HomeMy WebLinkAboutBudget Committee Minutes 3-21-22
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BUDGET COMMITTEE
Meeting Minutes - March 21, 2022
Committee present: Pam Bleiwas, Rod Howe Committee absent: Eric Levine
Staff present: Donna Shaw, Judy Drake, John Little, Marty Mosely, Debby Kelley,
Meeting was called to order at 12:08 p.m.
AGENDA ITEMS:
• Review and approve meeting minutes from February 14, 2022.
Moved: Pam Bleiwas Second: Rod Howe Motion Passed
• Review and approve early payoff of 2015 Road Improvements Bond using DB Projected Fund
Balance.
Projected Fund Balance Report attached. This was discussed previously but looking for approval to
move a resolution forward to the Town Board to pay off $461,000 in 2015 Road Improvement debt
using fund balance. There is eight years left on this bond and the 2022 interest payment is $11,000.
Highway Part-Town (DB Fund) is projected to have $1,753,825 in fund balance over the
recommended 40% of budgeted expenditures. The potential uses identified for 2022-2024
includes: $461,000 for the 2015 bond payoff, $740,000 for Maple Ave/Judd Falls improvements in
2023, and $361,000 for the 2014 bond payoff. The Fund Balance Policy requires using excess fund
balance within two budget cycles. The Committee approved moving this recommendation to the
Town Board for approval.
There is an additional $1,239,000 in Water Improvement debt in the 2015 bond issue. This is being
reviewed by Fiscal Advisors for potential refunding with our next bond issue.
• Review an additional IT Position.
The committee discussed funding a new IT position utilizing available funds in the budget for the IT
Intern position and the vacant Deputy Finance Officer position. There would still be $41,000
available in the Deputy Finance Officer position budget line after this move but it is not anticipated
that the position will be filled in the next couple of years. The 2023 and 2024 budgets will reflect
this change of un-funding the Deputy Finance Officer position and instead funding the new IT
position for that period. The Committee approved moving this position forward to Personnel and
Organization Committee and the Town Board for approval.
• Review and recommend Common Property Tax Exemptions.
Summary information was shared with Committee regarding three new recommended property tax
exemptions:
RPTL Section 470: Green Buildings provides for partial exemption for improvements that meet one of
three levels of energy efficiency and environmental standards – phased over 7-10 years.
RPTL Section 421-f: Capital Improvements provides for exemption for improvements to one- and two-
family residential buildings with an annually declining percentage over eight years.
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RPTL Section 485-g: Residential Subdivision Infrastructure provides for an exemption for
infrastructure intended to be dedicated to a municipality until there is a certificate of occupancy
granted.
There are also two exemptions that are already in place but just need income requirements increased
by $1,000 to be consistent with state requirements. RPTL Section 467 for persons 65 years of age or
older and RPTL Section 459c for persons with disabilities and limited incomes.
The Committee recommended moving these forward to the Town Board with a report from Jay
Franklin to discuss impacts.
• Other Items.
The Taitem Engineering Energy Audit is under review by staff to plan which improvements to
tackle first and develop a phased plan over the next several years, as some of the improvements
are quite pricey. The initial strategy is to try to tackle lighting improvements for both Town Hall
and Public Works in 2022. This is estimated to cost $28,000 and if the funds can’t be found within
the existing budget, we would allocate General fund balance.
The Committee was supportive of spending $5,000 for an engineering study to determine the
feasibility of converting the 2nd floor space (over Town Court) to usable office space. This space
would either be rented to an outside entity or used for Town Hall staff – to be determined later.
The Committee was supportive of $42,000 in improvements to the Board Room to support future
Zoom and YouTube use for hybrid meetings. These improvements will include sixteen wireless
microphones, mixer boards, cabinet, and two cameras. The microphones would automatically
mute and unmute depending on who is speaking to cut down on background noise.
Recommendations will be going to the Town Board in April for use of ARPA funding. As previously
discussed, we will be recommending it be used on infrastructure.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:38 p.m.
Next Meeting: Monday, April 11, 2022 at 12:00 p.m., Town Hall - Aurora Room or Zoom