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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 04/07/1983BUDGET HEARING APRIL 7, 1983 The South Burlington City Council and School Board presented their budgets at a meeting on Thursday, April 7, 1983, at 7:30 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street. Members Present City Council: Paul Farrar, Chairman; Michael Flaherty, Leona Lansing. (Members Absent: William Burgess & Hugh Marvin) School Board: H. Charles Hill, Chairman; Theodore Manazir, Bernadine Collins, Bruce R. MacPherson, Dennis Snyder Others Present William Szymanski, City Manager; David Minnich, Assistant City Manager; Fred Tuttle, Superintendent of Schools; Leo P. Brown, Lawrence E. LeCours; Margaret A. Picard, City Clerk; Richard Carter, Police Chief; Bruce O'Neill, Recreation Director; James W. Goddette, Sr., Fire Chief; Anne B. Browne, George Bosworth, W. W. Stone, Bruce R. Lesleon, Ethel M. Schuele, Marilyn Dunn, Mark Kennedy, Robert DiFerdinando, Monica J. Smith, Mary Anne Murray, Margaret Ann Case, F. Duncan Case, Dorothea Sims, Ralph Goodrich, Lowell Krassner, Betty H. Bailey, Joy L. Beck, T. Chastenay; Pat Burgmeier, The Other Paper Presentation of City Budget Mr. Farrar explained that the Charter limits the operating budget to no more than a 10% increase over the previous year and no more than a 5% tax rate increase over the previous year. He said that the estimated grand list increased by 4.9%which was the figure used as a cap by both the City and the School District. In this year's budget, the total for General Government, Police and Highway is $2,590,423. Transfer items, in which the City receives money and then turns it over, amount to $5,200, for a total of $2,595,623. The City expects income this year in the amount of $461,400, which leaves $2,134,223 to be raised by taxes, for a tax rate of .989. The Water Pollution Control budget amounts to $304,410 with an estimated income of the same amount. Their bonded debt of $241,994 produces a .112% tax rate. The General Government bonded debt of $232.884 produces a tax rate of .108. Mr. Farrar explained that last year certain other entities were split from the City Charter limitations. These include the Chittenden County Transportation Authority, County Courthouse (which the City is required by law to support), the Winooski Valley Park District, and a few others. The total budget for these other entities is $132,083 with a bonded debt of $22,265, for a tax rate of .072. The grand total budget is thus $3,032,116, with income of $765,810, leaving $2,266,306 to be raised by taxes. With a bonded debt of $497,143, the total tax rate is 1.281%. Mr. Farrar then reviewed line items in the budget. A citizen questioned the total amount paid into pension plans and asked whether this was a contributory plan. Mr. Farrar said the City pays the total amount but does have an arrangement whereby it will collect and make payments to individual IRA accounts to which only the individual contributes. Mr. Szymanski estimated the total pension payment to be $113,000. Mr. Farrar said the pension fund is managed by Connecticut General Insurance Corporation. Concerning appraisal, Mr. Farrar noted that the City is now undergoing a complete reappraisal and indicated that the assessor, Mr. Underwood, and his staff have been doing an excellent job. Appraisals should be complete by next April, and the cost is being funded over a two-year period. He noted that the new figures will be put into the computer system and will thus be kept current, as required by State law. Every piece of property will be looked at every 10 years in the future. A citizen questioned the percent of taxes borne by businesses. Mr. Farrar said it was about 60% now. He noted that ten years ago the figure was about 35%, but rezoning had made additional land available for commercial use. He estimated that the share of the budget borne by business was equivalent to the total City Government budget and approximately 1/3 of the School budget. Regarding the Fire Department budget, Mr. Farrar noted that a ladder truck and a pumper truck had been purchased from the City of New York and had been refurbished by the City Fire Department. The truck is now in service and the pumper is expected to be serviceable soon. He expressed gratitude on behalf of the City to the firefighters who gave their time and effort to these projects. In answer to question about ambulance service, Mr. Farrar explained that the City pays Burlington $12,000 per year, about half of which is covered by fees to users. Concerning the Highway Budget, Mr. Farrar said this is the biggest area of need. He explained that two Williston Rd. projects and the Dorset Street project have been put into the State plan. A bond issue will appear on this year's ballot for the City's share of these projects. It had been estimated that this share would be 10%; however, the federal government is allowing the governor to designate areas in the State where there will be a 5% match (3% State and 2% local). Hopefully, the City will be paying only $70,000 of the total financing of the three road projects. It is expected that the first part of Williston Road will begin next year with Dorset Street in 1985-86 and the second part of Williston Road in 1987. Mr. Bosworth questioned the allocation of money for sidewalks, noting that Hinesburg Road between Sunset and Kennedy Drive is an area of great need. Mr. Farrar explained that there are a number of places that need sidewalks. Kirby Road and Hanover Street were listed as top priorities because of the number of children walking to school under dangerous conditions. He said that it was hoped the other areas could be done in the near future. He noted that the Hinesburg Road area is #4 on the priority list. A citizen asked whether contributions were required from commercial ventures on Dorset Street for road work. Mr. Farrar explained that some required payments will come from businesses on Dorset Street. With regard to Williston Road, the City has required as a condition for approval that land be deeded to the City for road expansion. However, this cannot be used as a substitute for the City's required contribution to the project. A question was raised as to the amount of money that businesses might contribute to the City's share. Mr. Farrar said that with luck, the business contribution could cover it all. A citizen asked whether the State could be asked to re-assume responsibility for Williston Road since the Interstate has now been built. Mr. Farrar said there was not chance of this and that in fact, the State would like the City to assume responsibility for Shelburne Road, Hinesburg Road, and the rest of Williston Road. He noted that as communities grow, they wind up assuming responsibility for things the State used to provide for, but on the other hand, they are entitled to financing that other areas do not get. The question was raised as to how the City appeals for State funds. Mr. Farrar explained that the Council meets from time to time with its legislators, and thus makes its concerns known. If there is a reason for a Council representative to testify in Montpelier, this can also be done. He added that on the whole the city has gotten a reasonably rational hearing in Montpelier. Mr. Krasner asked whether the City has control over the use of tandem trailer trucks on Williston Road. Mr. Farrar said it would make an interesting legal case, if federal funds were used on that road. He noted that Williston Road is not now designated for such use; only the Interstate and Route 7 have been so designated. Presentation of School Budget Mr. Tuttle introduced the members of the School Board and noted the harmonious working relationship that exists between the City and the School District. Mr. Tuttle indicated that the same 4.9% figure had been used as the estimated increase in the grand list. The total revenue needed to support operations is $7,319,279. Estimated income amounts to $510,394, leaving $6,808,885 to be raised from taxes. Bonded and short term debts amount to $393,205 and $93,868 respectively, with incomes of $78,200 and 13,967 respectively with a resulting $79,901 to be raised from taxes. This results in a total to be raised from taxes of $7,203,791 and a total tax rate of $3.338. Mr. Tuttle explained that line items were based on an estimate of 1,904 pupils, which is 103 fewer than the past year. He noted that this will result in 8 1/2 fewer positions. He also noted that the budget contains a contingency amount since the teachers contract has not yet been negotiated. Mr. Krassner asked how many administrative personnel there are now and whether this has changed to reflect the decrease in enrollment. Mr. Tuttle said there are 10 administrators (principals, assistant principals, superintendent, assistant superintendent, and business manager) and this number has remained pretty much the same. Mr. Krassner asked what was the highest enrollment, and Mr. Tuttle estimated 2,800. Mr. Krassner then asked what was the percentage in decline in the number of teachers, and Mr. Tuttle said he did not have that figure. He noted that they had tried to decrease class size or at least maintain it, so that while the number of teachers had gone down, class sizes had not increased. Mr. Tuttle then reviewed line items, noting that the school is having to assume responsibility for what the federal government is no longer supporting. Regarding the Supplementary Request Reserve Fund, Mr. Tuttle explained that this category included items over and above the level funding concept. These are considered to be one-time expenditures, and include a new series of reading materials, computer hardware and software, word processing equipment, purchase of a maintenance van, and salary for a design teacher. The question was raised as to the nature of long-term debts. Mr. Tuttle explained these were totally for school construction, the biggest part of which is the bond for the high school. He noted that the total debt outstanding is approximately $3,500,000. A citizen questioned the origin of tuition students and the criteria for accepting them. Mr. Tuttle responded that most come from the Islands, St. George and Essex town, where there is no high school available. Applications are submitted and decisions are made on an individual basis. Preference is given to areas where no high school is provided by the community. As there were no further questions or comments, the meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.