Board of Finance, Board of Selectmen, Board of Education Special Joint Meeting Minutes - 12/15/14
Board of Finance
With Board of Selectman and Board of Education
Special Meeting
December 15, 2014
“Subject to Approval”
Call to Order
Mr. Askham, Chairman, called the Special Meeting of the Board of Finance with the Board of Selectman and Board of Education, to order at 6:00 P.M. on Monday, December 15, 2014 in the Board of Education Conference Room located at 933 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT. The following members were present: Board of Finance members Barbara Petitjean, Jeff Blumenthal, Nicholas Mason, Linda Schofield and Moira Wertheimer; Board of Selectmen members Mary Glassman, First Selectmen, Cheryl Cook, Nancy Haase and Michael Paine; Board of Education members Matthew Curtis, Superintendent, Todd Burrick, Tom Doran, Chris Kelly, Michael Goman, Burke LaClair, Susan Salina, Lydia Tedone and Tara Donohue Willerup Also present were Thomas Cooke, Director of Administrative Services, Joseph Mancini, Director of Finance/Treasurer and other interested parties.
Pledge of Allegiance
Everyone stood for the Pledge of Allegiance
Board of Finance Overview
Mr. Askham discussed the budget and the objective of this meeting with the Board of Selectmen and Board of Education members. Mr. Askham reviewed the handout of the Board of Finance 2014-2015 Current Budget and 2015 – 2016 Planning with members. The handout included:
Budget Goals
Financial Indicators
Estimates that impact the budget
How does Simsbury Compare
Mill Rate Worksheet
Revenue – 5 Year
Expenditures – 5 Year
CNR – 5 Year
Simsbury Farms
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Budget Items to Consider
Ms. Glassman discussed items to be aware of that will have a significant impact on the budget as well as drivers affecting the budget and opportunities they have been working on.
Mr. Mancini reviewed the handout on the Pressures on the Town Budget. This included the following information:
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Health Insurance
Simsbury Farms
Pension ARC
Contractual Increases
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State Aid reductions
The Hartford Uncertainty
Grand List
Mr. Curtis discussed the decline in school enrollment and how it relates to their overall budget planning. He also discussed their focus on innovations in technology and the Special Education transition programming.
Mr. LaClair noted that they are working on some energy efficient programs to help improve efficiency.
Mr. Cooke discussed the Affordable Care Act and other items that are going to impact the next budget.
Fiscal Year 2016 budget timeline
Mr. Askham discussed the listing of the Board of Finance Key Budget dates with all Board members.
Discussions on the budget
Refer to Item 3 discussion.
Finance Director’s Report
Mr. Mancini discussed his memorandum to the Board of Finance members which included:
Fiscal Year 2014
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Fiscal Year 2015
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Simsbury Farms
Long Range Planning
Approval of 2015 finance calendar
Ms. Petitjean made a motion to approve the Board of Finance regular scheduled meetings for the calendar year 2015 with the understanding that April 8th may be substituted for the April 9, 2015 meeting. Mr. Blumenthal seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion passed.