TOWN OF SIMSBURY
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
BUDGET WORKSHOP
FEBRUARY 11, 2004
CALL TO ORDER
The Budget Workshop meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order at 6:10 p.m. in the lower conference room of the Simsbury Town Offices on February 11, 2004. Present were the First Selectman Thomas Vincent, Board Members Joel Mandell, John Romano, Madeleine Gilkey, William Garrity, and John Hampton. The Assistant to the First Selectman Brandon Robertson and other interested parties were also present.
First Selectman Vincent reviewed the evening's agenda.
Mr. Kevin Kane went over an update to the operating budget. He explained a proposed adjustment to employee group insurance. He said that reductions to the PPO and Connecticare plans. Connecticare numbers came in earlier in week and the actual increase looks to be 8 1/2% versus the proposed 15%. That is an actual reduction. Cigna, self insured plan will remain with the 15% projection.
Mr. Vincent explained the savings of $31,495.00 reducing the budget to 4.23%.
SIX YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN
Mr. Garrity and Mr. Vincent had discussion about the six year capital plan and how the Board of Finance would receive presentation of the plan on February 24, 2004. Mr. Kane explained that a public hearing would then be called. Mr. Kane explained prioritizing for board members. Mr. Garrity did not approve of the Board of Education's plan for the track and field location at the high school. There was some discussion among board members about the location for the fields as explained by the Board of Education at the last budget workshop. Also, Ms. Gilkey noted that lights were not included in that cost for track and field. Mr. Kane explained the Board of Selectmen "rights".
Mr. Vincent asked for a motion to approve the Six-Year Capital Improvement Plan for 2004-05 through 2009- 2010 in the amount of $47,263,034.00 Mr. Mandell made the motion and Mr. Garrity seconded the motion. Mr. Romano had concerns about major projects in 2005-06 and noted this. All were in favor.
CAPITAL NON-RECURRING EXPENDITURES
Mr. Vincent requested a motion to approve the Capital Non-Recurring Expenditure Plan of 2004-05 in the amount of $446,873. Mr. Garrity made the motion and Mr. Mandell seconded the motion. There was a brief discussion among the board members about a pass through grant. All were in favor and the motion passed.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
BUDGET WORKSHOP
February 11, 2004
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OPERATING BUDGET REQUESTS
Mr. Vincent explained the reduction in the operating budget due to the lowered estimated insurance plan decreases for Mr. Mandell who was not present at that time.
Mr. Vincent requested a motion to approve the 2004-05 Board of Selectmen Operating Budget in the amount of $14,907,998.00. Mr. Mandell made the motion and Ms. Gilkey seconded the motion. There was discussion on the operating budget. Mr. Hampton had no comment on the budget. Mr. Romano was not in favor of the $3,000 under the Economic Development Commission Budget for the Visitor's Center.
Mr. Mandell was comfortable with the budget. Mr. Garrity would like to have the captain for the police department put into the budget for the extra $9,000. Mr. Kane explained that there were 3 new positions in the budget after talking to the police chief about when these positions would be hired, Mr. Garrity changed his idea for the captain, as it looked like the Chief would be getting what was needed. Mr. Garrity did not agree with bringing back the library hours and leaving the materials flat in the library budget. He would like to see the $18,000 go for materials instead of the hours and was willing to add additional funds to make the total of $22,000 in order to keep up with new materials budgets. Mr. Garrity also asked Kevin Kane, if it was possible for him to give savings in
dollars if they have a freeze of all non union employees salaries, i.e. the department heads salaries. Mr. Kane said this would have to be done in executive session. First Selectman Vincent, forwarded information on this matter from the town attorney including the need for an executive session and the proper notification must be given to those non-union employees who this may effect. Mr. Garrity felt this would be a good one year savings. Mr. Romano and Ms. Gilkey agreed with Mr. Garrity on having funds go for the library materials versus reinstating the hours. Library Board members that were present explained that the Sundays are very important to children with school work. Ms. Gilkey suggested a compromise between the hours and materials money. A library board member did explain it's not just the books at the library anymore. The hours open with available reference help and computers is very important and a very big
part of the library. Mr. Vincent asked Mr. Kane about increasing the library budget and which line item. Mr. Kane did not know the dollar amount to have a Sunday open. Board members would like to see them use the money for materials and possibly add back some of the Sundays. Mr. Mandell did not think they should tell the library board, staff, and director when to open and close. Ms. Gilkey confirmed which line item money was to be added, part time, materials etc. Mr. Vincent confirmed there would be a reduction of $4,000 under part time, and adding $8,000 to reference material line. Mr. Vincent corrected the motion amount to be $14, 911,998.00. Mr. Kane said this will now bring the budget to 4.26% Mr. Hampton said he supported the $3,000 for the visitor's center under the EDC budget. Ms. Gilkey would support it for this year but not one dollar more than the $3,000 for that visitor's center which she felt they would probably be
needing new literature. Mr. Garrity wanted to look at the amount saved on a possible non union salary freeze.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
BUDGET WORKSHOP
February 11, 2004
Page 3
Mr. Mandell did not want to penalize non union members and Ms. Gilkey agreed. Mr. Hampton was in favor of looking at the savings and Mr. Romano was not. Mr. Garrity would probably vote against the budget since he feels strongly about looking into non union member salary freeze savings.
Mr. Romano and Ms. Gilkey said they too would be interested in what the savings would be across the board if all non union members salaries were frozen. Mr. Vincent reminded everyone there was a motion in front of them to pass a budget and they would not be able to pass this budget because there would have to be an executive session meeting to look at the possible savings if there were a non-union member salary freeze.
Mr. Romano mentioned his nickel and dime items to cut the budget and he changed his mind, feeling that the First Selectman has already made necessary cuts, but he said there are opportunities in the budget to make cuts and if it saves one dollar for a fixed income or struggling resident it is very worth it to him.
Mr. Mandell thought the board should hear Mr. Romano's cuts.
Ms. Gilkey wanted to mention a large cut before beginning with smaller cuts. She questioned an item under the highway facilities budget, the building improvements line. Ms. Gilkey thought there was some conflict with a brand new combination Board of Ed, and Town facility and the other new facility in the Capital Improvement Plan for this year. She suggested holding off on this combination facility for this year.
Mr. Vincent explained right now the unfinished area houses the new street signs. Mr. Mandell suggested making a list with all the proposed cuts.
Mr. Romano listed all of his proposed cuts to the budget which totaled $21,600.
Mr. Kane reviewed the cuts and gave amount total saved $21,600 to reduce the budget to 4.11%.
Mr. Vincent appreciated Mr. Romano's efforts but felt he had already reduced the budget and he gave his opinions on the budget cuts. He supported his budget as presented and was opposed to Mr. Romano's budget cuts. Mr. Garrity and Mr. Mandell were opposed to the budget cuts. Mr. Hampton supported Mr. Romano's cuts except for the library, parade, and the road improvements, and the $6,500 building improvement cut. Mr. Romano was in favor of his cuts.
Ms. Gilkey was happy with a 4.26% budget and will support it.
Mr. Vincent confirmed the need to revisit the non union member salaries and also confirmed the budget total at $ 14,911,998.00, actually Mr. Kane reminded of a reduction under social security that brought the total amount down to $14,911,692.00, still a 4.26% budget.
Mr. Vincent told the board that voting no means not passing the operating budget, if yes than the operating budget moves foreward. Another meeting would need to be called to discuss the non union member salary freeze in an executive session and then another vote would take place on the operating budget.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
BUDGET WORKSHOP
February 11, 2004
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The date for an executive session meeting to discuss the proposed item was going to be scheduled for either later on February 23 or February 24th. Mr. Mandell respects what everyone wants to do but is not in favor of reviewing the non union member salary freeze.
Mr. Vincent again requested a motion to approve the 2004-05 Operating Budget in the amount of $14,911,692.00.
Two were for the motion, Mr. Vincent and Mr. Mandell. Four were opposed to the budget, Mr. Garrity, Ms. Gilkey, Mr. Hampton, and Mr. Romano.
The budget did not move forward.
Mr. Vincent wanted board members to know that he wanted to include an additional $5,000 to the Residential Rental Properties amount $49,372.00. The surplus in the account would cover the additional $5,000 and Mr. Vincent will explain next time.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Vincent requested a motion to adjourn the Budget Workshop of February 11, 2004. Mr. Hampton made the motion and Mr. Mandell seconded the motion.
The budget workshop adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
Information about when the next meeting will be scheduled will follow.
Respectfully Submitted,_______________
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