Simsbury, CT - Board of Finance

The Budget Workshop Meeting of the Board of Finance was called to order at 5:05 P.M. in the Lower Conference Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. Present were Chairman Paul Henault, Board Members Nicholas Mason, Kevin North, Michael Wade, Peter Askham and Candace Fitzpatrick, First Selectman Thomas Vincent, Selectman Anita Mielert, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Joseph Townsley, Business Manager David Holden, Technology Director Steve Arnoff, Board of Education Members Robert Moran and Mary Margaret Girgenti and Finance Director Kevin Kane.

Ms. Fitzpatrick referred the Board to the letter to Chairman Henault from Wayne Bursey of the Simsbury Chamber of Commerce in support of funding for the Simsbury Visitors' Center. (Addendum I)

First Selectman Vincent told the Board that funding for the Visitors' Center includes the monthly rental fee and brochures, etc. In response to Mr. Henault's question, First Selectman Vincent said that at the present time, there has been no other suitable location identified for the Visitor's Center.

In response to Chairman Henault's question, Mr. Kane said that the increase in insurance costs reflects a 28% increase in the Self-Insurance Premium and a 15.3% increase in the CT Care HMO Premium.

Mr. Kane reviewed his memorandum to Peter Askham regarding the effect on the CNR Fund from the Board of Education Computer Technology Appropriation highlighting two scenarios of annual appropriations from the CNR Fund in the amounts of $125,000 and $200,000. (Addendum II) Dr. Townsley informed the Board that the Technology Sub-Committee advised that funding for computers should not be a Capital expenditure.

In response to Chairman Henault's questions, Mr. Kane said that the $394,631 proposed salary budget increase reflects contract negotiations with six unions, only one of which has been settled; that contracts are effective July 1st; and that "step" increases, a major impact on the increase, are effective on the hire or anniversary date.

In response to Chairman Henault's questions, First Selectman Vincent reviewed the impact of insurance costs; the decrease in Highway Department budget which raises safety concerns and impacts business; said that the individual transferred from the Highway Department to the sewer treatment plant will be performing a completely different function; that the Town is already receiving complaints from residents regarding calls being answered by machines; that staffing shortages impact timely service to contractors and consequently economic development.

Ms. Fitzpatrick suggested that predictable demands on reserves should be addressed in the Operating Budgets so that they are factored into the mil rate.

In response to Mr. Mason's and Mr. North's efficiency concerns, Mr. Kane said that in comparison to similar municipalities, the Town would be considered understaffed; that the Assessor's office, Town Clerk's Office, Tax Collector and Finance Department are all down staff; and that job descriptions are governed by contracts which spell out the duties and responsibilities of individual employees.

In response to Mr. Askham's question, Mr. Kane said that the cost of offering retirement incentives, i.e. continued medical, etc., almost entirely offsets the savings on salary of new employees.

In response to Chairman Henault's question, Mr. Kane said that this year's surplus is less than in past years and has been impacted by lower investment returns and higher legal fees.

In response to Mr. Mason, Dr. Townsley said that his participation in the budget process is not to develop a budget, but to provide the Board of Education and Budget Sub-Committee with information regarding programs and staffing; that budget guidelines are not discussed with Department Heads; and if cuts are necessary, he provides a prioritized list.

In response to Mr. North's questions regarding reengineering, Dr. Townsley said that cost per pupil is below state average for elementary and middle school students and above for high school students.

In response to Chairman Henault's questions, Dr. Townsley said that if an individual spends less that 50% of his time teaching, the cost of that person goes into the administrative budget; that a 125 student increase over last year is projected and that Kindergarten enrollment could be 75 - 80 more students than projected.