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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 04/09/1981BUDGET HEARING APRIL 9, 1981 The South Burlington City Council and School Boards presented the city and school budgets on Thursday, April 9, 1981 at 7:30 pm in the South Burlington High School Multi-Purpose Chorus Room, 550 Dorset Street. Members Present Council - Michael Flaherty, Vice Chairman; Martin Paulsen, William Burgees, John Towne, Board - Marilyn Meyer, Clerk; David Gravell, Charles Hill, Dennis Snyder Members Absent Council Chairman Paul Farrar and Board Chairman David Miller Others Present William Szymanski, City Manager; Fred Tuttle, School Superintendent; Gloria Yandow, Betty Bailey, James Goddette, Don Whitten, Margaret Picard, Brian Searles, Leo Brown, Ethel & William Schuele, Ray Unsworth, Michael Kaufman, Bruce O'Neill, Jean & WW Stone, Paul Jordan, Brad Don, Gina Schwartz, Kevin Flaherty, Robert Turmel, Frank Caruccio, Mark Kennedy, Ruth Poger, The Other Paper; Mike Malone Mr. Flaherty noted that Chairman Farrar was not able to be present tonight. He stated that the grand list figure used for 1981-82 was $1,960,000. The maximum allowable city tax rate is $.911 and this is a 5% increase over last year. Debt service will increase this year, due to the new City Hall expense. Mr. Flaherty noted that over the past 10 years the city rate had increased an average of 3.45% per year. Mr. Flaherty then went through the budget. He said that salaries would increase 9.5%. The fire department will rebuild a truck body for $30,000. The police department will hire another person and a half. The highway department shows funds for maintenance and repair of the streets. Mr. Flaherty explained what items would be on the ballot this year. First there will be the revenue sharing items. Another question will be whether or not to repeal the inventory tax. The Council wants to do this over a 10 year period, with a cap on it. It is felt that the tax is not fair and does not reflect an ability to pay. Mr. Paulsen added that there would be a public information sheet on the tax and also a hearing on it. Another item on the ballot will be whether South Burlington wants to remain part of the CCTA or not. In the past few years the costs have escalated dramatically. This item will be an advisory opinion from the citizens. The fourth item is to make the CCTA cost a debt service and take it out of the operating budget. Finally, there will be a ballot item asking voters whether they favor a nuclear freeze. The CCTA and the inventory tax were discussed briefly. The school then presented its budget. Ms. Meyer noted that the schools, like everyone, were having financial problems. They want to maintain quality education and they hope for support from the voters. Mr. Tuttle said the school had used the same grand list figure as the city had, but that their operating budget would exceed the allowable, and they plan to present a ballot item to the community. State Aid continues to decrease. The maximum allowable tax rate is $2.819 and the school plans to ask for $2.911. Mr. Tuttle said the overall increase in the budget is 9.71%. Mr. Tuttle distributed information on the effect of a positive vote on the ballot on homeowners. The information also contained a contingency list in case of a negative vote. Mr. Tuttle said the increases were mostly in the area of salaries. There are no new programs in the budget this year. There are five fewer positions. Two vehicles will be replaced and some roof work done. Mr. Tuttle said he appreciated the cooperation between the schools and city recreation department. There are funds for improvements to the Orchard School hearing system. Other budget increases besides salaries are social security, insurance, unemployment, utility costs, etc. Mr. Tuttle said the schools would be evaluating continuing to operate 3 schools, but no decisions had yet been made on whether or not to eliminate one of these elementary school buildings. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.