HomeMy WebLinkAboutBudget Committee Minutes 7-10-2023
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BUDGET COMMITTEE
Minutes - July 10, 2023
Committee present: Pa Bleiwas – Acting Chairperson, Rod Howe, Eric Levine (via Zoom)
Staff present: Donna Shaw, Judy Drake, Joe Slater, Dan Thaete, Marty Mosely, CJ Randall, Paulette Rosa
Meeting was called to order at: 12:02 p.m.
AGENDA ITEMS:
• Ithaca Bikeshare discussion with Jeff Goodmark
Jeff Goodmark works for the Center for Community Transportation that oversees Ithaca Bikeshare.
They recently secured NYSEG as their Title Sponsor and they have committed to making a large
contribution over the next three years. Approximately 50% of their revenues are received as fees
from bikers. They continue to seek out other community partners with shared goals to make
contributions to ensure continued success and viability of Ithaca Bikeshare. They have requested
$25,000 from the Town of Ithaca in 2024.
• Review and approve 2024 Staffing Plans
The 2024-2027 Staffing Plan was shared with the Committee.
The 2024 Staffing Plan includes the following changes at Town Hall:
- 1 FT Sr. Code Enforcement Officer position filled by internal promotion, leaving one Code
Enforcement Officer position vacant. No increase in FTEs.
- 1 FT Sr. Planner position filled by internal promotion, leaving one Planner position vacant. No
increase in FTEs.
- 1 PT Deputy Town Clerk added at 25 hours per week.
- .25 FT Finance Officer added as overlap for an expected retirement in 2024.
Public Works Facility – no changes expected in 2024.
• Review 2024 Capital Improvement Program (CIP).
The Committee reviewed the schedule for capital projects scheduled for 2024:
- WATER TANKS - No projects are scheduled for 2024.
- WATER MAINS - Water Main Improvements for 2024 total $50,000 for new Lead and Copper Rule
– services identification funded with current year revenues.
- SANITARY SEWERS - The amount of $300,000 will be budgeted for Sewer Manhole Rehab in 2024,
which will be funded from current year revenues in the Sewer Fund. The Inlet Valley Pump
Station Rehab/Gravity Sewer Upgrades Project is expected to cost $900,000 and will be funded
with a combination of current year revenues and bonding ($768,000).
- JOINTLY OWNED INTERCEPTORS – Four projects in 2024 totaling $65,204 (Town share), as follows:
Stewart Park Pump State Phase A – Forcemain $18,230
Cherry Street Sewer & Forcemain Pipe Bridge Phase A 5,404
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Cherry Street Misc. Improvements Phase A 20,785
Cass Park Misc. Improvements 20,785
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- STORM DRAINAGE – The amount of $300,000 will be budgeted for the King Road West Box Culver
funded with available fund balance in General Fund.
- ROAD IMPROVEMENTS – The 2024 Road Improvement Program is budgeted at $1,636,000 and
includes the following projects:
- Ridgecrest $ 115,000
- Elm Street Rebuild/Repave 553,000
- King Road West – Phase 1 447,000
- Holly Creek Lane 61,000
- Larissa Lane & Schickel Road 166,000
- Glenside Road 52,000
- Coy Glen Road 242,000
These projects will be financed with current year property tax, CHIPS revenue, and
approximately $818,000 in DB fund balance.
- SIDEWALKS – The Rt 34/East Shore Drive Sidewalk Connector/Drainage is expected to cost
$2,000,000 and grant funding is being explored. This project is not included in the budget
currently.
- TOWN FACILITIES – The PWF MEP/Site Improvements is budgeted in 2024 for $514,800 and PWF
Trench Drain is budgeted for $40,000, both will use available fund balance. The PWF Security
Fence Installation is expected to cost $150,000 and will be covered by grant funding.
- GREEN ENERGY UPGRADES – The Town Hall Weatherization – LED Design Services is expected to
cost $401,000 and the Town Hall Weatherization – Architectural Design Services is budged for
$250,000. Both projects are expected to utilize grant funding.
- BRIDGES – This is a new category in 2024 and includes Townline Road Bridge – Phase 1 Design
with an expected budget of $410,000 which will be funded with a Bridge NY grant and a 10%
matching contribution from the County.
- PARKS & TRAILS – Improvements to Town Parks & Trails for 2024 is budgeted for $531,700 and
includes a $60,000 for Game Farm Trail repair, $50,000 for trail overlay, $60,000 for King Road
West/Buttermilk Crosswalk, $80,000 for South Hill Rec Way Extension feasibility study, and
$281,700 for the Culver Road Preserve – Babcock Ridge Trail construction.
• Initial discussion on 2024 Tax Cap calculations.
The 2024 Tax Cap is projected to include an approximately $300,00 or 2.81% tax levy increase; or a
4.34% increase if we include the prior year carryover of $165,608. More work is needed on the
estimated PILOT payments to finalize the calculation.
• Update on status of investments.
The $8 million CD matured on July 1st so we requested rates from Tompkins Community, First
National Bank of Groton and Community Bank. Tompkins Community offered 5% for a 9 month
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term and 4.8% for 12 months. Community Bank offered 4.7% for 5 months and 4.9% for 12 months.
First National Bank of Groton offered 4% for 9 months and 3.85% for 12 months. The Committee
discussed options of committing $4-5 million now and waiting a month to take out a second CD.
• Update on Sales Tax collections for 2023.
For the first five months of 2023, sales tax collections of $1,761,669 are .1% lower than the
$1,763,773 received for the same period in 2023. April and May collections were lower than the
prior year, however, it’s best to wait for the full quarter collections because the monthly collections
tend to be estimated with a true up in the final month of the quarter. We will continue to monitor
collections.
• Other Items.
No other items were discussed.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:01 p.m.
Next Meeting: Monday, August 14, 2023 at 12:00 pm, Town Hall - Aurora Room