Town Budget Meeting September 26th, 2023
OFFICIALS PRESENT: Police Chief Maresca, Deputy Chief Curtis Hahne, Justice John Goldsmith, Building Inspector Julie Musial.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Supervisor Howell called the 2024 tentative budget meeting to order at 6:00pm. Supervisor Howell had given the board members their 2024 tentative budget on September 22, 2023 & town clerk gave the budget packets this evening. Public notice was available on the desk for anyone who wants to see it.
Supervisor Howell began with the Justices:
Justice John Goldsmith stated that he put in for a significant increase for the clerks. He put in for 3% for everyone else. He explained his numbers for the clerks were based on their years of service and had they started at $20/hour. The fines come out of the fines account. The expense for running the courts is basically their salaried. Supervisor Howell: There’s $14,000+/- for income so far this year which is basically 2 monthly salary for the department. Goldsmith: we can’t go out and drum up business. He doesn’t like that the prosecutors fees come out of their contractual line. They work for the town board. The judges don’t have a supervisory say over the prosecutors. Supervisor: is concerned that he only put in for significant increase for the clerks and not the court officers. Goldsmith: they are not there nearly as much as the clerks are. Supervisor: I understand but he is not in favor of his request because he left out the officers. Councilmember Davis asked about the request for 4 court officers. Goldsmith: we only use 2 – the other 2 are basically used as backup. Discussion ensued re: court officers.
Building Inspector Julie Musial stated she put in for a significant jump in the pay rates. She put Deb in for $22.52 going back to when she started and giving 3% each year. She has tremendous experience and is indispensable. She did an evaluation of other towns and BI’s. She read off #’s from other municipalities. The average for BI was $43.84. She asked for $40 for herself. If they needed to cut down in budget – she would consider cutting her hours to 25 hours/week. The average in other municipalities for assistant was $30.15. She put in for $30/hour for Heidi. She explained the “.4” is at $10,000 due to the new office and needing another computer. Councilmember Jennings asked if all 3 of them are ever in the office at the same time. Musial: minimally. She stated that prior to her being BI, the office was losing money. So far, she’s brought in $993,524.00. Budget totals are $586,410.00. That’s a net profit of $407,000.00. She feels the COVID money was a slap in the face. She and the front office worked every day. She thinks they should be paid what they’re worth. She asked that if they had to tweak the #’s that she has the opportunity to discuss. The BI for the village making $48+/hour and she’s only there 3 hours per week. She would be willing to go down to 25 hours per week. She would be willing for Deb to remain at $20/hour. She doesn’t want to budge on Heidi’s salary. If she went to 25 hours, she keeps Heidi’s salary and Deb at $16,320.00 That would bring their “.1” to $107,320.00. She could probably get away with $8500 for “.4”. New department total would be $115,820.00. She further stated that the tablets are still not up/running. They had a lot of kinks to work out. Once that’s done, they will start using them. There was discussion that they have had the tablets for 3 years and still not using them. Councilmember Jennings asked for her to get a recommendation on specs for a new computer. Julie will do that.
Police Chief Maresca spoke. He asked if anyone had questions. Basically, for admin they would stay the same as now. He explained the FTO is at $62,490. PTO’s remaining hours are at the average hourly rate. Supervisor Howell: the pay rates are set per the contract. Chief Maresca spoke about the car. He would like to consider a truck. Councilmember Dabis: it wouldn’t be used as a main vehicle just as a backup? She asked if it could be a “used” vehicle. Chief: with a used vehicle you never know what you’re gonna get. The truck, if allowed, would be patrol ready. He explained the “.4” is similar to years before. They discussed the FLOCK cameras and their actual usage. If we were to get rid of any one of them when something happens, we’ll wish we had them. Chief will explore the safety technology grant. He spoke re: the live scan grant. We will have to pay then we get reimbursed.
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Supervisor Howell noted that:
-the cleaning service we use is asking for a $70/week increase. That is why there’s some extra allotted in the buildings line.
-he received 2 reports from the state comptroller’s office: our fiscal stress designation is 0%, our env. Stress designation is 16.7%. Debt service is at minimum.
-he gave town board 3% for salaries. Contractual stayed the same.
-Justices spoke already
-Supervisor’s office: supervisor salary goes back to starting salary, he put bookkeeper in at 5% to $22.94
-budget officer is back at starting salary
-assessor is 3%, he’s asking for the data collector position back as it pays for itself; a town wide revaluation will cost $440,000.00; discussion re: data collector and how it helps the building inspector
-Town Clerk: explained the salary increase, went back to when deputy started and did 3% up until current. Asked for 4 ¾ for town clerk; Supervisor believes $20.60 is the acceptable # for deputy.
-A1640 is the same as this year
-A1989 is up to $25,500, KKBN will do quarterly filings for us
-A3310 stays the same
-A3510 put at 3%, “.4” is up $500 for the pound; those contracts are reviewed annually
-A5010 Dean asked for 5%, he put Amy in for $2 plus 3% (he will speak at next budget meeting)
-A5132 is up $2000
-A6772 seniors asked for additional $1100 as trip fees have gone up
-A7140 up $1300
-A7310 matches the revenue side
-Supervisor then explained the revenue lines from page 8
-Supervisor went through page 9 line by line.
-planning clerk will go to $24/hour
-DA5120 is up $2800
-Supervisor explained the “B” revenue
-Supervisor explained that B1560 should get to $120,000
-DB5110 contractual and salary increases
-DB5112 improvements
-DB5130 up $10,000
-DB5140 up for contractual and salaries
-DB5142 up for contractual and salaries
-Supervisor explained the highway revenue
-sewer is up 3% for salaries
-Howells fire – we are still waiting on a number
-MH fire protection is $347,529
-Supervisor went over the cover page of the budget
-unexpended balance is not there yet
– Supervisor asked for any questions
-Councilmember Davis doesn’t think building department hours should be cut; she thinks the clerks in the justice department took a big jump
-Councilmember Furman thinks in the future there should be a scale for salaries; he suggested $24 for Linda/$23.50 for Fran/$23.50 for Amy
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Brian Carey: thinks giving the clerks the salary bump was a poor choice.
Paul Rickard: more thought should have gone into it. It needs to have a fairer distribution.
Supervisor: discussed a longevity roster
MOTION TO ADJOURN MEETING:
MOTION offered Councilmember Furman 2nd Councilmember Davis to adjourn the meeting at 8:35pm. All in favor: Howell, Jennings, Davis, Furman; carried.
The next BUDGET meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at 6:00pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen A. Myers, RMC
Town Clerk
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