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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-09-09-STB-FINAL-minutes1 SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING 2025 Pre-Tentative Budget Town of Ulysses Sept. 9, 2024 The meeting was held in person at the Town Hall at 10 Elm St., Trumansburg NY as well as via Zoom videoconference. Notice of Town Board meetings are posted on the Town’s website and Clerk’s board. Video recordings of meetings are available on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWVIs--g9CpHIxdk9YxZyPw. CALL TO ORDER: Ms. Olson called the meeting to order at 9:36am. (Staff and 2 board members were in discussion from 9-9:36am before a quorum of the board was present to necessitate a public meeting). ATTENDANCE: TOWN OFFICIALS Supervisor- Katelin Olson Board members- Rich Goldman, Liz Weatherby Town Clerk- Carissa Parlato Highway Superintendent- Scott Stewart (excused at 10:51am) Highway/DPW Clerk- Mollie Duell Bookkeeper/Budget Officer- Blixy Taetzsch HIGHWAY BUDGET DISCUSSION: DA FUND: (Town-wide Highway maintenance & repair) •Fund balance used for revenue for 2025 to balance the budget o Appropriated fund balance is best used as one-time funding for one-time purchases o TOU fund balance policy suggests 30% in reserves, this budget will adhere to that •Discussion of the tax cap- is set by state at just under 3%, which is less than the level that inflation has risen. Increasing the taxes by this amount equated to $48,000. The union salary increases will equal about $33,000. Further discussion of fund balance and the town’s fund balance policy. •Funds in reserves can only be accessed for specific uses allowed by that fund DB FUND: (Town-outside Village Highway maintenance & repair) •Salary increases in this line are due to more highway projects scheduled for 2025 •Health insurance cost down due to 1 less person on town plan but contingency included in case a staff member opts into the town’s plan •CHIPs funding for local highway improvements- NYS allots us an amount each year and reimburses what we spend up to that amount. What we don’t use will rollover and the town can use that for other projects •Capital reserves are used for major repairs/emergencies 2 SW3 FUND: • Discussion on who (water users vs. residents who live in district but use own well) pays costs (operation, debt, water usage & loss) and problem-solving around increased water loss • Debt service is paid off so now must save for future repairs to aging infrastructure CAPITAL RESERVE IN DB- follow up • Highway paving – no specific road identified yet • Ms. Taetzsch recommends better long-term planning to hone in on needs REPAIR RESERVE: • Used for emergency needs like road wash-outs Mr. Stewart and Ms. Duell were excused at this time (10:51am). EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 10:52AM Ms. Olson moved to go into Executive Session at 10:52am for the purpose of discussing matters related to the promotion or compensation of employees. This was seconded by Ms. Weatherby and passed unanimously. Mr. Goldman moved to end Executive Session at 11:09am. This was seconded by Ms. Weatherby and passed unanimously. A FUND: TOWN BOARD CE: • Conferences, training, ads • No new requests SUPERVISOR: • Bookkeeper & Budget Officer are separate lines even though it is same person • Ms. Olson will attend the 2025 annual Association of Towns training • New 2nd Deputy Supervisor • Funding budgeted for help from clerk’s or other office if necessary RECREATION: • Budget has been approved by the Youth Commission • Majority of the budget is funded by fees • Savings in 2024 from camp CAMP BARTON • New fees for planning in REC CE Camp Barton line • May be able to do a specialty camp there next year as full-time camp not likely due to slowed timeline of property transfer from Boy Scouts to NYS RECREATION: • New program for CITs- to give training to younger kids who want to become counselors 3 The group discussed retirement costs. YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: • The program is now being run for about $56,000, down from $63,000 that was being paid to CCE MORTGAGE TAX: • Mr. Goldman felt that too little was budgeted in this revenue line. The group agreed to increase it to $40K APPROPRIATED FUND BALANCE IN THE A FUND: • The town’s Fund Balance Policy allows $243K for appropriating. The 2025 budget appropriates ~$165K. Since mortgage revenue was increased the group agreed to lower the appropriated amount to $154K. • Possible one-time fees in 2025 to come out of this line: o Consultant for Camp Barton o Investment in Camp Barton B FUND • This is the only fund this year where we need to appropriate more than what the Fund Balance Policy allows due to $22,853 request for additional well-testing and associated staff • Discussion of fee structure increase to help offset some costs FIRE/EMS At a meeting last week, Ms. Olson questioned the fire fee structure due to this town having been reassessed and having to pay a larger share. Mr. Hart will create a model to equalize assessments and follow up. ADJOURN Mr. Goldman made a motion to adjourn at 11:49am. This was seconded by Ms. Weatherby and passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted by Carissa Parlato, Town Clerk 9/18/24