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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 03/02/2015 PRE-TOWN MEETING 2 MARCH 2015 The South Burlington City Council and School Board held a Pre-Town Meeting public informational hearing on Monday, 2 March 2015, at 7:00 p.m., in the Cafeteria of Tuttle Middle School, 500 Dorset Street. MEMBERS PRESENT: City Council: P. Nowak, Chair; H. Riehle, C. Shaw, M. Emery, J. Simson; School Board: E. Fitzgerald, Chair; M. Lalonde, J. Beatty, D. Bugbee, D. Fleming ALSO PRESENT: K. Dorn, City Manager; T. Hubbard, Deputy City Manager; D. Kinville, City Clerk; J. Barlow, City Attorney; I. Blanchard, Project Manager; S. Dory, Finance Director; P. Conner, Director of Planning & Zoning; J. Rabidoux, Director of Public Works; Chief T. Whipple, Police Department; Chief D. Brent, Fire Department; J. Murray, Community Library Director; J. Ladd, Human Resources; C. Ingalls, City Manager’s Office; D. Young, Superintendent of Schools; J. Stewart, School District, B. Nowak, P. Taylor, S. Dooley, S. Dopp, T. Chittenden, T. Harrington, R. Cassidy, E. Goldberg, other members of the community 1. Approve and sign disbursements: Ms. Riehle moved that Council members approve and sign disbursements as presented. Mr. Simson seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 2. Public Informational Hearing on public questions and budget articles to be voted on by Australian ballot 17 V.S.A. Sect. 2680(g): a. Reading of Warning Articles: Ms. Nowak read the Warning. b. Presentation of proposed City budget for FY2016: Mr. Hubbard presented the proposed FY2016 City Budget as follows: Priorities: 1. Maintain level program 2. Maintain current level of service 3. Meet contractual obligations (negotiations are ongoing with all 3 bargaining units) 4. Continue support for C.I.P. 5. Full funding for City Center Reserve Fund 6. Restore some FY15 funding cuts 7. Funds for new public safety tower (a stand-alone tower, 50% city and 50% CWD funding 8. Replace some money in reserve funds 9. Meet all bonded debt obligations 10. Police Phase 1 computer server upgrade 11. HVAC contracts for all facilities 12. Transfer unstaffed position to Consultant for services for City Center 13. Social service funding and support to organizations Not funded: 1. Facilities signage 2. Phase II facilities assessment 3. Full restoration of reserve funds to 2013 levels 4. Funding of all requests in the C.I.P. 5. Renovations to Fire Station #2 (does not involve fire service/protection 6. Additional personnel (only one new Police officer added) 7. Stabilization fund ($1.6 million recommended by auditor) Major Factors: 1. $350,000 carryover from balance sheet used for FY15 budget 2. Decrease in overall revenue 3. Increases in Health and Worker’s Compensation insurances 4. Proposed contractual salary increases 5. Dedicated reserve for tax appeal re: Burlington International Airport 6. New full-time police officer 7. Housing trust fund Revenue Factors: 1. $350,000 carryover from balance sheet used for FY15 budget 2. $300,000 in FY15 for paving projects 3. $665,000 loan proceeds for a new fire truck 4. $100,000 transfer from special fund for new ambulance 5. $100,000 from Criminal Justice Program now in special fund Reductions in revenue total $1,154,000. The total budget expenditure is $35,651,415 with $21,153,145 coming from the General Fund. Non-property tax revenues total $7,880,861. General fund property tax revenues $13,272,284 (an increase of $1,060,840). The property tax rate estimate is 0.4600, and increase of .0315 or 7.35%. Mr. Hubbard then reviewed pie charts of where money is expended and the sources of revenue. Water, sewer and stormwater rates will be increasing by approximately $1.02, .62 and .15 a month, respectively. The total increase for taxes and utilities for the average condo would be $77.06 a year or $6.41 a month. The total increase for the average single family home would be $125.35 a year or $10.45 a month. Mr. Hubbard then responded to questions regarding health insurance. c. Presentation of proposed School budget for FY2016: Ms. Fitzgerald read the Warning Article. Supt. Young then presented the School Budget as follows: The total budget is $45,747,228 which represents a 3.27% increase. Revenues are increasing by just over 9%. The number of equalized students goes from 2305 to 2400.03, an increase of 35. The cost per equalized pupil goes from $14,893 to $14,923. The draw from the Education Fund is at 1.67%. Expenditure increases/decreases: Salary/wages +2.71% Employee Benefits +2.53% Operating expenses +6.87% Bonded Debt -4.7% Budget Highlights: 1. 3.27 increase over last year 2. Increased number of students coming from Grand Isle and Georgia (adds to revenue) 3. Increase in number of ELL students needing services 4. Added resources (math coaches, ITE) 5. Increased funds to support identified needs in stewardship plan Accomplishments: 1. Among highest performers in most academic measures 2. Excellence in clubs, music, dramas, etc. 3. 93% graduation rate (the goal is 100%) 4. Contracts negotiated 5. Continued commitment to service to students. Facilities: 1. Continue to support stewardship plan with focus on ADA compliance 2. Middle school elevator completed 3. Roofs completed at Chamberlin and High School District Accomplishments: 1. Positive relations with City continue 2. Master planning and visioning underway to identify options for the City Council and School Board to consider 3. Ongoing support for energy efficiency 4. Retirement investments handled by SEI have resulted in growth of assets from $3.2 million to $8.4 million Shared Services: 1. Electric maintenance work 2. Grading of parking areas 3. Assistance with drainage issues at Orchard School 4. Joint purchase of lift truck Supt. Young then responded to questions as related to medical insurance/health care, completion of high school, and the status of food service (Supt. Young said there was an operating profit of $20,000 last year following a $40,000 loss the previous year. This has reduced the overall deficit). Board and community members recognized outgoing School Board member Diane Bugbee and outgoing interim City Councilor John Simson for their service to the city. As there was no further business to come before the session, Ms. Riehle moved to adjourn. Mr. Shaw seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:03 p.m. Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.