District Officers Salaries

Transcription

1 TOWN OF GILMANTON BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING Members Present: Brian Forst, Chairman, Stan Bean, Vice Chairman, Anne Kirby, Steven Bedard, Joanne Melle, Mark Sawyer, Michael Jean, Selectmen Representative, Richard Bakos, Sawyer Lake Representative, Michael Hatch, School Board representative and Business Administrator Christine Hayes via skype. Representing the School District were Superintendent John Fauci, Principal Carol Locke, Director of Student Services Nancy Fournier, teacher Nancy Tothill and School Board members Malcolm MacLeod and Adam Mini. Representing the Town were Town Administrator Paul Branscombe, Finance Director Brenda Paquette, Town Clerk/Tax Collector Debra Cornett, Chief Matthew Currier and Heather Carpenter. Chairman Forst called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. School Revenues and Warrant Articles Members of the Budget Committee was given the proposed 2017 Warrant Articles and the Capital Reserve and Expendable Trust Summary Sheet for review. Michael Hatch, School Board Chairman and representative outlined the proposed warrant articles as follows: 20 ARTICLE II. District Officers Salaries Moderator $ District Clerk $ Chairperson of School Board $ School Board Members (4) each $ District Treasurer $1, ARTICLE III. Gilmanton School Leach Field Pump Station Capital Reserve Fund To see if the School District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Four Thousand One Hundred Thirty-Four Dollars ($4,134) to be placed in the Septic System Capital Reserve Fund as previously established ARTICLE IV. Roof Replacement Expendable Trust Fund To see if the District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Forty-Two Thousand Three Hundred Thirty-Six Dollars ($42,336) to be placed in the Roof Replacement Expendable Trust Fund as

2 34 ARTICLE V. Water Storage Tanks Capital Reserve Page To see if the District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Two Thousand Three Hundred Sixty-One Dollars ($2,361) to be placed in the Water Storage Tanks Capital Reserve Fund as ARTICLE VI. Paving Capital Reserve To see if the District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Seventeen Thousand Eight Hundred Forty-Seven ($17,847) to be placed in the Paving Capital Reserve Fund as previously established. 42 ARTICLE VII. Boiler Replacement Expendable Trust To see if the District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One Thousand Eight Hundred Fifty Dollars ($1,850) to be placed in the Boiler Replacement Expendable Trust Fund as 46 ARTICLE VIII. Tractor Replacement Expendable Trust To see if the District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Three Thousand One Hundred Seventeen Dollars ($3,117) to be placed in the Tractor Replacement Expendable Trust Fund as 50 ARTICLE IX. Asbestos Tile Replacement Expendable Trust To see if the District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Twelve Thousand Nine Hundred Twenty-Seven Dollars ($12,927) to be placed in the Asbestos Tile Replacement Expendable Trust as ARTICLE X. Gilmanton School Fuel Storage Tank Capital Reserve Fund To see if the School District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Four Thousand Seven Hundred Sixteen Dollars ($4,716) to be placed in the Fuel Storage Tank Capital Reserve Fund as 58 ARTICLE XI. Special Ed. Expendable Trust To see if the District will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Six Thousand Eight Hundred Twenty-Five Dollars ($6,825) to be placed in the Special Education Expendable Trust as 62 ARTICLE XII. Collective Bargaining Agreement To see if the School District will vote to approve the cost items included in the collective bargaining agreement reached between the Gilmanton School Board and the Gilmanton Education Association which calls for the following increases in salaries and benefits at the current staffing level:

3 Page Fiscal Year Est. Increase Fiscal Year Est. Increase Fiscal Year Est. Increase 2018 $41, $129, $133,211 and further to raise and appropriate the sum of $41,311 for the current fiscal year, such sum representing the additional costs attributable to the increase in salaries and benefits required by the new agreement over those that would be paid at the current staffing levels in accordance with the most recent collective bargaining agreement. Malcolm MacLeod explained that the Gilmanton Education Agreement has agreed to take a consumer driven insurance plan, with a higher deductible, and that the savings to the district would fund their salary increases. Their SchoolCare Insurance will see an increase of 9% in the coming year. This plan will see a savings of $889,000 to the district. The proposed Collective Bargaining Agreement would also like to add a stipend for $ for a Rock Club activity and a $ stipend for a Green Club activity. He also indicated that the tuition allowance for the teachers staff development will increase from $ to $1, each, per year. Chairman Forst inquired as to why the costs are driven in years 2 and 3? Mr. MacLeod stated that the cost savings will occur during the first year of the contract. He indicated that the agreement has been ratified and will be on the ballot in March. 83 ARTICLE XIII. Authorization for Special Meeting on Collective Bargaining Article To see if the School District, if article XII is defeated, authorize the governing body to call one special meeting, at its option, to address article XII cost items only. Mr. Hatch stated that this article would only be brought forward if needed. ARTICLE XIV. To see if the School District will vote to raise and appropriate as an operating budget, not including appropriations by special warrant articles and other appropriation voted separately, the amounts set forth therein, totaling the sum of Ten Million, Six Hundred Forty Three Thousand, Nine Hundred Twenty One Dollars ($10,643,921). Should this article be defeated, the default budget shall be Ten Million, Four Hundred Fifty-Two Thousand, Three Hundred Two Dollars ($10,452,302), which is the same as last year, with certain adjustments required by previous action of the Gilmanton School District, or by law, or the governing body may hold one special meeting, in accordance with RSA 40:13, X and XVI, to take up the issue of a revised operating budget only. Michael Hatch stated that he would offer a motion to amend the total budget amount downward by $45, due to the fact that the district will have two students less attending Gilford High School this coming year because they moved out of district. Business Administrator Christine Hayes stated that the default budget amount would also be amended downward because of the regular budget amount without the obligation. With the

4 Page tuition amount being decreased, it would also decrease the default budget inclusive of all of the obligatory expenses. Chairman Forst inquired as to the increase in the trust fund from $21,000 to $42,000 for a roof replacement. He indicated that it is an $18,000 increase from the total from last year. Christine Hayes stated that the roofs are old and are in need of replacement. Anne Kirby inquired if Article XI the special education fund has been used. Superintendent Fauci stated that the district has not had to use this fund so far. He stated that one out-of-district placement for a student in need of services may cost upwards of $100,000. He indicated that the district, as a safeguard, keeps the capital reserve funds in place in the event that the district gets a student moving in district who needs special education services, services that the district may not be able to accommodate, thereby having to place the student in an out-of-district placement. He indicated that the district had a student who had been placed in an out-of-district, in the past, that was costing upwards of $250,000 per year. Police Chief Matthew Currier presented the police department budget. He shared an overview of the line items that have increased. He distributed a breakdown of the average salaries of police chiefs in the area, and also compared his salary to that of the current fire chief s. He stated that the selectmen had recommended less of the salary that he had proposed at $74, The selectmen are proposing $69, Chief Currier stated that he had met in non-public session with the selectmen and Paul Branscombe when he requested his salary. (It was noted that Selectman Jean was not present at this meeting.) Mr. Branscombe stated that the selectmen had decided not to give him a two-step increase on year two in the chief position. They are recommending one-step each year. Anne Kirby asked if the Budget Committee governs the employees salaries or the selectmen do? Chairman Forst stated that the committee does not govern salaries, but it is their job to understand why the selectmen recommend what they do and then the Budget Committee votes on a bottom line. Mr. Forst stated that the committee has asked, in the past to hear the department heads budget requests and that is what Chief Currier is presenting at this moment. Chief Currier stated that the administrative assistant salary had been increased after a wage study had been completed. He stated that he is proposing a step increase for all of his staff. Chief Currier stated that the part time line item has been increased from $4,300 to $6,000. The detail amount is the same. He stated that the overtime line item has been increased to $8,000. This line item was over-expended this current year because two officers had resigned and the department needed to cover those hours until two other officers were hired and trained. Chairman Forst inquired as to the increase in the lease/rental contract. Chief Currier stated that there was a one-time fee that had been paid. The equipment line item had increased due to purchasing two bullet-proof vests and other equipment for the new officers.

5 Page Anne Kirby inquired as to whether the gasoline charges are outstanding as of this date? Chief Currier stated that they are still awaiting the bills for payment. Mark Sawyer inquired as to the increase in vehicle repair? Chief Currier stated that the vehicles need to be maintained on a regular basis. Chairman Forst brought up the Revolving Police Detail warrant article adopted in March of He stated that this fund has not been set up yet. Mr. Bakos stated that there has not been an 02 account set up yet, as Ms. Paquette recommended at last week s meeting. The town needs to know what the revenue is and that the actual costs of detail would have to be known in order to properly charge the account. Mr. Bakos stated that this fund acts like a revolving credit. Ms. Paquette stated that there is not budget to expend monies for detail and that there needs to be an accounting of revenues each month. The revolving is on an accrued basis. Mr. Bean stated that RSA 31:95-h does not allow returning the funds back to the general fund. Ms. Paquette and Mr. Bakos stated that article 23 is set up and specifies that the surplus would be returned to the general fund each year. Michael Jean stated that the selectmen and the chief had agreed on the increase in detail charge to include the usage of the cruiser. Mr. Bakos inquired as to whether or not the billing rate is enough to cover all of the costs of a detail shift, plus the related overhead, eg, health insurance, cruiser, gas, etc? He wants assurance that the detail rate more than covers the costs. He would like to see a detail breakdown in the total costs of detail. Chairman Forst inquired as to billing out workers compensation during the detail work? Ms. Paquette stated that there is little impact on the formula. She stated that workers compensation gets paid whether or not they are working or not. It is part of their salary. Mr. Bedard asked what the current rate is for workers compensation for police? Ms. Paquette stated that the police and fire are the highest based on the claims history. Chairman Forst asked Chief Currier if he had any proposed warrant articles. Chief Currier stated that he was proposing the purchase of a new cruiser at a cost of $42, Mr. Bakos asked if the cost was all inclusive of outfitting the vehicle and Chief Currier indicated that the cost would cover the purchase and outfitting of the cruiser. Town Clerk/Tax Collector Elections/Registrations Debra Cornett stated that there are monies to fund one deliberative session and one marked election and monies to fund an additional election, if needed. There is a decrease in this portion of the as there are not going to be as many elections that will need to be funded in 2017 as there were in 2016.

6 Page Town Clerk/Tax Collector Ms.Cornett stated that her proposed budget has unknowns as she will be looking for a new deputy town clerk/tax collector as Ms. Russell will be resigning her position. She stated that she does not know if the new hire will need health/dental insurance and what plan they may elect, which would impact her budget. The training line item will be increased due to training needed for this new position. Document restoration continues to be funded in the budget as this is an ongoing project. Most of the remaining line items are being level funded. Mr. Bakos brought up the difference, to Ms. Pauqette, with the funds reported on the 434 form and the fact that there are no actual revenues anticipated as of this date. Brenda Paquette stated that some of the other miscellaneous revenues from the flood damage reimbursement that will be placed in this line item. She stated that $131, will be booked on the trial balance from last year. Brian Forst expressed concern at the fact that there are not anticipated revenues in 2017 as of this date. Members of the budget committee stated that they will need to know what the amount of the anticipated revenues are when they recommend their budget to let the taxpayers know what to estimate for a tax rate in 2017 depending on what is voted in during the March elections. Mr. Forst stated that the selectmen need to get a handle on this issue before the public hearing. Mr. Forst stated that the taxpayers will need to know what they are voting for and that this all needs to be disclosed at the public hearing. Mr. Bean stated that the estimated impact is based on the figures that the budget committee should have before them in order to compute the estimated tax rate for General Government Buildings There is an increase in this portion of the budget. In the past, two sides of the Academy building have been painted. Ms. Paquette stated that the 2016 appropriation to fund the painting of two sides of the Academy building will be encumbered due to the fact that the monies were not used up in 2016 as the sides of the building were not painted. The selectmen are proposing funding for all four sides of the building to be painted in Mr. Bakos inquired as to why the building needs to be painted so often. Mr. Bedard stated that, if the building is property prepared and is painted in high quality paint, then this project would last several years. He stated that it was more cost effective to paint the entire building than to paint one or two sides per year as the cost of labor and materials increases every year. Mr. Branscombe stated that John Thompson had received the bid. Mr. Bakos asked if this project could be held until next year? Mr. Bedard stated that it is more cost effective to complete paining the entire building in one year and that he knew that Mr. Thompson would do an excellent job and that the building should be in good shape for several years. Ms. Paquette stated that the bid includes $5, to replace some of the rotten clapboards. Planning Board There is an increase in professional consultant costs for this coming year. She stated that the consultant has not completed the work yet. Mr. Bakos stated that he had attended the Planning Board meeting at which the consultant indicated that the work would be completed in 2016.

7 Page Discussion ensured on the reasoning of adding a legal line to fund. Mr. Bedard and Mr. Forst inquired as to why the planning board cannot use the non-capital reserve fund set up for legal expenses. Ms. Paquette stated that the anticipated $1,000 legal funding was as a result of the town s counsel not being able to represent the planning board. The board had to hire another firm. She stated that this is an ongoing case with the planning board Mr. Branscombe stated that he had recommended another attorney. Mr. Forst stated that the town has adequate funding under their legal line item to fund this. He stated that the non-capital reserve for legal expenses has $34, in it. He recommended that the selectmen look into this funding. Mr. Branscombe stated that the selectmen are the agents to expend this non-capital reserve fund. Meeting Minutes of November 30, 2016 On a motion made by Stan Bean, seconded by Mark Sawyer, the budget committee unanimously approved the meeting minutes of November 30, 2016 as presented. Meeting Minutes of December 7, 2016 Stan Bean and Anne Kirby offered amendments to the drafted minutes of December 7, 2016 and the amendments were duly noted by this recording clerk. On a motion made by Stan Bean, seconded by Anne Kirby, the budget committee approved the minutes of December 7, 2016 as amended. Other Business Joanne Melle inquired as to whether or not the committee would get an anticipated revenues sheet prior to the January 4, 2017 public hearing on the town budget? Ms. Paquette stated that she was working on this project. Mr. Forst stated that the committee could meet at 5:30 p.m. to review the anticipated revenues sheet prior to the public hearing scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Adjournment On a motion made by Michael Hatch, seconded by Michael Jean, members of the budget committee unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Rachel Hatch, Recording Clerk