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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 03/03/2014 (3)PRE-TOWN MEETING 3 MARCH 2014 The City of South Burlington held a pre-town meeting on Monday, 3 March 2014, at 7:00 p.m., at the Tuttle Middle School, Dorset Street. City Council Members Present: P. Mackenzie, Chair; H. Riehle, P. Nowak, C. Shaw School Board Members Present: E. Fitzgerald, M. Lalonde, D. Bugbee, J. Beatty, D. Fleming Also Present: K. Dorn, City Manager; T. Hubbard, Deputy City Manager; D. Kinville, City Clerk; J. Barloe, City Attorney; P. Conner, Director ofPlanning & Zoning; 1. Blanchard, City Manager's Office; T. , Goodwin, Recreation Director; J. Rabidoux, Public Works Director; ChiefT. Whipple, Police I;)epartment; ChiefD. Brent, Assistant ChiefT. Francis, Fire Department; J. Ladd, Human Resources; S. Dorey, Financial Officer; C. Ingalls, City Manager's Office; J. Stewart, School District; T. Harrington, M. Young, J. Kochman, A. Carpenter, E. Dates, M. Simoneau, P. Taylor, S. Dopp, A. Clift, P. Engels, T. Duff, M. Emery, other members ofthe public 1. Consent Agenda: a. Sign Disbursement Ms. Nowak moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Mr. Shaw seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 2. Public Informational Hearing on Public Questions and Budget Articles to be Voted upon by Australian Ballot, 17 V.S.A. Section2680(g): A: Reading of the Warning Articles: Ms. Mackenzie read the Warning Articles to be voted upon. B. Presentation of Proposed School Budget for FY2015: Ms. Fitzgerald introduced School Board members and School District Business Manager John Stewart to present the proposed FY2015 School Budget. Mr. Stewart said the total budget of$44,297,297.00 trims costs while preserving programs. The budget represents a 3.05% increase in the operating budget. The residential tax rate is increased by 1.6425 (up 8.27%). The state residential rate is up 7%. Mr. Stewart then outlined the efficiencies and cost reductions taken as part ofthe budget preparation as follows: reduction of2 teachers FTE reduction of 1.6 paraprofessionals and support positions reduction oftuition payments to Tech Centers reduction in supplies, field trips, etc. reduction in staff retirement plan reduction in IT budget reduction in Special Ed costs for outside contracted services adjustment in bus lease reduction in teacher contingency account Some investments made include: expansion ofthe laptop program to grade 12 funding for curriculum evaluation and implementation ofcommon core teachers at Middle School to help with common core continuation ofmentoring program replacement ofthree buses (first year lease payment) The estimated residential tax for each $100,000 of assessed value is $1643 (an increase of$126 over FYI4). This figure is before income sensitivity. For a household income of $90,000 or more, the tax on a $320,000 home would be $5,256; for an income on $80,000, the tax on a $320,000 home would be $2,673. Mr. Stewart noted that tax figures are subject to change based on state legislative action. Over the last 8 years, the school spending increase has been 3.28%. This year's increase is 3.05%. Mr. Stewartthenshowedachart ofcomparativetaxrateincreasesinSouthBurlingtonand oftaxincreases in other communities. There will be a special Article III to Repurpose Bond Funds. Mr. Steward explained that this relates back to a bond approved years ago for an administrative building that was never build. There are now a number ofissues in the school that need attention, and voters will be asked if thepreviously approved bond can be used for these new purposes, including: New elevators in the Middle School and High School (to address ADA requirements) High School bathrooms a section ofthe High School roof restoration ofthe Chamberlin School roof windows at the High School The total ofthese repairs is $1,675,000. Mr. Stewart then responded to questions from the public. C. Presentation of Proposed City Budget for FY 2015: Mr. Dorn introduced city Department Heads and Deputy City Manager Tom Hubbard to present the FY 2015 City Budget: Mr. Hubbard began by outlining the considerations in preparing the budget, including: keeping increases to a minimum maintaining FY14 funding level for city programs/services meeting contractual obligations adding one Police officer (to bring staff back to 2011 levels continued support for the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) including City Center Mr. Hubbard noted the city will be going back to the table with the three bargaining units in late summer/early fall. The total reduction in revenue for this budget is $658,689. The total reduction in expenditures is $322,963. Mr. Hubbard outlined the budget impacts ofthese reductions as follows: reduced contributions to the reserve fund reduced payment to the sick bank reduction in City Hall improvements reduced support for the Winooski Valley Park District reduction in the contingency fund Projects not funded include facility signage and Phase II ofthe facilities assessment. The city will postpone filling the vacancy for the Economic Development position. Several energy efficiency projects will be funded with outside loans. Mr. Hubbard explained that the revenue loss was due to the elimination ofthe $400,000 carry-over which helped furid the FY14 budget, and the one-time infusion of money from the "due to/due from" computation. Insurance increases amounted to $102,000 for health insurance and $156,000 for liability insurances. Mr. Hubbard showed a chart ofwhere expenditures go and where funding comes from. He noted that $3,600,000 is generated by local option taxes. Mr. Hubbard then reviewed increases in utilities as follows: Water +1.59% Sewer +2% Stormwater +2.5% For the average home in South Burlington, the total annual increase for the 3 utilities will be $13.27. Mr. Hubbard then responded to question from the public relating to paving, City Hall building and the pension fund. D. Discussion of City Clerk Term Article: Mr. Dorn reviewed the history ofthis Article, which involves State Legislature omission ofthe 3-year term for the City Clerk in the Charter change approved by the voters. Voters can restore the 3-year term for the City Clerk and avoid having to go through the Charter change process again. As there was no further business to come before the Pre-Town Meeting, Ms. Riehle moved to adjourn. Ms. Nowak seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m. , Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.