12/14/09

Board of Selectmen budget working session minutes

In attendance: Kathy, Mike, Rich, Russell, Denise (available by phone if needed)

The board discussed the budget spread sheet and how they were going to approach the 2010 budget.

We all agreed that the budget we propose should not have an increase and we should work towards proposing a budget that would match the potential default.

The Board would like to see what the budget would look like if each dept was cut by 5%. 

If possible we would like to see the cuts come from items other than salaries. The goal is to ensure the town, (by department) is running as efficiently and cost effective as possible. Other than contractual items that we can’t change, what items can be trimmed? In the case of the Police Department for example, where salaries are the greatest portion of the budget, this might not be possible. However, a 5% cut on the rest could be done.

The Board would like a summary of total current salaries for the entire town and proposed increases to see what the total % impact is to the overall budget. (Russell to pull this from budget spread sheet)

It is our belief that since the salaries are a small % of the overall budget, it would not be the best use of time for the budget committee to consider salaries. As an overall policy discussion, the Board will look at salary increases and come up with a consistent method for the entire town to administer increases.

Additionally the Board would like to ensure we have a good estimate of insurance costs for 2010 so we can consider adjusting the town/employee contribution percentages.

Estimated 2010 park costs need to be finalized and the board will have to decide how much revenue we will count on and how much of the park costs will go into the budget and how much will be covered by the recreation revolver.

The Board generally agreed other than the road reconstruction warrant article (amount to be considered), no other money warrant articles would be submitted by the board.

Questions:

• Is the default column accurate?
• Is each line item in the 2010 proposed accurate? Each dept should review one more time.
• Should the 2010 proposed detail amount be carried into the final 2010 column?

Next steps:

• Departments to be cut by 5% and re-submit.
• Board to decide on salary and insurance
• Budget meetings to be scheduled week of 12/28 (dates to be determined)

Other Items:

• Board to consider possible ‘freezes’ on some items throughout the year to see what comes in for revenue
• Board to look into fund balances
• Board to consider road reconstruction W.A. amount
• Recreation revolver accounts need to be mapped and we need to finalize how this will operate
• Draft warrant article moving spending authority of recreation revolver from rec. committee to Board.
• Budget Committee meetings to be scheduled.
• Narrative and talking points need to be finalized for general communication and explanation to residents.