%. He stated that the estimated Grand List growth is in the range of 1.42%-1.5%, the inflation rate is 3%, COLA is estimated at 3%, and the unemployment rate in Connecticut is 2%. Chairman Henault explained that the BOF considers the aforementioned economic indicators, as well as the strength of the Town’s reserves and their CNR budget.
Chairman Henault stated if the 4% guideline is met by the BOS and BOE, and $200,000 of surplus is allocated for use during the next fiscal year, the tax increase would be 3.78%. He noted that if the Town did not use surplus in the next fiscal year the tax increase would be 4.07%. He pointed out that these figures assume a collection rate of 98%. Chairman Henault stated that if the BOS increases their budget by 6.5% and the BOE by 11%, with the use of $200,000 of surplus, the tax increase would be 9.88%. He noted that without the use of surplus the tax increase would be 10.17%.
Chairman Henault stated that the BOF approved $320,000 for the purchase of modular classrooms. He stated that the BOF does not want the CNR budget to be above $725,000 in the next fiscal year.
Mr. Moret questioned the Town’s property tax increase over the last two years. Chairman Henault stated that last year the tax increase was 6.17%. Mr. Kane stated that in the prior year the tax increase was 4% and the year before the tax increase was 3%. Mr. Askham pointed out that last year the Grand List growth was greater than 2.5%. Ms. Mielert stated that the current unemployment rate in Simsbury is 0.8% and Simsbury is a net employer. She noted that the current collection rate is 99.2% and the Town is attempting to collect $1,100,000 in back taxes. Chairman Henault stated that the BOF set the budget to a 98% collection rate.
3. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
_________________________________ _____________________________
Paul W. Henault, Chairman Kathryn D. Wilde, Clerk
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