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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 04/09/1992STEERING COMMITTEE 9 APRIL 1992 The South Burlington Steering Committee held a meeting on Thursday, 9 April 1992, at 7:30 PM, in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street. Members Present City Council: Michael Flaherty, James Condos, John Dinklage, William Cimonetti; Charles Hafter, City Manager School Board: Dennis Snyder, Julie Duppstadt, Theodore Manazir, Karen Shilgalis, Peter Cole Also Present Peg Strait, Asst, City Manager; Leo Brown, Lawrence LeCours, School District; Margaret Picard, City Clerk/Treasurer; Bruce O'Neill, Recreation Department; Sid Poger, The Other Paper; Francis Murray, Jim Leddy, Andy Price, Barbara Tibbits 1. Presentation of Proposed City Budget and Questions from Public: Mr. Hafter reviewed Charter limitations. The estimated Grand List is $6,981,000, which represents a 1% increase over last year. Mr. Hafter noted this is very low for South Burlington. Since the maximum increase in operating tax rate can be only the same as the Grand list increase (up to 5%), the maximum tax increase this year can be 1%. The current operating tax rate is .63, and there will be no increase in the coming year. The maximum operating budget can increase only a maximum of 10%. Last year's operating budget was $5,376,000. This year's proposed operating budget is $5,351,000, a reduction of .05%. The maximum amount that could be raised by taxes for the operating budget is $4,474,000. The actual amount to be raised by taxes for the operating budget is $4,392,000. The grand total of the budget is $6,477,000, of which $4,631,000 will be raised by taxes. Mr. Hafter said he felt the City Charter is working as a limitation on tax increases. There can't be the sudden jump that other communities experience as taxes can never increase more than 5%. The bonded debt is up 12.5% based on projects approved by the voters. These include Dorset Street, the Recreation Path, and interest on the Calkins' property purchase. Some surplus funds have been transferred to offset this bonded debt a little, and the actual increase will be only 10.8%. The total tax rate is .773, up 1% from last year. On a home appraised at $100,000, the tax increase will be $8.00 for the year. Mr. Hafter then gave a summary of the budget by department. City Council/Planning Commission/Zoning Board: There will be no increases in reimbursement for members. Recreation Dept.: Projects for the year include rebuilding basketball courts at JC Park, relocation of picnic shelter closer to general play areas. It was noted that money was saved on this year's projects as some of the work was done by the Highway Dept. Fire Dept.: All jackets, pants, face masks, etc., will be replaced this year and brought up to code requirements. Police Dept.: All programs will be maintained. Mr. Hafter noted that the DARE Program is getting national recognition. Four vehicles will be replaced. Highway Dept.: Two new dump trucks will be purchased. Work will be completed on Dorset Street South, Ethan Allen Drive, Farrell St. sidewalk. The Airport Parkway/Shamrock Rd./Ethan Allen Dr. intersection will be upgraded. The connection at Hinesburg Rd./Corporate Way may be opened. The Hinesburg Rd./Kennedy Drive intersection will be widened and there will be three (3) approaches in every direction. The Legislature has put money in the transportation bill for design of the northbound on-ramp to I-89 at Kennedy Drive/Dorset St. This should relieve traffic at Williston Rd. Landfill: There is a decrease in revenue anticipated. It is not known how long the landfill will be in operation. The city will have $550,000 in escrow to close the landfill. The actual cost is estimated at $900,000. There is a bond item for $400,000, but it is hoped the city can get an extension to keep the landfill open so it won't be necessary to bond. Water Pollution Control Dept.: The biggest budget increase occurs here, from $718,000 to $786,000. This is due to costs associated with sludge disposal and debt service for work on sewers and lines which was previously paid through the property taxes. The sewer rate will be increased 15%, more than half of which will go toward paying the bonded debt. Mr. Hafter noted S. Burlington has the second lowest rate in the County, even with the proposed increase. Ten Year Capital Budget Plan: Two (2) new projects have been added: acquisition of land for Dorset St. Park and Recreation Center Phase I. The City Council has decided to drop the Southern Connector from the ten year plan. Other projects included in the plan are: Williston Rd. widening, general highway projects, general construction on Hinesburg Rd. and Kennedy Drive, park development, expansion of the municipal building, a public works building, and the new Lime Kiln Bridge. Mr. Flaherty thanked Mr. Hafter and all Department Heads for their efforts to control spending. Mr. Cimonetti provided a brief update of legislative activity: Regarding the landfill, the current law says that all unlined landfills must close by 1 July 1992. A bill passed in the House last week and now pending in the Senate would allow extensions. It is likely that S. Burlington would get an extension at least until the end of the year. In the transportation bill passed by the House and pending in the Senate, there is an item for the I-89 on-ramp. Mr. Cimonetti felt it will be passed by the Senate but noted there will be quite a long time for design and construction to be completed. The city is urging the Agency of Transportation to try to get the project tied into the Dorset Street work, but there is no hope for that yet. Mr. Murray raised the question of new transportation money coming into the state that is said to be "more than can be spent." He asked if any of that money could be used to fund projects in the city's highway budget. Mr. Hafter said three (3) projects have been proposed to the state but the city hasn't been very encouraged by the Agency of Transportation. Mr. Dinklage added that the MPO is working very intensely with the State to find ways for the State to let projects proceed with specs drawn up by non-State sources. Mr. Cimonetti said there are two (2) things happening that will affect municipalities: There is a $6,000,000 decrease in State aid to education. There is a counter proposal to take $6,000,000 of state transportation funds and give it to education and use federal money for the transportation projects. There is also a proposal to increase by $2,000,000 money to all municipalities for highway projects at the town level. Mr. Leddy complimented the city on the readability of the budget. He noted that the city is becoming a participant in regional projects and felt it is very difficult to participate directly in these activities and to understand what is happening. He felt the Recreation Dept. is doing a great job for kids as is the DARE program. He noted there had been talk of the city not supporting social services and said he hoped this would not happen. He, Mr. Leddy, didn't like the idea of subsidizing people who don't take city health insurance. He felt it just shifts the problem. He felt the entire insurance situation is out of control. 2. Presentation of School District Budget: Mr. LeCours began the presentation by noting that Supt. Tuttle has worked with the Board on the budget. The budget falls within Charter limitation and includes a .98% increase. It is anticipated that next year the voters will have to be asked to approve a budget that exceeds Charter limitations. Major issues facing the schools are; the very small increase in the Grand List and the drastic decline in State aid. Last year the schools got $379,000 in aid. This year's projection is for only $81,000. This represents only .05% of the total budget. Notice of this decrease came very late, after the budget had already been planned. Mr. LeCours noted that on 19 March the Steering Committee directed that a resolution be sent to all representatives and to the Legislature. Mr. LeCours said he was asked to testify before the State Education Committee. There is now a bill proposed that would give the schools $30,000-$50,000 more in aid, but this is not yet approved. This year's enrollment is 2,049, and the projection for next year is 2,090. The bulk of the increase is at the elementary schools. Regarding contract negotiations, there is no significant progress to date with teachers. A settlement has been reached with support personnel. There is a 3- year contract with administrators. Tuition students continue to increase and 90 are projected for next year. This brings in more than $500,000. The average cost per pupil is rising. A 2.3% increase is projected for next year. This budget contains a 5% decrease in funds for supplies and equipment. It is based on a reduction of 4.5 staff members, mostly at the high school. There is also a reduction of $10,000 in the athletic budget. Mr. Lecours noted that a lot of good work is taking place in staff development. The Middle School will go to a total teaming approach, and the High School is being restructured with longer blocks of time. The public school approval process has been completed. The Middle School and Chamberlin School have full approval, and Orchard School should be approved soon. The High School has only some small building needs before their approval is complete. These will be deferred until 1993-4. A citizens' committee has been addressing long-range school needs. There are serious renovations needed at the elementary schools, and these will be more thoroughly considered this year. The High School has been recognized in Redbook Magazine as one of the outstanding high schools in the country. Chamberlin School has been nominated as an outstanding school. This year there are 6 National Merit Finalists, more than any other high school in the state. There are also two finalists for recognition as Presidential Scholars. Mr. LeCours also cited the success and excellence of the DARE Program. Mr. Brown then presented the details of the proposed budget. The same charter limitations apply, with a 1% maximum increase allowable. The tax rate will go up just under that 1% which represents a $23 increase for a home appraised at $100,000. There is a large increase in money allotted for technology (computers). There is also a large increase in the self-funded dental program. The Board is now looking into a self-funded health insurance program. Funds associated with restructuring will be used for teacher training. There is a large reduction in plant expenses as most of the work has been completed. Central and Orchard Schools will be converted to gas. The underground oil tanks at all elementary schools will be removed. The high school needs a gas-fired generator for emergency lighting. This will be paid for over two years. Equipment replacements include a tractor at the high school, a new maintenance vehicle, and replacement of two buses. The 10-year capital budget shows 5 payments remaining on the high school addition and two payments remaining on the energy conservation package. Bonds will be refinanced at a much lower rate (4.5%). Mr. Murray asked how the per pupil cost compares with other districts in the area. Mr. Brown said it falls in the high middle. Essex and CVU are higher. Mr. Murray then asked if it is known what percent of graduates actually graduate from college. Mr. LeCours said the last survey indicated that 50% of the 70% who go to college graduate. Mr. Murray said he had been told that after five (5) meetings with teachers there is still no demand from them for a salary figure. He felt this information should have been known before the budget was prepared. Mr. Manazir said the Board is proposing no "step" increases. Mr. Price noted that there is a 20% increase in health insurance that won't have to be spent. Mr. Brown acknowledged this is true. Mr. Price asked what specific staff positions are being cut. Mr. LeCours said these include: 2 sections of English at the high school, 4 sections of foreign language, 1 section of art, 3 sections of math, 1 of science, 3 of social studies, 1 phys ed. Due to the reduction in State Aid and the very late decision, either 2 sections of business ed, 3 sections of language arts, or 1 section of family living. An 80% math teacher at the Middle School will not be replaced and a Special Ed teacher has been reduced 25%. Also a music teacher is not being replaced. Mr. LeCours noted that instrumental music will begin in Grade 6 instead of Grade 5. A citizen asked that health insurance money not needed be cut from the budget or used to restore programs that have been cut. Ms. Tibbits said she felt it was drastic to cut 6th and 7th grade general music as there is an exemplary middle school music program. She also asked the specifics of the phys. ed. reductions. Mr. LeCours said these include fall and winter cheerleading, an assistant cross-country coach, some supplies, and game officials. A citizen asked what will be done with the additional $30,000-$50,000 if it is obtained from the state. Mr. LeCours said it will be used to be sure the budget is completely balanced at the end of the year and for emergency expenses during the year. As there was no further business to come before the Steering Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 9:35 PM. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.