HomeMy WebLinkAboutBudget Committee Minutes 6-13-22
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BUDGET COMMITTEE
Meeting Minutes - June 13, 2022
Committee present: Eric Levine, Pam Bleiwas, Rod Howe
Staff present: Donna Shaw, Judy Drake, Joe Slater
Meeting was called to order at 12:02 p.m.
AGENDA ITEMS:
• Review and approve meeting minutes from May 9, 2022.
Moved: Pam Bleiwas Second: Rod Howe Motion Passed
• Update on status of investments.
The $8 million certificate of deposit at First National Bank of Groton (FNBG) matures on July 1, 2022.
This certificate of deposit earned a rate of .5%. Currently, FNBG is offering .7% to renew for 12
months and Tompkins Community Bank (TCB) is offering 1.0%. We will get updated rates at the end
of June. The Committee was agreeable to moving the certificate of deposit to whichever institution
had the best rate. The Town Board has already approved banking with Tompkins Community, First
National Bank of Groton, and most recently, NYCLASS. There was some discussion regarding the
current interest rate environment and whether to open a 6-month CD with a slightly lower interest
rate in anticipation of rates increasing again by the end of the year. It was agreed that it’s impossible
to know what interest rates will do.
The current rate at NYCLASS is .63%. The super savings account at TCB had a recent rate increase
from .11% to .25%. There is currently $20 million in super savings at TCB. The Committee was
agreeable to moving $3 million to NYCLASS as an initial deposit.
The Committee was agreeable to opening a new $4 million 6-month CD with TCB with an interest
rate of .65%. This would leave $13 million in the super savings at TCB.
• Review and discuss Procurement Policy.
The draft Procurement Policy shared with the Committee is still a work in progress and is pending
feedback from Department Heads. This version provides more information and guidance than our
current policy and reads more like a procedure. It is an adaptation of Warren County’s policy. Most
of the information is governed by GML 103 and doesn’t leave much flexibility. However, we do have
some flexibility to change the procedure for the purchasing of commodities under $20,000 and
public work under $35,000 because the law only requires bids over those amounts.
We are hoping to include the Green Purchasing Policy within the Procurement Policy so that the
procedure is clear, and the elements of green purchasing aren’t overlooked.
The Committee raised concerns about using prison labor as a preferred source. And would also like
more information regarding the blind and disabled programs identified as a preferred source. There
is concern that these groups are taken advantage of in some of these programs.
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The Committee is also interested in exploring diversity and inclusion requirements as well as
whether vendors pay a living wage. It’s also important to recognize that some small businesses are
unable to complete the MWBE certification process required by the State.
The new policy addresses seeking competition for professional services, whereas the current policy
exempts professional services. There has been many recent OSC audits that have addressed
municipalities not seeking competition for professional services. It is common for municipalities to
use the same auditor, attorney, and insurance agent for years. We just recently went out to bid for
new auditors after using Sciarabba Walker for 20+ years without any sort of RFP pro cess. The RFP
for professional services would be based on experience, references, qualifications, and price.
• Review and discuss fund balance.
Since the 2021 audit is finalized, the Committee was provided with the final 2021 fund balance
worksheet. The pay off on the 2015 road improvements bond of $461,000 from DB fund balance will
be approved at tonight’s Town Board meeting. There is the option of setting up a Debt Reserve in
General Fund utilizing $1,373,918 in fund balance. This would leave $1.1 million in General fund
balance for future capital projects. The 2023 CIP will be available for review at the next meeting.
Currently, we anticipate using $650,000 in General fund balance to finance the PWF Fueling Station in
2023. In looking at the $842,533 available in General Part-Town fund balance, that fund does not
normally have capital projects or debt payments or other one-time uses for fund balance. They are
funded by fees and sales tax (no property tax). However, we do have the option of transferring their
fund balance to Highway Part-Town fund for use on future road projects (since the funds have the same
tax base).
• Review and approve May Budget Amendments.
The Committee reviewed the May budget amendments which included various transfers between
accounts as well as the amendments necessary to fund streetlight upgrades. There was some
discussion regarding elimination of the street light districts in two years when the upgrades are fully
funded. In the past, the total cost of the nine light districts was approximately $20,000 a year. It is
anticipated that there will be a significant cost decrease due to purchasing the streetlights and
converting to LED making it feasible to charge to the “at-large” account in General fund.
• Discuss property tax cap override for FY-2023.
The Town routinely passes the override each year just in case of a miscalculation, regardless of
whether we plan to exceed the tax cap. For 2023 we do not anticipate needing to exceed the tax
cap but we will recommend the Town Board pass the resolution.
• Other Items.
The Committee was provided with an analysis of the average tax bill that was prepared by
Tompkins County Assessment.
There has been a meeting set between the Town, City and County to discuss the Green Building
Tax Exemption.
Departments have started working on their 2023 budgets. We will have the 2023 Staffing Plan,
CIP and Fleet/Equipment Replacement Schedule ready for the next meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:45 p.m.
Next Meeting: Monday, July 11, 2022 at 12:00 p.m., Town Hall - Aurora Room or Zoom
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