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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 04/11/1985PUBLIC HEARING 11 April 1985 A Public Hearing on the 1985-1986 City Budget was held on Thursday, 11 April 1985, in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street. Those Present City Council: Michael Flaherty, acting chairman; Leona Lansing, George Mona School Board: Bernadine Collins, Chairman; Dennis Snyder, Ted Manazir, Bruce MacPherson; Frederick Tuttle, Superintendent of Schools Others William Szymanski, City Manager; Margaret Picard, City Clerk/Treasurer; Gloria Yandow, City Bookkeeper; Bruce O'Neill, Recreation Director; Ethel Schuele, Library Board of Trustees; Leo Brown, School District; Lawrence LeCours, School District; Jim Cheng, Burlington Free Press; Sidney Poger, The Other paper; John Dinklage, Kay Neubert, Ernest Levesque, Jr., Edward Merrill, Betty Merrill, Robert Brueckner, A. R. Quintiliari, Silas & Emma Hopper, Barbara Bull, Vincent Maietta, Mrs. Robert Woodbury, Hugh Marvin, Robert Methot, Hal Bensen, Fred Maher, Rick Marcotte, Robert DiFernando, Marilyn Dunn, Anne Browne, Mark Kenny, Monica Smith Mr. Szymanski presented the City budget. He said that the total city operating budget for 1985-86 will be $3,134,412. This includes $1,292,527 for City Government, $1,003, 325 for the police, and $838,660 for highways. The budget for pollution control is $352,560, which is paid for in user fees. Mr. Szymanski explained that charter limits dictate the budget cannot increase more than 10% in a year and that the tax rate cannot be increased any more than the increase in the Grand List with a maximum of 5%. The 1985-86 estimated Grand List is $2,356,536 (based on the 1971 appraisal). Last year's was $2,265,900, which means a 4% increase. This results in a maximum operating tax rate of $1.081 and a maximum amount raised by taxes of $2,547,415. Last year's operating budget was $2,849,465. A 10% increase maximum would result in a maximum operating budget for 1985-86 of $3,134,412. In addition to the operating budget there are transfer items such as license fees which are collected and transferred to the state and also some recreation fees. Added to the budget this results in a total budget of $3,650,733. Income not raised by taxes includes $311,292 from general government, $53,470 from the police and $229,660 from highways. Water Pollution Control will raise $352,560, the same as its budget. These figures include some revenue sharing. The difference in income and the budget to be raised is $2,547,415, resulting in a tax rate of 1.081. Income to be raised for other entities (including the County Courthouse, CCTA, etc) is $156,366 for a tax rate of $.066, and a total tax rate of $1.147. The bonded debt total is $543,563 which includes bonds for the original fire station, City Hall, highways, water pollution sewer work, and the City's share of CCTA and the County Courthouse. This results in a tax rate of 153 for a total tax rate of $1.30. Last year's rate was 1.284 which means a 016 increase. Mr. Szymanski then explained various line items in the City Budget. A $30,000 item in the Council budget has been included for possible additional personnel either in City Hall or the Police Dept. Mr. Szymanski said he would also like to see that money spent for putting utilities underground at Gaynes or for sidewalks on the south side of Williston Road or extending the bike path of Spear Street or for landfill improvement. He noted that the budget reflects a 4% increase in salaries in all departments. An item of $17,125 covers the meetings secretary and also personnel to prepare an official city map and to map and lay out the cemetery. Ambulance service, provided by Burlington will increase in cost as the current contract expires this year. A firm figure is not yet negotiated. An additional voting machine will be purchased for back-up. Mr. Szymanski noted that liability insurance has increased by 29%, which is spread throughout the budget. The fire department budget shows $8,660 plus $5,000 from revenue sharing for purchase of hoses, Scott breathing aparatus, upgrading breathing compressor and required testing of equipment. The Library budget reflects a change in salaries for assistants for evening and off-hours, and also the purchase of books. The recreation budget reflects a slight increase in fall & winter program supplies. The tennis courts behind the high school and the basketball courts at JC Park and Orchard School will be upgraded, $4,000 has been allocated for repair of the roof at the O'Brien Center and for work on modifying the building for handicapped access. $500 has been budgeted for play area equipment at Queen City Park. The Natural Resources Committee has been allocated $200 to improve Red Rocks Park trails. Liability insurance for the Police Department has risen from $29,405 to $37,340. The Highway budget includes money to repave Cheese Factory Rd, to reconstruct Mary Street, and to redo the Shunpike Rd. bridge. Part of this will be paid by the State and by the town of Williston. Curbs & sidewalks on Hinesburg Rd. will be completed to Kennedy Drive. It is expected this will be finished this year. $27,500 has been budgeted to improve Shunpike Rd. The section between the bridge and Kimball Avenue will be done. There will also be more leveling on Williston Rd. The Water Pollution budget reflects an additional person to operate sewer plants and sewer lift stations. The fees paid to Burlington for the Proctor Avenue section of sewers that go into Burlington is up from $11,000 to $15,400. A portion of revenue sharing money will have to be voted on. This amounts to $42,828. Mr. Szymanski noted that this money may dry up soon. The capital budget program is basically the same as last year. Ms. Neubert raised the question of leveling only part of a lane on Williston Rd. Mr. Dinklage asked about drainage problems on a number of streets, especially Victoria Drive. Mr. Szymanski said that is in the budget. $500,000 has been approved for street repair, but only $100,000 can be spent per year. Mr. Marvin asked why an Assistant City Manager has not been hired when the Council decided to begin that process in July. Mr. Flaherty noted that the $30,000 which is in the budget is for additional help in City Hall and there has been discussion of what kind of help is needed. It is hoped there will be some direction in the next few weeks. Mr. Szymanski added that they had settled with the unions for 2% more than anticipated, and the money that had been budgeted for an Assistant City Manager was used to pay that additional 2%. Mr. Maietti felt that if the City Manager could do the job without an assistant, then the City should save the money. Mr. Dinklage referred to the long-term capital budget and asked why the acquisition of land for a recreation center can't be moved forward before there is no land to get. Mr. Flaherty replied that negotiations are underway for some land, but the city had been turned down by the state for funds. Mr. Marvin asked whether a past due bill of $6,000 had been paid. Mr. Flaherty said it is in the hands of lawyers. Mr. Szymanski said he had signed papers 2 weeks ago to take the matter to court. Ms. Bull asked if there has been any thought of paying the walkway between East Terrace and Spear Street which washes out every year. Mr. Szymanski said it is not in this budget but suggested that she make such a request for the next budget. Mr. Levesque noted the difference between planning and "crisis management." He noted there is a ray of hope on Dorset Street where there is a chance for the city to salvage part of the area for planning. He stressed it should be in the capital budget soon. Mr. Maher asked what the status of reappraisal is. Mr. Flaherty said the figures are not complete. At the moment it looks like a 250$ increase in residential property and a 230% increase in commercial. Mr. Marlette asked if new construction should affect taxes and Mr. Flaherty replied it should. A booklet is being prepared which will list every property in the city with both old and new appraisals. This should be ready in two to three weeks. Mr. Tuttle presented the School Budget. He began by highlighting some recent achievements including: 3 Orchard School children who won prizes in the safety contest; the choosing of Central School as a model President's Fitness school; victories in spelling contests by the 5th & 6th grade team and the middle school team: the nomination of Christen Seaman as a presidential scholar; the National Merit finalists; two #1 finalists in the honors writing competition; nomination of the high school for an onsite visit in the Secondary School Recognition Program. Current enrollment, in the district is 1,958 and projected enrollment for 1985-86 is 1,917. The low year for enrollment is projected to be 1990-91 with 1,786 pupils. Figures are evaluated annually in an attempt to anticipate the impact on programs. This is the second year of a two-year contract with teachers. Bargaining has begun with support staff, and negotiations are underway with administrative staff. The starting salary for 1984-85 is $15,065; for 1985-86 this will be $16,273, an increase of 8%. The maximum salary will be $35,375 in 1985-86. The average salary excluding administrative personnel will be $29,338. The average cost per pupil per year in the city for 1983-84 was $4,009. This compares to $4,060 in Essex Junction, $3,841 at CVU, $3,526 in Essex Town, $3,483 in Winooski, and $3,309 in Burlington. Adjustments in the budget will result in the reduction of 8.12 people: 1.2 at the elementary school, 2 at the middle school and 4.89 at the high school. These changes are subject to enrollment changes. The kindergarten program will, be increased in both time and staff. $60,000 has been budgeted for computer equipment and instruction staff. Special Ed mainstreaming is continuing at the high school. The phys ed position at Orchard School will return to full-time. Additional funds are being budgeted for the alcohol and drug program and for the reality therapy program. Funds have also been allocated for accreditation visitation. In 1984-85 there were 30 tuition students: 7 elementary, 1 middle school, and 22 high school. Current tuition is $3200 which will increase to $3500 in 1985-86. The School budget follows the same charter limitations as the City. The allowable operating tax rate is $3.446 which results in $8,120,623 allowable in taxes for the operating budget. The 1984 operating budget was $8,035,543. A maximum 10% increase would allow $8,839,097 for 1985-86. The total operating budget is $8,683,096 with $8,120,623 to be raised by taxes. Debt service is $346,503 with $268,755 to be raised by taxes for a rate of $0.114. The total to be raised from taxes is $8,389,378 for a total tax rate of $3.560. The total gross budget is $9,629,767. The budget increase is 7.24% with a tax rate increase of $0.099. Based on the 1971 assessment, a house appraised at $30,000 would pay $29.70 more in 1985- 86; a home appraised at $40,000 would pay $39.60 more. The budget for Vocational Ed has dropped $11,550 reflecting fewer students in the shared time programs at Essex Junction and at Burlington. A Guidance Counselor has been added 1 day at Orchard School. A half-time health position has been added at Orchard School. A significant increase has been made for psychological services, much of it covered by state funds for conducting evaluations of special ed students. Staff Development funds include effective teaching training, new evaluation system, drug and alcohol program, revision of elementary math and English programs, realith therapy (discipline) program, and computer literacy training (about half the staff is now considered "literate" in computers). A significant increase has been made in the elementary library budget. Supplies and equipment have been budgeted for audio-visual. The supplementary reserve fund, a category for one-time expenditures, includes money for the New England accreditation of the high school, computer software and hardware, and a new bus. Both telephone and energy costs have dropped and Mr. Tuttle-cited the cooperation of staff and students for the good condition of the buildings. A second replacement bus is budgeted under transportation. Seven of the buses operate with propane as does one special ed van. A serious effort is being made to reduce the deficit in the food service program. There is a decrease of $26,000 in the long-term debt. The short-term debt is 0. The final payment was made on the energy management bond for the middle school. The 10-year capital budget shows that the final payment on the middle school will be made in 1987-88; the final payment on the elementary school additions will be made in 1989-90; the high school addition will be paid for in 1996-97. Mr. Levesque noted that the projected middle school enrollment is 446 and felt that a school manager could run the school instead of an assistant principal. Mr. Tuttle said that continued demands for quality indicate that it takes resources to do a good job. Administration is needed for evaluation. Mr. Brook asked if positions will be opening up for the computer program. Mr. Tuttle said there would, and these would include 2 part-time and 1 full time. Mr. Levesque suggested that management positions could be covered without adding staff and felt that the district was too overburdened with administrative staff. Mr. Brook questioned the big jump in aide salaries. Mr. Tuttle said this reflects the change in the Kindergarten program to lengthen the day and for aides to assist in the programs. At the conclusion of the discussion, the meeting adjourned at 9:15 pm. Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.