Town Budget Meeting Sep 24, 2024
OFFICIALS PRESENT: Clerk Helen Stehlik & Confidential Secretary to Supervisor Marie Bubilo
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Supervisor Rickard called the 2025 tentative budget meeting
to order at 6:00pm.
Supervisor Rickard gave board members their 2025 tentative budget on September 23, 2024.
Public notice was available on the desk for anyone who wants to see it.
Supervisor Rickard began with a power point presentation of the 2025 Tentative Budget:
Budget timeline:
May-current: budget reviewed and deficiencies identified
June – department head budget meeting
August/September – meeting with department heads
September – creation of budget book
September 24 – budget workshop
October 21 budget public hearing
November 20 – deadline to adopt budget
Budget development process:
1- Identified ACTUAL payroll, healthcare & retirement costs
2- Identified operating expenses
3- Streamlined expenses into manageable codes
4- Conducted department head meeting on budget
5- Solicited budget requests from department heads
6- Met with department heads to review requests
7- Identified actual revenue
8- Determined tax cap for 2025
9- Built and balanced the budget around collected data
10- Finalized tentative budget
Budget historical data:
2023 – 5.1% tax increase
2024 – 3.8% tax increase
2025 – 2.9% tax increase (proposed) which is below the tax cap of 3.4%
– “A” budget .06 cents per $100,000 increase
– “B” budget .13 cents per $100,000 DECREASE
2025 budget development challenges:
Previously there was no real time monitoring of funds
2024 budget built on faulty assumptions
Healthcare, social security & retirement costs not accurate:
EXAMPLE of healthcare shortage:
Highway 2023 actual: $360,097 but 2024 budget: $264,750
No money budgeted for Medicare reimbursements
EXAMPLE of social security shortage:
“A” budget 2023 actual $73,935 but 2024 budget $74,500
Highway 2023 actual $34,823 but 2024 budget $32,250
2025 budget development challenges:
Money moved around funds without proper budget modification
EXAMPLE: money for town newsletter taken from Assessor line
Tax cap on 6 funds which are dependent on each other
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2025 budget investment highlights:
Park & recreation enhancements:
Recreation coordinator (PT)
Recreation assistant (seasonal)
Dedicated park worker (seasonal)
Senior center HVAC replacement
Splash pad engineering
Town bicentennial celebration weekend
Additional advantages of proposed budget:
-funds allocated properly by code
-real time monitoring by simplifying accounting
-identify shortfalls/extra funds throughout the year
-budget lines will have accurate data points
-reduced budget modifications
Supervisor Rickard spoke re: budget cover sheet. Last year you used fund balance in the Mount Hope fire. They had $5,000 in fund balance. Tax payers in Otisville fire are going to pay more than 3% in taxes because we have to make up that $5,000 and then it compounds and we have to make it up again this year. When we say we it’s a 2.9% increase, it’s cumulatively over all 6 funds.
Supervisor Rickard began with General A revenue.
He then went line by line for General A expenses.
Councilmember Jennings asked about Lorelei’s big jump. Supervisor noted it’s because this year was only a partial year. She’s not getting a raise. She’s capped.
Supervisor Rickard spoke re: assessor. There’s a cut but in the past, Angie was in there, although she never worked in there. So, that includes for Dennis, a 3% raise and $3500 for E911 coordinator. He’s been doing it for free and refuses to do it for free anymore. Dennis also said he needs another new printer. He’s not sure if he can make it to the end of the year.
The next one is the big jump. The engineer line – the additional $50,000 is out of capital reserve is for the engineering of a splash pad. We’ve spoken about this. It’s a discretionary item. This budget is complete at 2.9%. All these #’s make up the final numbers given earlier. As a group, we should go to the park and figure out where we want it. Councilmember Jennings wanted to know if they could discuss this. He thought they also talked about more pickle ball courts and a bathroom by the football field. Supervisor added that Minisink’s pickle ball courts were $200,000. We don’t have that. We have bathrooms. If we do the splash pad, we’re gonna need a bathroom/changing area. Would like to find a location that would incorporate both.
Central services were discussed next. This is a new line. This is all the utilities – in one line per code. He explained the HVAC for the senior center building. He explained the police line next. It represents the union contract, 3% raise for Mike and a $5,000 for Curt. He is always working here. Animal control is in there also. The equipment – some of it comes out of capital reserve to pay for the police car.
Discussion over new highway supt. salary as Dean is retiring.
Recreation line – summer rec is done. We need a seasonal laborer for the park at 1040 hours. He explained the recreation coordinator and recreational aide positions with arts and crafts, book mobile etc. This would be a provided service to residents. We have a great youth center but no youth activities.
Celebrations line – this is where the bicentennial will come out. There will be no fireworks at NNO.
Research & Grants is a new line. We are hoping to apply for a grant for the splash pad.
Retirement we always know what the # is. He explained the %’s.
Councilmember Jennings asked about the full-time police officer position(s). Supervisor explained.
Next, he went over the General B fund revenue.
He reviewed the General B expenses. 1430 is Helen’s line/cost with 3%. 4373 is B internet/phone. Julie’s salary line is her office. Legally she is only allowed to work a certain number of hours. She will be $32.53 at 1040 hours. Heidi at 780 hours which is 15 hours/week. Deb is 19 hours/week. Mark is 8 hours/week. Councilmember Jennings questioned Heidi’s hours at 15. Supervisor stated that what Julie worked out with her. That office needs a new computer & monitor for Deb.
Supervisor Rickard spoke re: parkland revenue is for subdivisions when they get approved.
Supervisor explained the “CM” fund. Chad and Matt were using it for general operating expenses it appears. There’s still a chunk of it in
DA is bridges. There are grants for bridges which come out in the fall.
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MOTION TO ADJOURN MEETING:
MOTION offered Councilmember Furman 2nd Councilmember Davis to adjourn the meeting at 8:35pm. All in favor: Davis, Carey, Rickard, Furman, Jennings; motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen A. Myers, RMC
Town Clerk
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