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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 04/07/1994STEERING COMMITTEE-BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING 7 APRIL 1994 The South Burlington Steering Committee held a Public Hearing on the proposed 1994-95 Budget on Thursday, 7 April 1994, at 7:30 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street. Members Present City Council: Michael Flaherty, James Condos, William Cimonetti, Robert Chittenden; Charles Hafter, City Manager School Board: Dennis Snyder, Frank Murray, Theodore Manazir, Julie Duppstadt, Peter Coles; Bruce Chattman, Superintendent Also Present Peg Strait, Assistant City Manager; Margaret Picard, City Clerk/Treasurer; Bruce O'Neill, Recreation Dept; Lawrence Lecours, Marilyn Frederick, School District; Sid Poger, The Other Paper; Leo O'Brien, Debra Sachs, Pete Crevier, Valli & William Blanchard, Bruce Ladeau, Linus Leavens, Bob Hest, Ann Pugh, Darlene Worth, Scott Smith, Dave Maclaughlin, Hal Bensen, Claire Buckley, Scott Harrington, Agnes Clift, Dom Marabella 1. Review Minutes of meeting of 14 March 1994: Mr. Condos moved the Minutes of 14 March 1994 be approved as written. Mr. Manazir seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 2. Presentation of Proposed City and School District Budgets: a) City Budget: Mr. Hafter noted the tax rate for the city in the 1994­5 budget is proposed at .797 and for the school at 2.045. This results in a total of 2.842, a decrease of 1.8¢ from last year. For a home assessed at $100,000, this means a savings of $18.00. The average home in S. Burlington, assessed at $75,000. would pay $13.00 less in the coming year. The estimated Grand List is $7,050,000, showing no growth from last year. This means there cannot be an increase in the operating tax rate. Thus, the rate proposed for 1994-5 is .636, the same as 1993-4. Since 1990, the total tax increase has been 3.4%, an average of .0085%. During the same period the CPE has risen 12%. Mr. Hafter then presented the major highlights of the proposed budget: There will be a new playground at Jaycee Park Phase I of Dorset Park will be done and ready for use by late fall A "Tot Lot" will be built at Dorset Park (provided from a donation by the Kiwanis) A Vermont Youth Conservation Project will build walking paths on the Calkins property (area youth will be hired for this) The Fire Dept. will replace all Scott Air apparatus. They will also add $30,000 to the equipment fund. There will be an increased emphasis on fire prevention in the coming year. The Police Dept. will replace 2 cruisers. Successful programs such as DARE, Kids & Kops, CUSI (Combined Unit for investigation of sex crimes), Traffic Safety Officer. Mr. Hafter noted the S. Burlington Police Dept. is now the only accredited department in the state. This entitles them to a 10% reduction in Police Liability Insurance which will save the city considerable money. The Highway Dept. will replace some trucks. Work to be done this coming year includes: repaving Laurel Hill Dr. and Central Ave., rebuilding (including sidewalks and curbs) Brookwood and East Terrace; upgrading the Hinesburg Rd/Kennedy Dr. and Williston Rd. Kennedy Drive intersections to add right turn lanes at 3 approaches; upgrading Airport Parkway/Shamrock Rd. intersection; maintaining the excellent snow removal service (Mr. Hafter noted that over $125,000 was spend on snow removal this past year). There will be a 6.5% increase in sewer rates, but South Burlington still has the lowest rate in the County. Mr. Hafter said there will be a ballot item this year. The maintenance of city streets has fallen behind, and the Council looked at ways to catch up. Traditionally, a bond issue would be proposed which would result in tax payers having to pay a lot of interest charges. The city now proposes a 5-year program which would appropriate $250,000 per year from taxes. This money could be used only for specified road projects. No money would go toward interest on the debt. Roads to be done include Spear St., Swift St., Kennedy Drive. All sidewalk intersections will be ramped. Mr. Flaherty praised the City Manager and Department Heads for their efforts in keeping budgets within the tight constraints. Mr. Crevier noted the difference between the equalized tax rate and the actual tax rate for the city is the highest in the county. Mr. Hafter explained that the value of the city's appraisal is 65% of market value. This figure is higher in other communities. If other communities don't re-appraise, they can lose state aid to education. South Burlington doesn't get any state aid. Since re-appraisal is expensive, and there would be no gain from re-appraisal and no penalty for not doing it, the city has not re-appraised. Mr. Cimonetti noted the city is very slowly building a re-appraisal account and there will be a re-appraisal in a few years. Mr. Condos noted the city got one of the highest ratings for fiscal management during the recent Solid Waste District bonding process. Ms. Sachs asked if Spear St. will be widened. Mr. Hafter said no, but the shoulder will be paved for bike use. Mr. Bensen asked what the city gets for belonging to VLCT. Mr. Hafter said they save over $50,000 a year on health insurance. In addition, VLCT lobbies and provides information on legislative bills and also legal advice. Ms. Sachs asked if there is any provision for going after grants for planning, etc. Mr. Hafter said there is, and this is part of staff's work. He noted the city just got $147,000 for an affordable housing project. Ms. Clift asked if the pelletizing plant isn't from a grant. Mr. Hafter said the grant was to the Solid Waste District. The city get paid for a lease ($10,000) plus $55,000 per year in impact fees. b) School Budget: Supt. Chattman noted that the school tax rate will be 2.045, down .016 from last year. This is due to a decrease in bonded indebtedness. Revenues from taxes will be $14,417,522, or 85% of the total. The total budget is proposed at $16,905,489. Mr. Chattman then enumerated items that have been reduced or eliminated in the proposed budget: No Assistant Superintendent will be hired this year eliminated a central office secretary there will be a food service fund charge a bus will not be replaced standardized testing will be reduced an AV secretary will be eliminated At the High School: a custodian and secretary will be eliminated; . 4 FTE math/science teacher, .8 foreign language teacher, .1 music teacher, .2 art teacher, .3 practical arts teacher, .5 special educator will also be eliminated. .At the elementary schools, 1.5 FTE enrichment teachers will be eliminated. The money for this ($48,000) has been placed in escrow and could be used for the enrichment teacher if it is decided to buy one new bus. This will be determined at the next School Board meeting). Supt. Chattman said that generally classes of less than 14 students will not be offered. On the positive side, there may be more tuition students next year, and if this happens, some of what has been cut out may be reinstated. Supt. Chattman noted that schools are a "people business." 85% of the budget is personnel. It is thus very hard to make reduction decisions that do not impact on programs for children. Only $827,396 in supplies goes into the classroom while operational supplies (maintenance, gasoline, etc) cost $1,340,542. Mr. Chittenden asked if more computers will be purchased and if computer study is a requirement. Supt. Chattman said all students must be computer literate, but the schools are nowhere near where they should be in technology. A few computers will be added next year from grant money. Mr. Cimonetti asked the impact of foreign language reduction. Mr. Chattman said 2 French classes, 1 Latin and 1 Spanish class will be reduced. No child will be denied the chance to take these languages. Ms. Hallowell asked if tools other than standardized tests will be used to evaluate students. Supt. Chattman said the schools are involved in the state portfolio system and also the New American School assessment programs. Mr. Crevier asked the effect of the shrinking budget on the ability of the schools to provide quality education. Mr. Chattman said class sizes will be higher. He stressed that things cannot continue this way. Ms. Duppstadt noted there are many things that should be added that cannot be. Supt. Chattman said these include: elementary foreign language, a computer/technology coordinator, an Assistant Superintendent, additional teachers to keep class sizes down, more support for CASA and the Family Center. He added that a lot is being done to improve education: block scheduling, team teaching, etc. Mr. Crevier noted that if he had a child in school he might look at the no tax increase situation much differently. Supt. Chattman said the decisions were made by the Board. Given the hardships and the reality of the times, and the fact that the community supported an education ballot item last year, they felt we could maintain the quality of education and give people a chance to get back on their feet. Supt. Chattman said one thing that is much needed is a "rainy day fund" for emergencies such as a roof that is leaking right now. Mr. Smith asked if the schools could accommodate an unexpected increase in the number of students. Supt. Chattman said this would result in class sizes going from 19-21 to 22-24. This will be monitored very closely. Ms. Frederick said there will be a ballot item this year but it will not result in additional cost to taxpayers. This will be for a lighting and energy conservation project. Magnetic ballasts and T-12 bulbs will be removed and replaced with electronic ballasts and T-8 bulbs. This means less expense for better lighting and should result in a savings of $26,000 a year. Funding is coming from a Green Mountain Power incentive and 30% state aid. Mr. Hest said he felt Supt. Chattman and his team should be applauded for their efforts to maintain high quality education in these difficult times. A citizen asked about the impact of proposed legislation on property tax reform. Supt. Chattman said it wouldn't impact next year's budget but would impact future budgets. Mr. Cimonetti noted that S. Burlington is considered a "gold town" (wealthy) and thus any legislation would result in at least the same costs and probably more in the future. S. Burlington can't come out a winner in this process. Ms. Hallowell said that whatever they come up with, there has to be some predictability about what a community gets. Ms. Clift said there has to come a time when program concerns outweigh money concerns. Mr. Condos said there is a proud tradition of education in S. Burlington and this is the major reason so many people move to the city. Mr. Crevier asked the status of negotiations. Mr. Manazir said they haven't yet settled but have agreed to seek professional assistance. Supt. Chattman said he would be happy to discuss the budget with anyone who has further questions. Following the presentation of the budgets, Mr. Murray asked members and audience to recognize Larry Lecours who is retiring from the school district after 25 years of service. As there was no further business to come before the Steering Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.