Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-15-18 Special Meeting (1) Town of Enfield Special Town Board Meeting and Public Hearings Enfield Community Building Monday, October 15, 2018 7:00 p.m. Present: Town Supervisor Beth McGee, Town Councilperson Virginia Bryant, Town Councilperson Mike Carpenter, Town Councilperson Mimi Mehaffey, Town Highway Superintendent Buddy Rollins, Town Clerk Alice Linton. Town Councilperson Becky Sims excused. Town Clerk Linton lead the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag at 7:00 p.m. Privilege of the Floor: No one wished to speak. Public Hearing for 2019 Preliminary Budget: Supervisor McGee opened the public hearing at 7:02 p.m. and read the legal ad that was published in the Ithaca Journal. Jude Lemke of Enfield stated she felt if $35,000 could be cut from the Preliminary Budget the tax rate could remain flat. She would like to see that happen, as Enfield’s tax rate has gone up substantially in the last few years. Marcus Gingerich of Enfield stated he also has looked at historical data and feels it is disconcerting the way taxes have been going up. Ten years ago, Enfield had one of the lowest rates in Tompkins County. He suggested starting with a dollar figure for each department and they could decide how to budget that amount. Supervisor McGee closed the public hearing at 7:10 p.m. Public Hearing for Tax Cap Override Law: Supervisor McGee opened the public hearing at 7:10 p.m. and read the legal ad that was published in the Ithaca Journal. She also read the proposed Town of Enfield Local Law #2 of 2018 – A Local Law to Override the Tax Levy Limit Established in General Municipal Law Section 3-C. No one wished to speak regarding the proposed law. Supervisor McGee closed the public hearing at 7:13 p.m. Old Business: Budget: Councilperson Carpenter responded to the concerns expressed at the public hearing. He feels there is very little leeway in the general fund part of the budget. There were significant discussions a few years ago regarding highway expenses and why increases were needed. Safety issues were expressed along with a belief that for many years the highway department was not funded well so equipment was not kept up as it should have been. The only way to reduce the budget significantly would be in the highway fund. Supervisor McGee stated she worked hard to put this Preliminary Budget together and included reserve funds to make budget increases more predictable and stable. Savings are already very low and could be dangerous if something unpredictable happens. Councilperson Mehaffey agrees more funds should be put in reserves. Councilperson Bryant stated she feels things need to be tightened up to run the Town properly. Highway Superintendent Rollins reminded the Board to check state contracts for fuel prices. He explained how dirt roads don’t save the Town money in the long run – up to 1” of gravel is plowed off dirt roads each year. Oil and stone are also better for the environment due to prevention of runoff. It costs approximately Enfield Town Board Special Meeting, October 15, 2018 2 $200 a day to run a truck and about $2,000 a day when hauling stone or gravel. He feels the Town is about 10 years behind in replacing equipment, but has come a long way in the past 5 years. He further explained some of the work the highway department does and what is needed for the job. Supervisor McGee stated she would like to find other revenue sources so taxes wouldn’t need to be increased. Councilperson Mehaffey feels about 25% of the Town budget should be in reserves. Supervisor McGee feels the Town is in a place now where there are things we deserve and haven’t sought out such as franchise fees. The Town should build on what they have now for more equity across the board. She appreciates the frustration of community members. In order to make the shift the Town is seeking, they will have to look at the budget in the long term. With more knowledge comes more benefit. This budget is the beginning of a more predictable tax rate. Supervisor McGee stated the Final Budget is due by November 20. She would like to have another special meeting to discuss the budget and, since there was an error in the legal ad published for the tax cap override, she would like to schedule another public hearing for that time also. Supervisor McGee moved, with a second by Councilperson Mehaffey to set another budget meeting date and date for another public hearing on the tax cap override law on Tuesday, October 30 at 6:00 p.m. at the Community Building. Vote: Councilperson Bryant aye, Councilperson Carpenter aye, Councilperson Mehaffey aye, Supervisor McGee aye. Councilperson Sims excused. Carried Adjournment: Supervisor McGee adjourned the meeting at 8:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Alice M. Linton, RMC Enfield Town Clerk