[0:07] For the 5,000 people who are watching us, we should be starting son and son as soon as we have a quorum. Thank you for joining us.

[0:19] Because we had what 39, you reviewed us last time?

[0:22] Well we have zero, we're no, no, no, zero, we're not 100 here.

[0:27] We

[0:32] have

[0:54] no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.

[0:55] I say so much.

[0:59] 15 pounds of people.

[1:01] I see that.

[1:01] I can't do not doubt you.

[1:22] I can't hear that.

[1:23] I guess I'm not in the mail.

[1:24] We can talk about it.

[1:25] When do you want to meet 2.99?

[1:29] We really, really don't.

[1:31] We want to do that.

[1:32] Well, I'm just not available tomorrow, but we just kind of agreed that we would do it.

[1:36] He's by case, right?

[1:37] Week two week.

[1:38] Not already on that.

[1:40] Yeah, it's a week from today.

[1:42] And I actually have to go post to because I haven't posted it yet.

[1:44] I just got the minute to go.

[1:48] So we'd be looking at Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday.

[1:59] We need the prep meeting for the 9-9

[2:08] Wednesdays the meeting.

[2:09] Yeah, we should really do it before, but...

[2:10] Yeah, Tuesday is part of the only date.

[2:13] What do you have? Do you have your calendar up?

[2:18] I think that you had Tuesday.

[2:25] I trust you, if I'm here waving you, I'll just show you

[2:37] there.

[2:40] It's government, and there's a public, anyways, that's the best time for that time.

[2:52] So if that people come to Delaware on Friday, I don't know why you're going to vote

[2:58] to be in back, if I can provide that by Tuesday.

[3:06] So, Tuesday, we should be able to fix that.

[3:10] Yes.

[3:11] Well, that one we have for some of the news.

[3:14] Please.

[3:16] Good point about the finance.

[3:20] Um...

[3:21] Yeah.

[3:21] Tuesday, it looks good.

[3:22] So, I'll tell you, if you're available when you're available.

[3:30] Should it be?

[3:35] You want to talk about it?

[3:36] I don't want to.

[3:39] You want to talk about it?

[3:40] Or you can make it wrong.

[3:41] There's a difference without me, you know.

[3:43] No, no, no, thanks.

[3:47] Well, no, it's good for you too.

[3:51] Doesn't seem to work well without you.

[3:53] No, nothing does.

[3:56] Wait, what's the difference?

[3:59] We work that into our conversation and we appreciate that.

[4:04] That knows this and much about everything.

[4:06] So we don't make it home.

[4:12] You know, when is it not a deal, but to a school or a before?

[4:15] We sit in the meeting and sit in the meeting now.

[4:17] Having posted yet, so I got to do that by 630.

[4:20] I'm going to be here.

[4:23] I'm going to be here.

[4:26] I'm going to be here.

[4:27] I'm going to be here.

[4:28] I'm going to be here.

[4:30] I'm going to be here.

[4:31] You can't.

[4:35] I said we could do that.

[4:36] Is this a house or a book?

[4:52] Let's go.

[4:54] That's my work number.

[4:56] I mean, I have to work so.

[5:06] Mr.

[8:15] Randall, I'd like one for his beautiful wife.

[8:23] We're

[8:32] back on,

[8:41] so a leading on the proof of posting, but we can call the meeting to order.

[8:53] roll number one for attendance counselor Smith president counselor cast counselor Sullivan

[8:59] president counselor Lappier president counselor Walzick

[9:02] counselor Duhame chair of Liberty

[9:05] and present that is at

[9:09] six o'clock so if all those that are able can stand for

[9:23] the

[9:39] So tonight's eating is a budget review, but we'll still, it's a public meeting so we

[9:44] have opportunity for public input.

[9:53] We want to start with

[9:57] budget overview.

[10:03] Thank you, Madam Chair. On to Garen, the autonomous creator. And instead of my past PowerPoint, a lot of the information that I'm going to be going over is contained within the program that we use to develop our budget. So, no need to go back and forth through anything, everything is contained right in this document.

[10:28] So, as far as the a comprehensive summary, the proposed budget is $22.6 million and

[10:38] expenditures, which is 1.24% over the 2627 default budget or budget of $22,22 million, $22.3 million.

[10:53] It is important to note that the roadway maintenance resurfacing roadpaving program within the Department of Public Work does not include the funding for the roadpaving.

[11:04] For those that might have been part of the board back in 2020, we had a contract with a company to do a analysis of all of our roadways in town.

[11:16] And based on our analysis, we found that our roads were being kept in a fair condition.

[11:23] I mean, they weren't poor, they weren't support, they were in a good condition.

[11:29] And therefore, there were choices that the council could have made.

[11:33] You can maintain the roads and an average level, which was below the good level that was established by the group

[11:40] or at a fair level, which was above the good level, and then there was the top level which was even more expensive to maintain beyond the level that we established.

[11:58] We chose the good level that good level had to cost about $900 a year in order to maintain our roadways in town in that same standard.

[12:06] So that's what was approved.

[12:09] We had included in the budget $300,000 for road paving.

[12:14] And then we established a Ruan article for $600,000 to match the $900,000

[12:22] needed to maintain a rose at the level that we chose.

[12:26] Obviously over the last several years with the full budget that has waned.

[12:32] and given that the concept of the action say the consequence, but the reductions that were made

[12:40] to meet the default budget cost us the roadway paving program.

[12:47] And what we are doing, I tell you to do this year is take that completely out of the budget

[12:53] and establish a war in article for our paving, and have the voters decide how they want

[12:58] to move forward with a paving program in town.

[13:02] So that's, so that would be a separate war notical.

[13:12] And I appreciate the thought of getting creative and having the voters decide about the roads.

[13:21] But we kind of have to, you know, fence to the voters, but it'll be a bigger problem if it doesn't pass because it's a war notical.

[13:31] So I'm not 100% on board with it.

[13:35] I think it's a good idea to be do something else.

[13:39] But I part of me also thinks that it should be part of our operating budget to maintain the roads.

[13:48] There's not much other function of the local government than maintaining the roads.

[13:57] So I'm on the fence.

[14:01] I would definitely concur that we do need to be really cautious how we move forward.

[14:07] I have a quick question on that though, would the Warren article be for the, like approximately 900,000?

[14:12] Or would it be for the shortfall of a 300,000?

[14:14] No, it'd be for the 900,000.

[14:15] Sure.

[14:16] A complete.

[14:17] Yes.

[14:18] Thank you.

[14:20] And by the way, we are updating that survey that roadway analysis survey as we speak this year.

[14:26] So we can also have the future funding levels

[14:30] as staffs for future budgets.

[14:34] Thank you, Chair.

[14:35] Are we talking about a one year, one year of funding

[14:39] for paving with that 900,000?

[14:44] No, looking at the five year like we did before, correct?

[14:49] So five years, it was a three years.

[14:50] Five years, what's five?

[14:54] So it would be 900,000 for each one would be

[14:58] at $900,000.

[15:00] Or nine times five, four point five. So it would be a four point five million dollar one article straight.

[15:06] And we will proceed like we have in the past, nine hundred thousand dollars. And what the ban in the DBW department is always done is identify the roads that are going to be done each and every year.

[15:18] I must like the drainage projects as well. I did identify where the money is going and those are the, that would be the plan for that particular year and every year thereafter would do the same thing.

[15:31] So, chairperson, so if we don't include in the budget, maybe at a different level in the one article fails, that will be, there'll be no paving done.

[15:44] If we know different than if the budget isn't past, unless the council chooses that when we have to make the reductions in the budget or to meet the default budget again for the fourth time.

[15:56] decisions we're going to be made as to where that money comes from, and, and, and the past

[16:02] years, the paving budget has, as suffered, so it would pretty much suffer the same fate

[16:08] if, if it's not proved by Warren article or it's not proved because the budget's not approved,

[16:14] we don't, we will continue not to do the, or the pavement program will suffer.

[16:21] It's just one follow-up, certainly you may be one of the way till we get to the individual

[16:28] budgets, but perhaps it seems like there's some trepidation of how we approach this, so

[16:35] maybe we can come up with a compromise, some within the operating budget, and then some to

[16:41] complement similar to the March 22nd meeting, which was 900, was 600,000, and that we had

[16:49] some in the operating budget, so, but maybe we should just go down that road a little bit further

[16:54] before we decide on how we're going to pay that, so, but yeah, so certainly an interesting

[17:02] approach that we can take in this maybe an option, but they could be another option.

[17:06] And keep in mind that we are going to be discussing public works tonight, so if there's

[17:11] more questions regarding the approach, again, we'll be here to discuss it further, it's

[17:20] I have one more, and it's really just based on the number so we're in a current default budget.

[17:29] 2026, 2025, we're in the default budget, but we did have money for saving for this year, even in a default.

[17:46] So we've done this before. I didn't know if you said that.

[17:50] I'll go back to what I mentioned that we did a road analysis back in 2020.

[17:55] And the fair level that we chose had a price tag of $900,000.

[17:59] We had $300,000 in the budget.

[18:02] We had a war in article for $600,000 making the $900,000 that we moved for.

[18:06] Okay, and then that $600,000 was a five year

[18:12] born article, and would have been to say, this year's

[18:16] last year, this year's the last year.

[18:19] Yeah, I'll make the one up, yeah.

[18:26] So on the revenue side of the budget, we project an $8.1 million,

[18:33] a revenue, which is a 3.8% increase compared to the 7.8 million

[18:40] budgeted in the FY2627 budget, wastewater revenue was not included in the FY2627, or the FY2728

[18:51] budgets.

[18:54] Also, what we get to the revenue side, we were very conservative with the

[19:00] guard to the new revenue source that will be coming online when the solar rays come online

[19:06] next year, because although we do have some projections, and from the vendor that's putting

[19:18] up in this revision as to what the estimate would be, and we can modify, excuse me, we

[19:26] can modify that revenue projection before we conclude our budget process, which would be

[19:33] next two weeks from now. If we want, because I believe we use the figure of $25,000 in there

[19:44] for that particular projection, it would probably be more in the $100,000 plus range with the

[19:51] to the potential revenue projected.

[19:56] So that's something to keep in mind as we move forward.

[20:02] Thank you, Chair. That $8 million does not include wastewater revenues. That's correct. Is there a reason why?

[20:13] I believe that the, and Christine, you can correct me from wrong. I believe that the revenue that is generated and expenses that are generated by the wastewater are taken care by the use of charges.

[20:26] Okay, so it's something that we report in the past.

[20:30] And so when I look at the historical revenues by fund,

[20:34] I'm in the budget book, and I see 10 million, 9 million, 11 million, 11 million, 13 million.

[20:40] That was all include wastewater revenue, but the 8 million doesn't.

[20:44] Correct.

[20:44] And the real reason why I posed that is to Andre.

[20:46] But he was correct that that is the fact.

[20:50] But the wastewater doesn't report to this report.

[20:55] they go directly to the budget committee and we don't have any of their information with regards

[20:59] to their respective budget or to their respective revenue numbers,

[21:07] but historically their

[21:09] budget and the revenue numbers are equal so that we are not raising tax dollars for that

[21:16] purpose.

[21:17] They offset.

[21:18] So it's almost like it shouldn't be reported in previous year's revenues.

[21:24] Right.

[21:25] Right.

[21:25] Or yes.

[21:28] One way or the other.

[21:30] Thank you.

[21:31] Thank you.

[21:40] So moving on to more of an overview of

[21:47] the budget.

[21:53] So in general, if you can go down to the TA recommendations, there you go.

[22:02] And we will be going over these individually as each department comes up, but as an overview,

[22:11] with regard to the increases that make up that inherent in the default budget,

[22:22] that includes the Union raises that were approved by the voters,

[22:24] Please, that in 169, 479, a police union at that amount, mid-management union at 70,000,

[22:33] 32, and the Department of Public Works at 70,786.

[22:37] So those were part of the default budget because they were approved by the voters.

[22:44] Full-time staffing remains unchanged at 127 positions, while part-time staff were recommending

[22:51] are my budget recommends two positions. The proposed budget is recommending adding one part-time

[22:57] code enforcement officer, one part-time assistant finance director. We had the last budget,

[23:05] we had requested a full-time position, which was of code enforcement, and fire prevention

[23:14] as one position, and one full-time position share between two departments. That was defeated

[23:20] And the one part, and we were moving forward with a request for a full-time assistant finance director.

[23:29] And that was defeated as a full-time.

[23:31] We are proposing a part-time.

[23:35] It's hard to be so insisted on these two positions, but the need is there.

[23:42] And that's why we keep on asking because the workload for the code enforcement officers,

[23:48] the one person doing two jobs and there's a lot of jobs out there to do.

[23:54] In the assistant finance director, again, there's a lot of information that needs to be

[24:00] processed and the request and the ask for the finance department, so you're increasing.

[24:08] Currently, you have two people working in that office and an apportion of the executive assistant

[24:16] administration project helps out with that office doing AP work. And obviously, if this part-time

[24:23] position were to be hired, they would take that duty back into the responsibility as well as others,

[24:30] you know, back into the finance office, but also it creates that good support system. So when

[24:40] And those times where the finance director is not in the office, the work that needs to be

[24:48] done within that office will continue to move forward, as opposed to if it's gone for

[24:54] a day or a week, that all that work is not just waiting for at the door because there's

[25:00] There's certain authorizations that she alone can do. Our current finance director, and if that shared amongst

[25:06] finance director, obviously it lights that low. So that is part of the reason why we are asking

[25:12] or persisting and asking for those for help in there. I know the question was asked by

[25:20] Councillor Sullivan is saying, you know, it would be hard to find people at a part-time level on

[25:25] positions. Absolutely. It will be hard. It's hard to find full-time positions. As you

[25:33] well know, we've been trying to hire a town engineer for the last year. And it's

[25:37] been difficult. assessors, well, we did. We were able to find a planner who, by the way, will

[25:45] starting September 21st, which is very happy about. But again, the answer to that question

[25:56] it will be tough, but we got to make the considerate effort. If this is a proof of

[26:01] other voters, to try to get help in there because it is needed.

[26:10] What we have done this

[26:12] year was a little bit different with regard to the health insurance premiums, is built into

[26:17] are proposed budget from the start, a 12% increase to our insurance.

[26:24] So each one of the health insurance lines in each one of the departments has been increased

[26:29] by 12%.

[26:31] If you remember, or you see in your budget book, that our experience in the past with regards

[26:38] to increases in health care has been 15.4% and 2026, 11.44% and 2025 and 11.40% and 2024.

[26:54] So if you all recall last year, we had a budget of about 2.5% increase, a 2.5% increase,

[27:04] But after the increases that were administered by the health trust of 15.4 percent, you know, that went to about 5 percent increase.

[27:20] And I think that aided in the budget not passing.

[27:27] you know, because that increase with healthcare was was was big. I got to come in our

[27:35] my department heads for taking that increase into their, I should say, including that increase

[27:44] into the budget, but also producing a budget that wasn't too far beyond reproach. I didn't have to

[27:53] make a whole lot of reductions in my meetings

[27:57] because the budgets that were presented were ones

[28:00] that were reflected the needs of the departments.

[28:06] So, that's what you'll find throughout the budget

[28:09] is that 12.12% is included.

[28:14] Now, come October, as we do.

[28:16] I'm sorry.

[28:18] No, you're gonna answer my question, go ahead.

[28:20] come October if we find that the insurance rates come back at say 6% that we have some discussions.

[28:30] Maybe we have some discussions with the guard to the budget at that point in time of us to what it comes down.

[28:37] What it means.

[28:39] If it comes back consistent with what has been done in the past, say 12 or if it comes back at 12% we're fine.

[28:45] We've already included that because back at, say, 15 again, then we don't have as much to make up as opposed to years past.

[28:56] Can we take a couple questions?

[28:58] Go ahead.

[28:58] Just before we get too far in it.

[29:00] Andre, definitely good information.

[29:02] But I have questions about the, at in the part-time code enforcement officer.

[29:07] But you'd also reference, when we, when you would ask for this position previously,

[29:11] it was a full time, but fire, what did you say fire prevention?

[29:15] Yeah.

[29:15] Fire inspector.

[29:17] If we have a fire prevention officer now, that's einto spary.

[29:22] And what we are looking to do is create one position that would aid both of them, both

[29:26] departments.

[29:27] One can do code enforcement officer and building, but given that some of their duties overlap,

[29:34] this would be a person that can also help out with the assembly space reviews.

[29:40] All right.

[29:40] So that's good information there, but I heard just the great fine, so it may not hold any water, but you can confirm it deny this or give me an explanation that you see fit.

[29:52] So something was said to the effect of if we were to ask for a part time employee, and it would be granted through a war.

[30:01] And that person wasn't hired for half a year, then you could literally hire a full-time employee in place of that. Is that applicable?

[30:14] I wouldn't, because we would have money in there for a part-time person, not a full-time person. And so I would.

[30:26] And I would say this last year we froze positions, as you remember, but we froze them at

[30:35] a full-time wage amount.

[30:39] At half the fiscal year went through, we were still able to, if we found financially we're

[30:46] able to move forward with that full-time position, because, you know, one, the budget look

[30:51] good and we can support it, but that was predicated on the full-time position.

[30:55] this is a part-time position. It's funny that a part-time level, therefore, I wouldn't

[31:01] hire anything more than a part-time person for that. Right, sure, but it's safe to say it wouldn't

[31:05] morph into something different because this is what we're projecting. No, no, because also a full-time

[31:11] position would have to come back before the council. If we were to move from a part-time to a full-time

[31:17] position. Okay. No, thank you. I do have one more. But I think this may be a fine answer question.

[31:26] I know we're looking at, it's showing the projected increase of 12% or 733,900, $9.00 for

[31:39] $27.28 and we put in its reference 1540 for 26. Do we know the figure for 26? Is it like

[31:49] 748 or was it 8? 800,000. You don't remember?

[31:54] Because I mean, that's something to keep in mind

[31:56] I mean, if things go up $800,000 a year and you do that three years in a row, that's a lot of money.

[32:06] Sometimes percentages are easier to overlook than an actual dollar amount, but thank you.

[32:13] Sir, I'd be ready to do you have a question?

[32:16] No, I had a comment.

[32:17] That's all right.

[32:18] I just wanted to say, regardless of what else gets said by whomever in this room,

[32:23] to 0.88% increase over default with the 12% contingency for help benefits is remarkable work.

[32:32] Thank you.

[32:35] Yeah, I tried to look at everyone that was here.

[32:38] And all of you watching at home.

[32:42] Councillor Sullivan.

[32:43] Just two questions.

[32:46] I concur with Mr. Council Lappier on that statement he just made.

[32:50] Is there a point where it would make, at what point do you believe that it would reach

[33:02] an increase in insurance is that may prompt us to eat another search for another provider?

[33:11] Is there a threshold that would require that?

[33:15] I know when it went 27, so many years ago, it prompted us to do a insurance reach.

[33:24] Is that something that is being planned or is there something that would cause that to say,

[33:30] hey, we really need to do that because 27 or whatever the amount is too high?

[33:36] I think there's a question there somewhere.

[33:37] What would prompt us, what would prompt a outreach for another insurance vendor?

[33:45] And that, I know quite sure if I would recommend,

[33:51] as you see, if I were here for that.

[33:54] I don't know if I would recommend searching for another vendor.

[33:58] I would, maybe look at our plans.

[34:01] I know part of the plan in the future is to look at percentages as to, as to, as to,

[34:05] of the 100% paid plans, look at possibly looking at a co-payment for that. First, or

[34:12] work with our vendor to see whether their programs are out there that are maybe more

[34:19] cost-effective. So before I would jump to you because what I noticed when the risk pool issue

[34:29] was hot and heavy in last year or two year before.

[34:34] There weren't a whole lot of vendors out there.

[34:36] In fact, I think more in the shuddering their doors

[34:41] than opening up as a result of that whole episode there.

[34:48] So, but on the other hand, I found that our current provider,

[34:52] I think does a good job of being cautious about cost

[34:57] and how those caused our spread amongst them.

[35:00] There, there are constituents. Maybe I may be a jump to the extreme of a complete different vendor, but not necessarily a vendor, a revisiting of the plans that we optioned. Is there something that would maybe prompt us to say, hey, what we're having now would prompt us to maybe tweak the offer, offering things, is there something that would cause that to say, hey, we'll be on that point. We really need to start looking for another option.

[35:30] on the insurance is not the vendor.

[35:37] I guess that's a lot of factors that goes into that, you know, that we would have to take a look at first before we, we, we, we, we go to that extreme, you know, doesn't hurt, I mean it doesn't hurt to put it out the bed.

[35:50] Should we start looking, looking at the plants that we offer now to see if we can tweak it?

[35:58] Well, I know that that's part of what's being done.

[36:01] Okay, you know, so that's always being done. Okay, good. And then if something comes along that says, hey, this is something we should consider changing this type of plan versus

[36:11] X plan that you would bring for that from HR or from the administrator. Okay. All right. So you're doing that. I just in my mind, it's want to have that we confirm. So thank you.

[36:28] I'm still in the overview and again, one of the, so we just talked about health.

[36:33] the health care costs and what the 12% inclusion that we included in this year's budget.

[36:42] The employer, what actually went down by 8.2% is our share of the new hands-to-retirement.

[36:51] So there is a savings of approximately $173,000 as a result of that, which was good

[36:56] and that helped with the overall.

[36:58] So, a lot went into that 1.24% increase over last year's budget and this reduction is one of them.

[37:07] The budget does support requests for direct contribution for the hook tonight's council

[37:13] at following the council's lead from this year of re-instablishing that amount in our default budget.

[37:21] I put it in for next year's budget for the Council's consideration as well as some funding for our old home days and that up to the 11.5 percent.

[37:33] 11,500 dollars in the past, but I believe there's 5,000 dollars in there to, you know, towards the old home day for 2028, 2027, I should say.

[37:53] The assessing additional funds to higher temporary office help using an agency and that

[38:00] will be shown in professional services.

[38:06] So if we, if we do get somebody as assessor, we just, that is this to help out the existing

[38:13] personnel there, the clerk and processing all the information. That is a two-person operation

[38:21] and there has been for a long time. At least for the last four years, I think, five years,

[38:31] it's been a two-person operation with assistance through agency help with the,

[38:43] maybe,

[38:43] our cyclicals that are done out in the field.

[38:48] The community development department

[38:51] includes update for the traffic impact rates.

[38:53] Currently we have the

[38:57] Parks and Recreation fee, the public safety fee, which includes

[39:01] police and fire.

[39:04] And traffic is the next one that is on tap to update.

[39:08] Again, the last update was done.

[39:10] I believe in 2000.

[39:12] and eight, I believe, for the traffic impact fee and therefore it's due.

[39:21] The town welfare line, as you'll see, and I believe that's the first department that is coming up.

[39:27] It has been reduced by $8,000.

[39:31] I think our director, family services director, has been doing a good job of managing the funds.

[39:36] There, and felt we felt confident that reducing that well for a line that 8,000 hours still live,

[39:44] left enough in there to provide the services that we need to provide for hook to it.

[39:50] But also includes new funds for the home health and hospice care and, and Patricia Kruzso will be able to talk a little bit more about.

[40:00] That when we meet with us on this particular department individually.

[40:06] Finance, the budget includes funds for a part-time system finance director, which I mentioned earlier.

[40:13] The new position will support the operation and ensure redundancy in the finance department.

[40:18] The fire department includes funding for a frozen firefighter.

[40:22] I should remember last year default budget.

[40:24] We froze those positions and this is to obviously bring it back to full staffing for next year.

[40:35] And that's staffing and includes PFAS free personal protection equipment and training exercise

[40:42] for the emergency operations center.

[40:46] The police department budget includes funds for the frozen officer as well, that we bring

[40:53] on the full staffing and additional funds for vehicle maintenance and fuel.

[40:59] We didn't go as high as we went in the past years, but we didn't given that the, actually,

[41:08] We originally were projecting using $3.25 for gas, but given that gas is spiked in the past

[41:18] future.

[41:18] Our near future, we use 360 as the SML4 for gas and 380 for diesel.

[41:27] So we had to accomplish that, especially for those agencies such as DPDF, fire, and police

[41:33] that obviously I have a reliance on vehicles.

[41:38] Obviously those fuel costs went up accordingly.

[41:45] One moment, do you want to wait for them to present there?

[41:50] I should do it.

[41:51] Yeah.

[41:52] It's a better year.

[41:54] Okay.

[41:55] They might answer more questions that we said.

[41:57] It is directed to them.

[41:59] Which means you have to go find them.

[42:00] Thank you.

[42:02] All right.

[42:02] And let's see, and I'll not wrap this up so the DPW Department division has funds for a frozen truck driver's position, bringing the full staffing as well, to strike lines and all the town rows, reduction of $600,000,000 sort of row paving we talked about that earlier into a separate warn article.

[42:28] The parks division, additional funds would be added to purchase a new zero-term moor to pave the end to pave the roads behind the head cemetery chapel.

[42:40] I should say funding was included to pave the roads behind the head cemetery chapel. Both items have been delayed for three years due to the default budget.

[42:49] And recycling and transfer the tipping fee line has increased by 4%

[42:54] to the long-term contract that we have for trash removal.

[42:58] And there's no funds to reimburse the condol association.

[43:01] We ended that program last year,

[43:05] basically at this time.

[43:08] The proposed budget does support

[43:10] transition being open every other Saturday,

[43:13] so we can continue with that program

[43:19] And under the library's trustee's budget, the restoring some of the hours that were reduced

[43:27] in 2016, 7 currently, the library opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 7.

[43:33] I'm going to use the Thursday, the proposed budget will allow the library to meet the demands

[43:37] of the public and open at 930 and each day and close at 730.

[43:42] additional funds for books and material, the backbone of the library, and the building

[43:49] maintenance has been increased by $3,500, bringing to budget amounts to $22,500.

[43:56] This remains the 11,800 and 2, below the average annual expenditure for the $34,032 over

[44:05] last five years. And so the TA recommended operating budget is $651,616 or $2.88 higher

[44:16] than the default budget. And again, 1.24% over last year's budget.

[44:26] And that, I'm Chair, the 2.8 is the 1.24 is what, within your jurisdiction, the 2.8

[44:35] would include the library.

[44:37] So if you add the library, it's 2.88 increase.

[44:41] Is that right?

[44:42] Over the default budget.

[44:43] Yeah, over the default.

[44:44] OK, thank you.

[44:54] And so the first item is family services.

[44:59] .

[45:25] We can go

[45:33] to the matrix itself. And in the way this is set up, we have the, obviously, the spreadsheet version of this, that you can see.

[45:43] can see the comparison to what's been, yeah,

[45:46] what's been approved for this year,

[45:48] what to be and put together for next year

[45:50] and how that compares.

[45:53] And on the second to the last column on your right-hand side,

[46:00] you'll see the difference between the last year's budget

[46:03] and this year's budget, the polls budget,

[46:06] and where the increases and decreases come.

[46:09] So for example, as I mentioned, the under the welfare line,

[46:13] And I know it's skipping down.

[46:14] We can go back to anything you want to go back to, but I

[46:17] can back to it.

[46:18] But on the welfare line, in my introduction,

[46:21] I said that that rose reduced by $8,000.

[46:23] That's where that is represented there.

[46:26] So the amount that was approved in this year's budget

[46:29] that we're operating now is $58,000.

[46:33] What we're proposing to move forward with that line is $50,000

[46:37] for $20, 28.

[46:40] And again,

[46:51] the overall increase to the family services budget is 0.81% over the 27 budget.

[47:09] And that is relatively minor adjustment on within, I think.

[47:18] I'm trying to think of it that XEV increased comfort.

[47:23] Because there was a reduction in the,

[47:27] I actually that does include the increase in health care.

[47:30] Actually, no health care is not enough.

[47:32] Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[47:33] From care and arts, right?

[47:34] Good work.

[47:35] Fine.

[47:36] Minds.

[47:37] I think it was, uh, salary in the home,

[47:42] help in hospice care.

[47:43] Thank you.

[47:44] So, $99.99.

[47:46] Because we always budget $1 for that line, and that's increased by $1,000.

[47:58] So with that, is there any questions?

[48:01] If you would have scroll down further on that budget, you'll see the individual breakdown

[48:07] of the cost, if that's something you want to delve into.

[48:16] Yeah, Councillor Sullivan, have a.

[48:20] First of all, thank you.

[48:22] It's good to see that the budget's going down.

[48:26] I'm just looking at on page 77 in your summary.

[48:32] It says, recent months, hook the family service that increase in older adult seeking services.

[48:39] So I'm just trying to inject suppose the decrease, which is good, with the rights in the

[48:48] man's how are you?

[48:49] How is that balance?

[48:50] We're asking, we're getting more requests for services, but you're reducing the budget.

[48:55] That's amazing, but how are you accomplishing that?

[48:58] It's not overall an increase in request for services.

[49:03] Families are not coming in as often as they used to that.

[49:10] That level of request has gone down a little bit.

[49:14] So now the populations that we're seeing across the state

[49:19] that are increasing for a request of assistance

[49:21] are the elderly population.

[49:24] And so, presents its own challenges in that their traditionally hasn't been a lot of focus

[49:33] on benefits for seniors across the state, but those focuses are being considered by state

[49:44] and county welfare offices now, so we're finding more support there for them.

[49:51] And the other other question is, which I think you said isn't kind of new,

[49:55] or if not new, the home health and hospital care is that new in white.

[50:00] Is that new? So, why is it being added? At one time, hooks it did fund home health and hospital care.

[50:11] And I don't know historically why it got reduced that happened before I was in this position, but they have recently reached back out to us, requesting funding from the town.

[50:24] They have had reduction in funding from other sources and residents in the town that are getting their support.

[50:34] Don't always have insurance that will cover those expenses.

[50:40] So they're looking to see if the town will support for those residents that wouldn't have health insurance to come from that benefit.

[50:49] It just went follow up and I'll stop on that, so home health care is not necessarily inexpensive.

[51:00] So a thousand dollars really doesn't go a long way to assist even.

[51:06] So a thousand dollars really is not a lot to ask with a request for assistance on home health care,

[51:13] because you could that they can run very expensive for a month monthly cost.

[51:18] So why a thousand they did ask for three I remember correctly and being conservative with the fact that the residents and voters here have been

[51:30] Voting as a default budget

[51:33] I'm trying to balance that you know, I have a fiduciary responsibility to taxpayers as well as responsibility to assist those people who need aid

[51:44] All right, thank you

[51:46] Appreciate it

[51:48] Question is, you reference day multiple times. Is this, is that a state agency that you're saying they?

[51:57] I'm not sure. Well, like you were saying, you know, I wanted to interject soon or so.

[52:03] I could, I could use the sentence. You said, but when you were referencing your numbers, you used the word day multiple times.

[52:09] I mean, is that something that you can actually review when you use it? No, you can.

[52:13] So like home health and off hospice when you refer to that is day.

[52:17] Yeah, is that our residents?

[52:19] Yeah.

[52:20] I just want to confirm that it's not like, you know, like a fed thing.

[52:23] We're there over viewing some of this stuff or, or.

[52:26] So if we were discussing home health and hospice care and I said,

[52:30] They, that's why men.

[52:30] Okay. So you're talking to people who are receiving it.

[52:33] Yes.

[52:34] The agency that would thank you.

[52:35] I was just, I assume that's what it was.

[52:38] But I know it was an outside forest.

[52:40] And I'm like, I got to understand it for some different.

[52:41] Thank you.

[52:42] Dan. Thank you. And I don't, and you can correct me for

[52:45] Ron. I don't think home, home, house, is care is a federal agency.

[52:50] I believe it's this the nonprofit agency for focused on helping.

[52:56] Yeah. Those in need. I'm something they get.

[52:58] They get various grant funding that comes and goes.

[53:01] And they also get a lot of donations.

[53:04] And that's right. So I don't want the council to think that

[53:07] of the $999 supporting everybody.

[53:11] It's this our share going to a gigapot

[53:13] that they can provide the service.

[53:16] I have to say after last year, you also

[53:18] cut quite a bit where you could.

[53:23] And for an increase of little over 1,000,

[53:25] that's pretty amazing to serve so many.

[53:29] So that's very reasonable.

[53:32] Hair to know what all the agencies in New Hampshire

[53:35] providing and have available to the residents in our town and really our office is meant to be

[53:44] temporary urgent care to get them to the point where they have whatever other resources are

[53:49] available to them long term.

[53:52] That's great.

[53:54] Thank you.

[53:57] Any other questions or comments?

[54:01] Will we let her off the hook?

[54:04] Good job.

[54:05] Thank you.

[54:06] All right.

[54:08] Thank you for your time.

[54:10] Chair, just a question, procedurally.

[54:12] I know it varies, but traditionally, after it's presented, we kind of make a motion

[54:19] to accept, at least, preliminary, the budget presented for this department.

[54:25] Is that what you would like to do again?

[54:27] Do you want to hold?

[54:28] What do you want to do or do it?

[54:30] I want to.

[54:31] I will.

[54:32] I will.

[54:32] So how do you want to handle that?

[54:34] Is the S suggestion I can do it either way, but I've been more than happy.

[54:37] Did you come back before?

[54:39] Come back to us.

[54:40] No, we're going to have our suggestions.

[54:43] And then if I remember correctly, we're still, this is a preliminary, like yes, okay.

[54:49] Or then we do.

[54:52] Then after that.

[54:53] Yeah.

[54:54] After you hear everything, it doesn't prevent you from after our next meeting, which is two weeks from

[55:00] Now, when we finish all the departments, nothing prevents you from opening up anything to say, now that I

[55:07] seen the bottom line, maybe there are some areas that you want to revisit. Nothing

[55:12] per clues that, at least it just gives us an idea, let's do.

[55:17] I guess I thought in the past, because we can do that at the end, it didn't make a whole lot of sense

[55:22] to me that we did it after each one.

[55:27] And the reason why I ask him times it's good to say, hey, the council feels very comfortable with this department.

[55:34] So the department doesn't have to be in.

[55:36] Oh, are they going to?

[55:37] Okay.

[55:38] So you want to hold off until the end.

[55:41] And then each individual will make individual motion.

[55:45] Thank you.

[55:46] Thank you.

[55:47] Thank you.

[55:48] I'm going to ask a question.

[55:49] And I also was wondering, with that being the procedure that you're going to use, would

[55:56] there be opportunity that you might call somebody back up during the same meeting with

[56:02] further questions.

[56:04] Yeah.

[56:07] Yeah.

[56:07] Like tonight?

[56:07] Yeah.

[56:08] I wouldn't.

[56:09] You could go home.

[56:10] Yeah.

[56:12] Thank you.

[56:13] I think it's just good.

[56:14] Because we'll have time to think it over and in a future meeting.

[56:19] Yeah.

[56:20] And also there's questions that come up to and between say now in our next budget meeting that has to do with if you can get those to me

[56:30] I can get that to her and that way we can just come back and have those questions ready to be answered

[56:38] Thank you for clarifying that process because we some years we do this and we as we do, but I just want to know what you what you thought was

[56:45] made sense and I certainly would agree with you

[56:48] request. Thank you again, thank you for the rest of the night.

[56:58] Yeah, you know. All right. I know we mentioned moving tax collector around, but she's here.

[57:07] Yeah.

[57:07] What's your?

[57:09] That'd be right.

[57:12] Get it while you're here.

[57:14] All right.

[57:14] That's a good idea.

[57:16] Thank you.

[57:18] Thank you.

[57:20] I wrote a couple down, but some room I don't see it.

[57:23] I can't see the situation.

[57:24] I'm just going to put that on.

[57:25] I'm just going to put it on.

[57:27] I'm just going to put it on.

[57:32] Figure it out.

[57:34] I'm going to leave me.

[57:37] All right.

[57:38] So before you know, is the tax collecting collectors office?

[57:43] have a budget of $382,277 dollars, which is $16,890 over last year's budget, or $4.62

[57:54] increase.

[57:59] You go to the spreadsheet.

[58:01] You can see and the change aisle, which again, and I'll call them.

[58:07] You can see 11,000 of that is due to employees.

[58:12] A tool of the four employees in the task collector offices part of the union, and those union

[58:19] increases are a factor then there as well.

[58:25] And again, the health insurance was increased, so that's 72702,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,

[58:32] and five dollars represents that 12% increase over the preceding year.

[58:38] And then the remaining, as you can see, there's some additions, but there are also some reductions along the way, as you work your way down towards the final total.

[58:52] So, this kind of want to hit those highlights and take on any questions that you may have. Also, too, as you can see under retirement, that was reduced and that reduction is reflected in her budget as well.

[59:25] return receipt.

[59:33] I don't look ups and enough.

[59:35] That's five. Go right ahead.

[59:38] All right, no fighting.

[59:39] Okay, I'll go ahead.

[59:42] I just was wondering if the feeling is that the tax office has the right number of staff.

[59:52] Meaning more than four or less than four.

[59:55] Do you have the right number?

[59:56] Yes, at four.

[59:57] I have four.

[59:59] Yeah.

[1:00:01] Okay.

[1:00:05] On the two clerk's mid-management, is that figure both pay or is that a single pay? That's the two combined, the 99, 99, 86.

[1:00:17] I'm sorry, where are you looking at the 99? Full-time wages. Full-time wages?

[1:00:23] Yes.

[1:00:23] Yes, that would be the truth.

[1:00:25] Let's do it in half.

[1:00:27] Yeah.

[1:00:27] I don't like that.

[1:00:28] Do you want to take that?

[1:00:32] Thank you.

[1:00:53] Don't go inside some of them.

[1:00:55] Um, just a question.

[1:00:58] I'm going to health insurance.

[1:00:59] You said this for.

[1:01:01] But you confirmed is what you need.

[1:01:03] But it just has one single one family went off doubt.

[1:01:07] Correct.

[1:01:08] What is it?

[1:01:08] Fourth one.

[1:01:09] So, there's one employee who is on a stipend because of the arrangement they have, one has insurance through another employee in the town.

[1:01:21] And then there's two of us on insurance.

[1:01:23] All right.

[1:01:24] Okay, I can, oh, tell them.

[1:01:26] Can I make the assumption that that newest one is on the stipend plan?

[1:01:30] No.

[1:01:31] No.

[1:01:31] Okay.

[1:01:31] So, and it doesn't list the stipend for that fourth person where would that be worth it?

[1:01:39] It's listed it should be listed on there.

[1:01:42] Oh, okay

[1:01:44] All right, but there's no

[1:01:46] Yeah, I'm trying to catch up. Yeah, so the sink. There's a sink. All right. No, so there's a cause for the stipend for the

[1:01:53] In the single look. Okay, I see it there go I see it right down below. Sorry. No, no. No, I said to catch a real bait. I just didn't really

[1:02:01] it right.

[1:02:12] Okay. Okay. One is opt out and one is the stipend. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. There we go.

[1:02:49] Everybody. Any other questions or comments?

[1:02:56] Good.

[1:03:03] All right.

[1:03:06] Thank you. Thank you guys for your time. I appreciate it. Have a good night.

[1:03:12] Thank you. Thank you. All right. Next up is Public Works.

[1:03:35] So with the five pages that again, one third, yeah, one third.

[1:03:40] Thank you.

[1:03:41] Or we can go in order highway parks and then we're cycling.

[1:03:48] I believe overall of the five million,

[1:03:53] three hundred and seventy thousand,

[1:03:57] seventy-one dollars is a minus of 284,959

[1:04:02] or minus five percent reduction from the less than a 20, 20, 7 budget. As we

[1:04:12] alluded to earlier, that's primarily due to the pavement program being

[1:04:16] taking out of the budget and being proposed as a more and article.

[1:04:25] And also this

[1:04:25] budget, that's reflected, has been stated before and other budgets. A 12% increase in

[1:04:30] care cost was included and but other than that we can go through each one of the

[1:04:42] departments the divisions and

[1:04:49] you know have questions on the way I have the

[1:04:52] spreadsheet can we I'm sorry thank you I just want to really lay out

[1:05:00] The resurfacing funding, because I feel like it's going to come up again. The way that we try to get to

[1:05:07] 900,000 by putting 300,000 in the budget and putting 600,000 in a five-year, warn article, that

[1:05:13] 600,000 per year passed for five years. And what we did during the default budgets is we got rid

[1:05:21] of the 300,000 that was in the budget by itself. So we still have been doing 600,000

[1:05:27] dollars of paving every year.

[1:05:33] And when the study that we originally did said we need to do

[1:05:36] $900,000 worth of paving. In order to get to, I don't know, at level, so you could eat dinner

[1:05:41] off the streets.

[1:05:42] I don't think I know.

[1:05:43] Well, actually, you know, Huxit had been doing a good job of maintaining the roads. And to maintain

[1:05:49] that good job, that the premier that you can eat off of, but you can maybe have a dessert off

[1:05:55] of it.

[1:05:55] Yeah, I'll tell you my street looks like spaghetti because of all the seal cracking on it. So if you want to put my street on the top of the list

[1:06:05] Don't put my street on the top of the list. I look really bad

[1:06:09] However, I think we should however

[1:06:12] That approach

[1:06:14] Kind of

[1:06:15] Backstop this in the past because if the worn article failed we still had 300k of paving in the budget and

[1:06:22] When the worn article passed then we had that 300k buffer to deal with default

[1:06:27] budget. So we've been able to maintain the roads by taking an approach, a balanced approach

[1:06:34] of budget versus worn article, and I just want to point that out, since we're on that line

[1:06:38] out of rare.

[1:06:44] So there's no money for a paving in the operating budget. No. Okay. And if we did

[1:06:53] the approach to about maybe doing as we did before 300 in the budget and 600 to complement

[1:06:59] that to get to the 900, which is that eating off a road that looks like spaghetti.

[1:07:06] What would, if we did add $300,000, is that a, instead of being $1.24, I don't know what

[1:07:14] that would increase the, that would still be under two percent.

[1:07:17] Well, I would, and just want to, and Ben can correct me if I'm wrong, but if you, right now,

[1:07:22] the overall budget

[1:07:29] is $284,959 less than the last year.

[1:07:38] So if you add $300,000 to that, you'll be adding, I guess, $555,000, more.

[1:07:46] Okay, so that would not look too bad for budget president aging.

[1:07:51] if we added the renewables still only, not percent of the money, so the worst case scenario,

[1:07:59] if we do not put the $300,000 in, and we do not get the $600,000, or $900,000, or whatever,

[1:08:08] that may be what's the plan to address any road pavement or

[1:08:20] what would happen?

[1:08:21] We would maintain potholes, minor cotton repaves within the highway road maintenance budget line.

[1:08:37] So, certainly there would be less that could be done.

[1:08:41] I mean, no new road to be resurfaced, but potholes would be repaired.

[1:08:46] You know, certain areas that are cracking or, you know, those, those repairs could be done, but, you know, it'd be limited.

[1:08:57] Just one follow-up.

[1:09:01] What, collectively, between the administration, the administrative and you, the use of resurfacing.

[1:09:09] Are you comfortable?

[1:09:11] Throwing that dice to see.

[1:09:14] I mean you would you would go one year and clearly explain why that one article makes sense.

[1:09:22] Yes, versus that one.

[1:09:24] So I did want to touch on more is what Andre was stating when he did his introduction that we are assessing the roads currently.

[1:09:33] And then through.

[1:09:34] So we have this technology that we've been driving around the roads all last week and a week before that is scanning all the roads that light our.

[1:09:42] I don't know if you saw that instrument on the town vehicle,

[1:09:45] but we have driven every town roadway, collecting all that data.

[1:09:50] So that's gonna have a very good visual presentation

[1:09:55] that I will bring in two council

[1:09:57] when we talk about warm articles for paving.

[1:10:00] And that's a online web-based software program. It will give you a Google Street View and it will highlight every crack, pot hole, any type of issue that is with the roadway.

[1:10:16] It will summarize roadways, what ones are the worst, what ones are the best, and you can drill down and look where those areas that need to be worked on.

[1:10:25] And it's a very good visual aid and a presentation to the public to counsel and it will help

[1:10:34] to develop our budget for that war article for five years.

[1:10:40] So there will be more to present when we talk about the war article and I'll demonstrate

[1:10:46] this web-based program and show everybody the tools that we have and I think with that you

[1:10:52] can show the public and everybody, you know, the plan and approach to the next five years of

[1:10:59] how we want to spend the dollars and also exactly what we want to try to aim for a budget

[1:11:05] because I heard 900,000 being spoken earlier, you know, I don't know right now that's getting

[1:11:13] the information finalized yet. If that's truly where we want to be at, you know, as Andre mentioned,

[1:11:19] Do we want to maintain, are we going to not maintain with 900,000 years that could have

[1:11:23] still degrade our roads and our score ratings going to continue going down?

[1:11:27] So that information is going to be presented to kind of help us hone in on what we think

[1:11:32] the best budget is for forpaving.

[1:11:35] It should be noted to that you figure that that 900,000 dollars in maintaining our road at a

[1:11:40] good level was 20, 20, 20 figures.

[1:11:43] And the 2026-27 or 2027-28 figures are going to be, I'm guessing, going to be different.

[1:11:51] So ultimately comes down to whether we want to roll the dice with not having any in the operating budget or half and half.

[1:12:00] Well, thank you.

[1:12:02] Yes, yes.

[1:12:02] I mean, if you only have a couple hundred thousand dollars in the operating budget, can we do a lot of paving?

[1:12:08] no, we could focus on one or two roads or some other treatments that are kind of spread that

[1:12:15] dollars, the dollars out. But ultimately, that little bit of money, it'll help, but it

[1:12:21] won't certainly do a lot.

[1:12:24] So, and I think we've heard from, like, they like to know what they're spending that money

[1:12:31] on. And I think that they would like to see that that is a war and article that they can

[1:12:38] decide and do their research,

[1:12:42] and so versus just part of the budget, and then you don't really know.

[1:12:49] I see.

[1:12:50] And again, this is another thing that, again, bring correct me if I'm wrong.

[1:12:53] But I just remember back at the, actually, even the town before this, we did the same kind of analysis.

[1:12:59] But I think there's a hierarchy of roadway maintenance.

[1:13:03] You know, there's the crack ceiling that I think you spoke about earlier.

[1:13:05] the shim and overlay, and then there's a total reconstruction, you know, that the road to

[1:13:11] this at a level where you really got a strip of tape down to the base and work the way back up.

[1:13:17] I don't think there's another level if it's different.

[1:13:20] They have a newer thing called microcealing, fogcealing.

[1:13:27] There's various levels, but it's all about, you know, do you want to do more minor preventative maintenance,

[1:13:34] or do you want to wait till your road is to the point of full

[1:13:37] reclamation, like Andre just mentioned.

[1:13:40] If we can get on the path of doing a portion of our budget

[1:13:44] to in full road repairs, and then a lot of it is maintenance and

[1:13:49] trying to extend that life of the roadway, that is historically

[1:13:52] shown to make your budget go further into the future,

[1:13:56] because you're not doing the most costly correction to that road.

[1:14:04] And it's not germane to the road paving, but I think road maintenance construction materials, I have a number, but it was 60,000, it's a 10,000 increase, I had just a question.

[1:14:19] Yeah, so like this year, that 10,000 increase.

[1:14:22] Yeah, it was previously at that. This year, this default, we lowered it to 10, 5, 10,000 to 15, just to get through this year's default.

[1:14:31] So the intent was to get that bump back up to where it was prior years. Okay, so it's not it's going back to what we we

[1:14:39] Quest in the past. All right, thank you. Thank you. Yeah

[1:14:46] So we covered the overall at about 5% less going into the highway division. You know that is about 13% less than the 2027 budget

[1:15:00] The $2,869, which is $428,826 less than the 27 budget and moving down to the spreadsheet again, taking into consideration the increase in the health care.

[1:15:26] It does support this DPW in general is has supported by two, yes, two unions, the DPW union and the middle management union and therefore those in the employee and the full ton of employees, you'll see reflected the approved budgets and what those are going to be.

[1:15:55] And there are, your executive staff is longing, I believe, correct.

[1:16:10] And again, healthcare costs were increased by 12% here, as well as all the other divisions.

[1:16:16] And the retirement was reduced in accordance with the savings that we derived this year as

[1:16:24] So

[1:16:31] obviously the first section of the employees and benefits and then you have the professional

[1:16:39] services.

[1:16:41] You

[1:16:45] see an increase under the road maintenance professional services of 33,000, 500 dollars.

[1:16:54] That was a put line striping in that year.

[1:16:57] So this current year, we don't have line striping in the budget.

[1:17:01] We're going to go every other year for line striping.

[1:17:06] And this will be an obviously at all a year.

[1:17:11] We, technically, we carried over last year.

[1:17:14] We, in comfort last year's line striping to do it this summer.

[1:17:18] So next summer, we won't do any line striping.

[1:17:22] And then the following spring, we will do line striping.

[1:17:24] And

[1:17:38] so that is the professional service area moving on to professional services and rental.

[1:17:47] Is there any questions?

[1:17:51] The $3,000 increase, that's under road maintenance.

[1:17:55] The road maintenance, vehicle maintenance.

[1:17:58] The increase of that is any questions on that increase or any other.

[1:18:07] did you see in that category?

[1:18:18] Do you guys take time to re-throw highway division, but give us a nod if the questions

[1:18:27] are point more explanations?

[1:18:35] And even though I pointed out some of the higher amounts, if you look at the total for that

[1:18:44] particular grouping, you know, it's a $5,150 increase, because when you factor in the decreases

[1:18:51] that were made as a result of the review,

[1:18:56] you can see their end result of that.

[1:19:00] If there's no questions on that, now we get to see the other category, which is telephones,

[1:19:05] advertising postage mileage, that is based on what we do have, but you know, for that,

[1:19:13] decrease by $100,

[1:19:16] and that's sector moving on supplies.

[1:19:22] That has an increase of $12,128, which is the primary

[1:19:28] factor there is the electrical, some

[1:19:37] of that back with the

[1:19:38] Ebola array.

[1:19:41] That electrical is that wiring up the contractors?

[1:19:45] No, that's this town building electric, so DPW pays all the electric bills for ever source, so it's all grouped in there.

[1:19:56] The rate is by the usage is what you...

[1:20:00] We see reflected in that line.

[1:20:07] Moving on the property, do equipment resurfacing, construction materials. I think you're

[1:20:13] going to ask that question regarding that, but ending in time building, is that TV, time building? Yes.

[1:20:31] And again, the big reduction there is a resurfacing that we've been talking about.

[1:20:39] So any other question

[1:20:40] that division before we move to Parks and Rec.

[1:20:50] If anyone has questions later on, you know, certainly we'll answer anything if you

[1:20:55] guys think of it later.

[1:20:58] How are the vehicles doing?

[1:21:00] Hold them up, yep, we got great mechanics, they do everything they can to keep everything

[1:21:07] going, nothing goes out on the road if it has warning lights on it, you know, so we're doing

[1:21:14] well.

[1:21:15] All right,

[1:21:22] so the parking recreation and cemetery division that is up 10.31% from which is an increase with a budget of 819,426 dollars, which is 76,556 over the 27 budget,

[1:21:47] moving down to

[1:21:52] the payroll and benefits section.

[1:21:54] section that have an overall increase of $8,361.

[1:22:01] I believe, much like the last division, as still represents there are union members

[1:22:07] part of this division, and those increases are reflected in that line.

[1:22:15] Insurance, again, that 13,000 represents the overall insurance that 12% increase over the last year.

[1:22:23] amount,

[1:22:30] I think that takes up a line share, especially when you reduce by the amounts that

[1:22:37] were reduced one during the retirement, the other one for over time.

[1:22:53] All right, property service in rental isn't actually the software programs there, and there

[1:22:59] And this is a minor increase in that, and that's the software for that is covers for

[1:23:07] maybe one.

[1:23:09] That's the cemetery professional services, right?

[1:23:16] Yes.

[1:23:16] Professional services, yeah.

[1:23:18] Park your wreck, professional services.

[1:23:22] I apologize, guys.

[1:23:24] We get the program that we run for that particular one.

[1:23:27] So that is covering our GPS for the vehicles.

[1:23:29] have and as well as checkmate for our, that's right, you're sure to checkmate, and that's

[1:23:38] our

[1:23:38] clock-in program.

[1:23:44] All right, property services and rental covers ground maintenance, water,

[1:23:52] equipment maintenance, vehicle maintenance, ground maintenance, and rental leases.

[1:23:57] There was an increase in this particular area of $45,000, $89,

[1:24:06] and that's primary we do to the

[1:24:09] Yeah, that was for that, the paving that we put in the budget at a request by Cemetery Commission for Head's Head Cemetery.

[1:24:29] I believe the plan is to put in more fences at Denati as part of that project that the project manager was working on.

[1:24:41] And I see that we've got Fence repairs to all parks for $5,000.

[1:24:49] So is that include the additional potential fencing that we might-

[1:24:56] Well, you're hope you're offering a new fencing, you're not repairing it.

[1:25:00] Next year.

[1:25:01] But, you know, we do have limbs and trees that come down in storms. We had one that hit the dog park this spring and one of the storms. So we had to repair a section of fence there.

[1:25:12] Thank you.

[1:25:21] Going down to the other category, which has telephone internet in all-home day. I believe there's funding in there for all three categories with a slight reduction in the phone service.

[1:25:51] Under Supplies we have marked office supplies our recreation supplies safety electrical and fuel again the fuel we

[1:26:05] We're using

[1:26:07] 360 for gas and 380 for diesel

[1:26:11] I believe you have a mostly gas in the p

[1:26:16] parking right right mostly yes yes is in a highway division that you're mostly diesel as a

[1:26:23] host the highway and transfer mostly diesel

[1:26:33] and then a new equipment parked in

[1:26:35] wreck of 185 I believe that's what the zero turn yes so we've tried getting this

[1:26:47] on the operating budget the last three years and unfortunately operating budget

[1:26:51] doesn't get passed. So this is one of our last oldest moors to replace in the fleet for

[1:26:58] the department.

[1:27:05] And that is the last part of Parking Rack and Cemetery Division.

[1:27:12] On the Parking Rack, the school feels, is Parking Rack maintaining most of those?

[1:27:20] What's the mix? Yes. Okay, because I thought we do Moe, Kali.

[1:27:27] We do something at some memorial.

[1:27:31] We don't do as much as we would for denotty fields and Peter's broke.

[1:27:37] But there is maintenance there, but I think the big one is Kali that we do.

[1:27:42] We're going to talk about having him give us some other big budget.

[1:27:47] Yeah, I mean, it, you move it from ours, it goes to theirs, it still goes to the tax rate too, but I would, if we could get it off our, our crew, you know, it would certainly help them, but it's right now.

[1:28:00] Because you don't do the school around the school, because I pretty, pretty sure that's in house on all situations for schools. It's more the fields fields.

[1:28:08] All right. Thank you.

[1:28:12] Okay, no questions.

[1:28:14] All right.

[1:28:17] Okay, recycling and transfer.

[1:28:22] That has a budget of $1,688,367, which is the increase of 67,311 dollars, which represents

[1:28:34] 1.1 percent more.

[1:28:37] This year's budget down over last year's.

[1:28:41] I mean, the proposed budget, and then this year, so I should say.

[1:28:53] And again, under on payroll, again, I believe this is mostly the DPW Union, I believe, and those

[1:29:05] costs are cared for and they're in the projections for pay,

[1:29:14] holding fast and over time.

[1:29:18] And overall, there's a $20,000 one hundred and seventy-two dollar increase over last year in these categories.

[1:29:30] It's like reduction in over time.

[1:29:33] I believe we use the average over five years in that category.

[1:29:43] Benefits,

[1:29:46] again, factoring in the top of the Senate for health care cost, which represents the final line share,

[1:29:53] if not all of the $8,696 and the remainder.

[1:30:03] Thank you. There's health insurance twice. What is one for a rate? There's like insurance for admin and then recycling transfers.

[1:30:12] Yeah, you got three subdivisions.

[1:30:15] Okay.

[1:30:17] So each one of those have been the 12% had been applied for 4% of those categories, I should say.

[1:30:28] Well, a total increase of 20,000, 20,000, $23,821.

[1:30:34] Yes.

[1:30:34] Yes, just question about the recycled insurance for over time. Is that does that represent basically the cost of

[1:30:43] sat the Saturday?

[1:30:46] Not just Saturday, but

[1:30:48] This budget reflects carrying through the every other Saturday

[1:30:53] There's recycled and transfer of advisory meetings that the crew chief goes to so that's over time

[1:30:59] would it be safe to say

[1:31:01] If they were willing, and we wanted to open the transfer station every Saturday that this would be less than double, then it would be more, I think it's in the $15,000 range for over time.

[1:31:18] You did it out.

[1:31:20] Yes.

[1:31:20] That's hard, you know, we've got three people at staff and on a Saturday.

[1:31:25] You have 52 Saturdays to staff, so that's 156 positions to fill, and it's a mix of

[1:31:34] you know, admin and collection drivers and disposal drivers at work this year.

[1:31:39] Yeah, so the budget says 9,000, and you're saying that every Saturday it could be open for

[1:31:43] somewhere around 15.

[1:31:46] broken up between the admin collections and disposal over time lines so there's three

[1:31:51] overtime lines in that division because you have different classifications

[1:31:57] no Jesus so okay so it's 11,000, 11,000 and 9,000 is the total overtime right now

[1:32:04] our budget yes okay so it's not 9,000 it's 31,750

[1:32:11] I haven't added up, but I just did it in my head.

[1:32:14] Okay. I'll trust you.

[1:32:16] It's not a hard man.

[1:32:19] Okay, thank you.

[1:32:29] I just want to mention that when we went from every Saturday to every other Saturday,

[1:32:35] there wasn't actually a change in the revenue generated from the recycling and transfer.

[1:32:42] Actually, if you think about it saved money by doing every other week

[1:32:48] Yeah, it's a good person makes sense, but

[1:32:52] The revenue stayed the same, but the cost went down

[1:32:57] Mondays get crazier though. Oh, I was just gonna say yeah, yeah

[1:33:01] Yeah, he was still had trash

[1:33:02] The way the next day or wait until it was open. Yeah, but I mean point day

[1:33:06] Pulled a Starbucks on so they just instead of going Saturday that week that closed. They go Monday

[1:33:11] Yeah, you certainly see a bit of your Monday when the weekend they're closed, but

[1:33:18] yes, the recycling numbers and the total time it has come through are pretty much the

[1:33:27] same.

[1:33:28] What weekday are reminding that weekday hours we do it every other.

[1:33:36] So on a month that has five weekends, you know, it's not like the first and third

[1:33:41] It's just keeps consecutively going through what about during the week, what do you mean during the week, what do you mean during the week, oh, sorry, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, 7 to 330, Wednesday, 7 to 430, Friday, 7 to noon,

[1:34:11] Well, I was just thinking, because we know that people like weekends, right? That's when everything's doing their clean outs and all of that.

[1:34:23] Have we looked at the numbers if we closed, maybe just completely closed one of the other days?

[1:34:30] So like every,

[1:34:32] What the month?

[1:34:33] No, like say every Thursday,

[1:34:36] transportation is closed, but then we go back to opening every weekend.

[1:34:41] Yeah, we looked at, we've talked all sorts of scenarios and options.

[1:34:51] The trouble I see with closing on a Thursday, for instance, is it puts a wrench in

[1:35:00] Cash pickup, because that whole department, you know, you get two people going on the trucks Monday through Friday picking up kerbside trash.

[1:35:08] So you have to arrange that, which sure is certainly anything's doable, but, you know, the other aspect is the employees, right?

[1:35:20] Are they going to want to work at every second transition in the DPW where they have broken up days off versus the rest of the DPW?

[1:35:30] And I think right now one of the real benefits and attractions to this town are, you know, we've got weekends off.

[1:35:41] You know, we don't have many ways to attract employees because we're, you know, we're

[1:35:48] a public sector, we're fighting for private sector drivers and wages, certainly play a large

[1:35:55] partner.

[1:35:57] You know, we can't compete with a lot of the private sector for wages, but where we can

[1:36:01] is our benefits, weekends, family life, work balance.

[1:36:05] I think if you try to close on a Thursday and have people work Saturdays, you're going

[1:36:11] to have some people leave, it's my personal opinion. There we go.

[1:36:21] It was pretty much the same question I had.

[1:36:23] I just picked a Thursday, maybe the same one day.

[1:36:28] There are some scenarios to think about.

[1:36:33] I think we can talk about it.

[1:36:38] I think the correct me from wrong, but I think the Saturday people are primarily

[1:36:44] park timers.

[1:36:45] No.

[1:36:46] No.

[1:36:47] Right now we don't have any park timers up there.

[1:36:50] Okay.

[1:36:50] So it is all full-time work and overtime Saturdays.

[1:36:54] Thank you.

[1:36:55] All right.

[1:36:56] Now, do you need park timers?

[1:36:58] Are you short staff?

[1:37:00] We have park time positions, but you don't have many people that want to work on Saturday

[1:37:04] at a dump.

[1:37:05] It's hard. Hard minded people.

[1:37:09] Sorry, I don't want to call it a dump. Transportation.

[1:37:12] Do them a disservice.

[1:37:15] But it has been historically hard to find part timers for that.

[1:37:19] Maybe more kids will go to work.

[1:37:22] Be good one for him.

[1:37:24] Parents are funny.

[1:37:29] I just had one question.

[1:37:31] on the tipping fees that went up, I see on $191,5,000 at 108,000. What's the, what's the,

[1:37:42] who's the guy? That's part of the wheel abrader contract. Yeah, so that goes up towards

[1:37:47] conquered. And that's just part of that annual price increase. And what's the increase from last year?

[1:37:54] What was it last increase from? Your said four, but I think I believe it's 5% increase.

[1:38:01] was what 5% of the $102.00 to $2.00 to $2.00.00.

[1:38:08] I think it was.

[1:38:09] In 5,000,

[1:38:13] that's, that's, okay.

[1:38:15] 20,000.

[1:38:16] $1,000.000.

[1:38:17] Okay, and the other question I see, you break it down on the other tipping fees for demolition,

[1:38:22] that's how much it costs to get to dispose of it.

[1:38:26] Yes.

[1:38:28] Of some of those things, there is actually a small fee to drop those off

[1:38:33] the recycling center correct. Yes, so that goes into that recycling transfer revenue. Okay, so we check the batteries

[1:38:43] No, we don't charge for electronics. Oh, that's okay. That's free to drop off

[1:38:50] That would be a revenue question. Oh, sorry. I think we charge for we charge for monitors things like that electronics

[1:38:56] Sorry, all right,

[1:39:02] so so a point so some of that is actually that hundred six hundred fifty-three is actually some of it comes back through revenue

[1:39:09] on like

[1:39:13] Sure monitors or appliance

[1:39:15] We don't there's a small fee for that and I think you you in the committee look at

[1:39:20] tweaking some of those fees not in the

[1:39:24] Yeah, they just did

[1:39:25] I think it was a brick and concrete to better reflect current costs, I think that was the only adjustment they made.

[1:39:34] Not that I want you to increase prices for people who drop it off because if they charge them they'll drop it off somewhere else.

[1:39:41] Yeah, that's the caveat, you know, you charge too much for a mattress and then you see them on the side of the road.

[1:39:46] Right, and you need to pick it up on the floor.

[1:39:48] And then we, yeah, depending on pick them up, definitely, you know, you will see, I don't know if you ever go to any other

[1:39:55] Transvestations or ones that you pay as you go, hooks that are very reasonable.

[1:40:00] Local press, compared to a lot of the other locations.

[1:40:04] And the committee does look at that.

[1:40:07] I think once a year, every six months to see if we're right on or over would adjust. Okay. So that would be something I would ask.

[1:40:15] I'm going to just continue to monitor whether the cost had done things off certain things appropriate.

[1:40:22] Yeah, I would be pleased to do it annually.

[1:40:24] They review it.

[1:40:25] Thank you.

[1:40:29] Last time I went, she was so nice. She apologized for taking my money.

[1:40:33] Is that Carrie the new? Yeah, I didn't sure this isn't. Yeah, I think. I know. It's like, I'm so sorry.

[1:40:40] It's like, nope. It has to be done.

[1:40:41] Pound the question. Yeah. All right.

[1:40:49] Any other questions for tonight?

[1:40:53] Well,

[1:40:56] thank you. You, you have a big section. So I'm sure we'll come up with a more question.

[1:41:02] see eventually. Let me know. Yeah. Okay. Thank you everyone. Thank you. Yeah, we're

[1:41:07] going to. Thanks, man. All right. I believe administration is up next.

[1:41:16] We'll get that guy.

[1:41:33] So for administration. There we go.

[1:41:37] Shit, you want him to go the administration. I have a couple of questions. I don't know if I

[1:41:43] want to just write it through those now or why don't you want to wait just because we come up

[1:41:48] But the same question.

[1:41:50] Okay.

[1:41:50] Picks 25?

[1:41:52] Thank you.

[1:41:55] So the administration budget is a 2 million is proposed to be 2 million 25,373 dollars,

[1:42:05] which is 71,175 dollars or 3.64% more than the 2027 budget.

[1:42:13] What you'll find in the budget is one objection for the next ten administrator in the salaries for that position.

[1:42:27] Also, I'm looking to propose a reorganization of the admin department to elevate the

[1:42:37] target coordinator position to assist in TA, also addressing a concern or, I believe, a

[1:42:45] past goal of the council to have some oversight over the community development department.

[1:42:53] And so that has a two-prong benefit.

[1:42:59] But one is that, as you search for a new town administrator,

[1:43:10] I think it would be advantageous

[1:43:12] to look to find a town administrator that can be just a town administrator as opposed

[1:43:18] to a town administrator community and economic development director.

[1:43:25] Just have to have those skill sets, but I think in the future, I think it goes well.

[1:43:29] I think this reorganization will address those those issues and again, I'm going to get more in the detail about that reorganization in the next month to get us through the budget month, but I do want to address that more sooner than later with regard to that reorganization.

[1:43:53] So, in the budgeting of this, there will be not only increases in the employee full-time line that would be reflected of, again, the re-org as well as the new GIA, but also there

[1:44:20] is, I don't know what I'm saying, just lost my train of thought.

[1:44:30] increases on the professional service, actually, you know, the training and

[1:44:36] doves line in the best because of the, because of the default budget, we have,

[1:44:43] there were some reductions to the training and doves, meaning that even though

[1:44:48] conferences are part of my contract, I opted not to move forward with, without

[1:44:56] was funding that effect I reduced it and two of the three default budget.

[1:45:00] I'd add that money back in because I think that's going to be important to all for you to have when you're, again, in your search for a new TA.

[1:45:11] And

[1:45:14] under the computer lines, again, we will be in our last year, I believe.

[1:45:23] The last year of our IT contract, correct?

[1:45:27] Yeah. 227 would be the last year, so going into 28, we would need to...

[1:45:32] Yeah.

[1:45:39] So the amount shown in there are based on the, I believe, the last year of our contract.

[1:45:47] Yes.

[1:45:51] And the council, and obviously the council can decide whether or not you want to renew the current contract or go off a bit with the, for another contract.

[1:46:01] I

[1:46:06] got a question on the one admin employment testing,

[1:46:15] there was a drug and alcohol testing

[1:46:17] in a thousand per quarter, but the total is 7500.

[1:46:22] Let me see, I'm going to tell you something I don't understand there.

[1:46:29] I don't know.

[1:46:30] I don't know.

[1:46:31] I don't know.

[1:46:31] I found it.

[1:46:33] admin employment testing zero zero one one hundred forty one thirty two ninety

[1:46:39] forty one thirty twenty eight

[1:46:42] the

[1:46:43] I

[1:46:48] mean in the spreadsheet I have a play testing at

[1:46:51] uh... funny at ninety five hundred

[1:46:53] yeah

[1:46:53] dollars

[1:46:54] but it two lines above that

[1:47:00] uh... two lines above the head retirement

[1:47:03] I don't know sorry

[1:47:05] our page thirty two

[1:47:07] yeah i'm i'm not looking at the

[1:47:10] let me scroll down and then get to you are.

[1:47:15] Yeah.

[1:47:15] Let me see.

[1:47:17] I'm not.

[1:47:18] I'm not simple to that.

[1:47:26] So one's a drag-off drug and alcohol testing.

[1:47:30] And the other one is a pre-employment testing, which does not include the fire and police department.

[1:47:37] For a total of 9,500.

[1:47:39] Is a question where I go regarding the thousand dollars per quarter?

[1:47:45] Oh.

[1:47:46] It's supposed to be removed.

[1:47:48] This is just drug and alcohol testing for 7500.

[1:47:51] Yeah.

[1:47:52] They're all nothing, yes.

[1:47:54] I think so.

[1:47:54] I mean, if I find you should stay,

[1:47:56] they thousands out of the court are in that

[1:47:57] question where they came in.

[1:47:59] Okay.

[1:48:00] Okay.

[1:48:01] Okay.

[1:48:02] Let's catch.

[1:48:04] It's no off.

[1:48:05] Matter of fact, I think the 7500 questions

[1:48:08] is lower than our five year average

[1:48:10] because we do have our peaks and valley

[1:48:13] when it comes to new employees coming in

[1:48:15] And in some years, we were, you see, like, we were going to bring in a lot of folks.

[1:48:20] Therefore, I had to subject them to do a test thing, but we believe that the 75

[1:48:26] 100 is a conservative number to address our needs and I definitely don't make it for

[1:48:32] that.

[1:48:33] Yeah.

[1:48:34] Okay.

[1:48:34] Thank you.

[1:48:38] I just have three quick questions, health insurance.

[1:48:41] I know this for being covered, again, I don't know who has what you have three two

[1:48:47] person in one family. My question was, uh, we, does that include the possibility of the

[1:48:56] new administrative having a family plan, which is a little higher than the two

[1:49:01] person? Well, I don't, I don't, again, I don't know what the new administrative

[1:49:04] may seek. It may be a family plan versus a two. So I just want to make sure if, if

[1:49:09] if that person opts for a family plan with that be a little bit more than, uh, so I just

[1:49:15] make sure I don't know how much that is, but we may want to just have that just in case.

[1:49:20] So for all the insurances, we didn't go back and update who was on what plan, right?

[1:49:29] So when we do get the insurance numbers, we will re-look at all of those and make sure that we

[1:49:35] have the current people enrolled. And so for the vacant positions, we normally find a two-person

[1:49:43] position because we don't know. Are they going to take a family or are they going to take a family or are they going to take a family?

[1:49:47] I remember that. Okay. Thank you.

[1:49:50] Just one other thing. Leases. I know it's only a difference of baked dollars but what's a difference between the upstairs of 93 dollars, least versus the downstairs one.

[1:50:03] Okay, all right, that's minimal. And vote is guide. There's no plan for vote, guys.

[1:50:12] Beautiful. And we've got into the computers and liability question. I won't down. Will you make an effort, reference to the bid going out in 2027?

[1:50:27] would that be enough to cover the possibility of that liability insurance being a little higher than what you estimate.

[1:50:35] Was it this one that we did go to bed and we're going to do it?

[1:50:39] Yes, so if you remember last year for the 2026 we got a 34, I think, percent increase.

[1:50:49] It was like $100,000 on property liability, so we did go out to bed and we got zero responses.

[1:50:56] responses so we had to stay with the current provider. We are going to go through that same exercise

[1:51:01] again. We don't know what our current provider will give us for renewal rates that does

[1:51:08] come in Octoberish time frame. I'm certainly, I am hoping that it won't be near that

[1:51:17] 20 or 34% increase, but, you know, so that 419-419-thousand is included in possible increase.

[1:51:30] Just wanted.

[1:51:30] What we currently pay.

[1:51:32] So I'm just wondering if that something you may want to adjust.

[1:51:35] When we get the new rates, I would recommend coming back to the board and saying,

[1:51:40] okay, these are the new rates.

[1:51:41] Do we want to adjust that number at that point?

[1:51:44] because it's such a crapshoot as what that number will be and so that maybe and that would be a

[1:51:50] pass that will be something coming further in the budget process but not right now. Okay, thank you.

[1:51:57] You said health benefit that's usually October as well.

[1:52:01] You talk about the health benefits. Yeah, and we find out what that figure is in October.

[1:52:06] Thank you. And hopefully if it follows the same trend that sometime late September they'll have a meeting.

[1:52:14] to let us know that the process they use and already determine the new figures, but then they'll confirm it and October.

[1:52:23] Thank you.

[1:52:24] Thank you.

[1:52:28] I mean, I missed it in another spot, but the 10 election signs.

[1:52:33] Are we still able to use the ones that we put on the truck or trucks last year and remind people to go vote?

[1:52:42] Yeah. I don't think we throw those out. I think got to two or

[1:52:47] banners that we, um, that one we put at the entrance to the, um,

[1:52:53] transfer station and the other one. I believe, uh,

[1:52:57] at the entrance to out here actually. Yeah.

[1:53:00] Yeah. Let me get two.

[1:53:03] On the, uh, on the, uh,

[1:53:07] So the ones that are referenced in the administration are the ones that like the political ones where you

[1:53:14] Oh, like March for the March eights. Yes, yeah, the ones that you like around. Yeah, I think I think the I don't believe the banners are re-budgeted for

[1:53:26] In this budget yeah

[1:53:29] For years of I again those would be one that obviously the dates would have to be changed, you know, but the banners themselves

[1:53:36] you know, we still have, you know, and you can make a decision

[1:53:39] whether or not you want to be using my put them out of the date.

[1:53:42] I think I think the signs, I think the signs and the

[1:53:45] signs and the trucks are a good idea, and you should continue that.

[1:53:50] And our front end as well as the transfer station, I mean.

[1:53:55] Second Tuesday of March every year for the past 25 years,

[1:53:59] we have to make sure we mind those people who forget all the time.

[1:54:01] Other people got busy lives.

[1:54:03] In the mind, where they go to a college school.

[1:54:06] But, after I, yeah, that's sometimes,

[1:54:09] the mind of that Christmas is on the 25th as well.

[1:54:12] That's probably one that I've been getting.

[1:54:14] Of what month?

[1:54:15] Exactly.

[1:54:18] That would be the same day that Michael Andrew

[1:54:22] finished a 16th chapel.

[1:54:25] Yeah.

[1:54:27] Yeah, it was a 17th one.

[1:54:28] He comes right on.

[1:54:32] Thank you. So the admin budget also includes all the software, or to say the majority of the software for the community.

[1:54:44] And those numbers that you see reflect the current cost of those.

[1:55:00] I should say I went up there under further up under equipment and put money in there for a new chair and some monitors for the, again, the next TA.

[1:55:18] I know that the person will definitely need a new chair. That's the same chair I had five, seven years at all.

[1:55:29] So, and all the software, again, leads and getting down to the computer, again, the computer

[1:55:39] purchases.

[1:55:41] We did refine that a bit, but we really wanted to focus on those pieces of equipment for

[1:55:47] computer replacement that are in the need of replacing.

[1:55:51] So, we have four employees, three in fire, and eight in the town, and then we do also include

[1:56:00] laptops and iPads in there too for that $28,400.

[1:56:10] For legal services, I believe I increased that by $5,000, I think last year was 120.

[1:56:18] 1-20, I increase the 5,000 to 1-25.

[1:56:24] Again, you can see on that page, the 5-year average is about 1-23,951.

[1:56:31] Historically, we have held to about 110,000,

[1:56:36] but given the volume of stuff that we need,

[1:56:41] our legal counsel for, then that has increased.

[1:56:44] And I think that 125 is a, it is a conservative number, but I think we'll meet the needs of the community, and this is not just for admin, it's for the whole town.

[1:56:56] So our department and all the other departments as well as all the boards that need legal services, it comes out of that line.

[1:57:05] We try to use NHMA, which we remember of, which we'll see the cost of $15,000, $15,000.

[1:57:12] And my budget, to be a member there, but they do have a legal inquiries line that we can utilize

[1:57:18] for those procedure-out type of things, and we have encouraged our staff to utilize them

[1:57:25] for those procedure-out type of questions that get a response, instead of just solely relying

[1:57:30] on our legal counsel because it does cost money every time we do

[1:57:34] car type. So we try to make that goes far as it can. And then under

[1:57:41] miscellaneous activity and association, you'll see again the

[1:57:45] restoration of money for hoaxedites as well as old home day. Those

[1:57:50] have been removed due to the default budget. But again, it's a kind of

[1:57:58] out is not at the level that was before nor of all the programs that the council has historically

[1:58:06] supported such as the Heritage Commission and the and the memorial day parade are not

[1:58:12] shown in there as we we did have an amount in there for those two groups but right now it's called

[1:58:20] this is a slow rebuild so whether or not the council will agree to move forward with that

[1:58:27] is this an attempt to get that back in there because such a popular opinion very big supporter

[1:58:34] of the home home day I think is a well done event and well participated event is this

[1:58:42] that when it comes to budget we really got to focus on those things that we need to do

[1:58:50] And that's the primary focus, first and foremost.

[1:58:55] So,

[1:58:58] that is the administrator about the administration budget.

[1:59:07] And also, economic development, membership,

[1:59:11] and the past we have been participants, members

[1:59:14] of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce, and the local Hooks of Chamber of Commerce, and

[1:59:19] Again, I don't have money in there for that, but the town may opt to maybe be part of

[1:59:26] the hooks at Chamber of Commerce, you know, it does cost money, but it's less expensive

[1:59:32] than the amount just the one.

[1:59:34] And the reason why I took Manchester first before I did the hooks at one is that I think we

[1:59:39] get more, get more out of the hooks at Chamber of Commerce, and as far as participation

[1:59:46] and the things that they've been involved with,

[1:59:48] And when we did the Pavilion down at Peter Brook, they were very, very helpful and introducing

[1:59:59] everybody.

[2:00:00] We involved in being an active participant in that and that's not the only place that they've been active, but they've been active in a lot of various things.

[2:00:10] And so if there is a organization that, you know, you may choose the support, it probably be that one first.

[2:00:17] Not that Manchester doesn't put on good programs that has a broad appeal to a various things.

[2:00:24] Is this that I think the support word to be given to the local.

[2:00:30] So

[2:00:36] now that is the administration budget.

[2:00:49] All right, there's no questions on that moving on to assessing.

[2:00:53] And I'll be taking that as well, given that we're still looking for an assessor.

[2:01:00] The recommended budget for assessing is $295,289, which is like $23,206 increase or $8.53 increase over the 2027 budget.

[2:01:30] One of the increases to the full time employee line is increasing the amount of the salary of the assessor in hopes of generating some interest in the position.

[2:01:49] And looking at other assessor positions recently advertised, we're not totally out of the ballpark,

[2:02:02] but we are on the lower end of that ballpark with regard to an salaries for the assessor.

[2:02:10] So what you'll see there in the amount of that line is my attempt to try to find that middle

[2:02:20] round that of what I've been seeing with regard to salary ranges for that position.

[2:02:31] We have the existing clerk as part of the middle management in that amount there is reflected

[2:02:37] of that with the contract amount included.

[2:02:44] Under professional services, I know I'm jumping in a little bit, but I did increase that

[2:02:49] line to for help for that office, actually, I don't think I'd put that in part time.

[2:03:01] Now I did not, that was in the professional service line, I increased that for help with

[2:03:07] The existing clerk was the amount of transactions that take place in the assessment department

[2:03:14] and talking with Elaine and there about the needs of the department and other than we're

[2:03:26] trying to get some help in there.

[2:03:28] Right now, Granny Hills is doing a good job.

[2:03:32] The people that we contract with, they do the assessing work

[2:03:37] and we're doing a fine job, and even at the limited time

[2:03:42] they have in office, they're getting things done.

[2:03:45] The cyclical work is being done.

[2:03:48] The updates, the pickups have been done based on the sheets

[2:03:53] that I sign off on based on the contract that we have with them.

[2:03:57] But again, this budget is centered around a full-time

[2:04:01] person, eventually coming on board and providing some help for the office through the professional

[2:04:09] services line to supplement their office.

[2:04:26] Other than the increase for healthcare that is germane to every line and every department,

[2:04:37] There is nothing more to really detail with the guard to where the increases are other than

[2:04:44] again, to try to provide some help and also to augment the salary and hopes of attracting.

[2:04:56] Is the amount showing the augmentant or do you need to add?

[2:05:01] So that is

[2:05:21] the session. The next is community development, and I'll be taking this as well.

[2:05:34] It's a one-pager.

[2:05:37] And the community development does include the planning and zoning

[2:05:41] division and then the building inspection division.

[2:05:47] And the planning and zoning division,

[2:05:55] is the, we're looking at a budget of $513,000, $450, which

[2:06:03] is a $16,185 increase or $3.25 over the 20,000.

[2:06:09] 27 budget.

[2:06:13] This supports two people in the planning side. I planner and a admin assistant.

[2:06:32] And again, I just want to reiterate that, you know, for almost a year, actually a few months,

[2:06:41] because our previous plan are left in the end of June.

[2:06:45] But over the last three months, we advertised

[2:06:48] and we were able to interview three planners

[2:06:50] and out of those three, you know, one really stood out

[2:06:54] and we made an offer in that person accepted.

[2:06:57] So again, they're going to be starting.

[2:07:01] And September 21st, that's awesome.

[2:07:06] So in this budget, one of the things

[2:07:09] that we, as mentioned in my highlight section was we did, I did put in $15,000 in that

[2:07:18] which increased that line by $10,000 to revive update the traffic impact process.

[2:07:32] Again, the last time that was done was back in, oh, eight, I believe, and

[2:07:44] Other than the increase for health insurance,

[2:07:48] those are the two areas where you see the most significant increases,

[2:07:54] with regard to the community development budget.

[2:08:02] The town engineer, again, we as part of the community development,

[2:08:07] I think I said two, but it is a three person shop,

[2:08:13] which includes the town engineer to town planner.

[2:08:19] There's two admin positions, but one is for the works primarily with the building side and

[2:08:26] code enforcement.

[2:08:28] The other one works primarily with the planning and zoning.

[2:08:33] So it's a four person office and I should say five person office.

[2:08:40] We're just looking for engineer right now right now.

[2:08:42] We do contract with Keats Northstrom, that provides the engineering services until we find

[2:08:48] somebody full-time and that salary, again, that you see for the town engineer is, again,

[2:08:56] has been improved to attract, is still within the range of a town engineer and there are

[2:09:04] several towns looking for engineering services, not me in town engineers, and I think we

[2:09:10] are in a competitive range. Some, we are not. Some are offering a higher range than we are,

[2:09:25] but for the most ones that I've seen, it's still remains competitive.

[2:09:29] Is there

[2:09:33] a lot here?

[2:09:36] I was just wondering if the vacancy of the town engineering position is why there is a zero dollars budgeted for engineering services revenue.

[2:09:54] Because right now we are able to for for development.

[2:10:00] Review, we're able to pass that cost along to the developers as opposed to when we did have a full time.

[2:10:07] The construction monitoring fees that we charged did come back as revenue for that service.

[2:10:25] The other part of the department is the building inspection.

[2:10:31] And again, as I mentioned in my, I'm sorry.

[2:10:35] Thank you chair. Yeah, for I just had a question I know you're saying you'd like a part-time

[2:10:44] code enforcement officer. All right, so we are in the building. Okay. Yeah, I was wondering if

[2:10:51] there is a firm that provides that as a professional service.

[2:10:59] The answer to that is I believe

[2:11:02] Yes, there are firms out there that offer municipal help in a variety of services, assessing

[2:11:12] building, haven't seen too many planning, but there are agencies out there that will provide

[2:11:18] that service.

[2:11:20] Just wondering if that was also an option?

[2:11:23] That is an option.

[2:11:26] Now, I haven't dealt them to the cost of that, whether or not they'll be comparable within the

[2:11:31] cost of an engineer or within that we would have the increase that are possibly even decrease

[2:11:37] it in order to meet the demands.

[2:11:39] Yeah, I think as a whoever the town administrator that's operating this budget if they have

[2:11:46] a $33,000 line item for a part-time employee and can't find an employee, I would imagine they

[2:11:51] could use those funds to hire professional services up to that amount with pretty, you know,

[2:11:57] I don't even know if we need to get involved in that.

[2:12:01] But no good point.

[2:12:03] Thank you.

[2:12:11] But that's really easy.

[2:12:13] The one LL element that is new to this side of the community development office, the rest, other than health insurance, which, again, increased throughout the whole budget.

[2:12:28] I think we did our best to try to keep things level funded and put the resources for

[2:12:36] wars needed such as the update of the impact fee and hopefully get support for this

[2:12:45] part-time employee because I can't emphasize enough that one person doing a big job is

[2:12:52] tough. And there's a lot of things between building and inspecting and code enforcement where

[2:12:59] the help is definitely needed.

[2:13:04] So, if we can hopefully, the voters are at the council,

[2:13:10] obviously, supports this and pass that along to the budget committee. Hopefully, that can be supported

[2:13:15] and give us some options that gets an help in that office.

[2:13:24] So, again, other than, again, augmenting the fuel line,

[2:13:29] which we did throughout all the departments that rely on that.

[2:13:37] And of course, the code enforcement officer,

[2:13:39] they're constantly out there and they use their vehicle a lot.

[2:13:45] What the increased field costs, I'm going up again, we move from the 325 that we use

[2:13:51] that 1.2 to 360 to better reflect what we project to be the cost next year as we

[2:13:59] move forward.

[2:14:02] So, any additional questions on that?

[2:14:09] All right, I will move on to finance and I believe that maybe some men here that would

[2:14:20] be an expert in that.

[2:14:41] So we, what the finance department,

[2:14:46] we're proposing a budget of $395,641,

[2:14:52] which is $70,212 over the previous budget, or 21.58% more than the FYI.

[2:15:00] 227 budget. The main driver of that is the proposed part-time assistant finance director,

[2:15:13] proposed

[2:15:14] for the next year's budgets. This particular budget not only supports that proposal, but it also

[2:15:22] towards two full-time employees and the other treasurer, is that in your budget as well?

[2:15:30] Yeah, and the treasurer.

[2:15:33] Go ahead, love you.

[2:15:35] Thank you, Chair.

[2:15:36] I'm looking at the Assistant Finance Director 30 hours for 50 weeks budgeted at 60K.

[2:15:42] Do we think we can find somebody for that amount?

[2:15:49] I have no idea.

[2:15:51] I'm thinking the interaction might be the 30 hours a week, so they could have, you know,

[2:15:56] Friday, Saturday, Sunday.

[2:15:59] So off,

[2:16:04] I don't know, I don't know.

[2:16:06] I think it worked at T.B.W.

[2:16:10] But I must say that the proposed amount for the part-time one,

[2:16:14] I hopefully would be attractive enough for somebody to

[2:16:17] debate on that and say that as a part-time position,

[2:16:23] it's a good pay, but on the other hand, the demands of the job

[2:16:27] going to be warranted for them out that we're willing to pay. So, it does like, I mean, no

[2:16:34] benefits. So, it's just $40 an hour. Take it really, but, well, I mean, when you say it like that,

[2:16:42] it's not really good. I mean, it's like, possibly three days a week. Yeah, yeah. All right, I'm in.

[2:16:50] I do feel there's a lot of companies that have gone to hiring 30 hours.

[2:16:57] They don't have to provide the health insurance.

[2:17:00] That's the tricky thing, right?

[2:17:02] Well, people in the health insurance.

[2:17:04] Everybody, especially, you know, it seems...

[2:17:08] We might get somebody newer to the position,

[2:17:12] but, you know, they very much want that word-like balance.

[2:17:17] True.

[2:17:18] Yeah, true.

[2:17:19] And I just...

[2:17:20] I'm not going to speak long on it,

[2:17:21] because I feel like there is support for the position within the room.

[2:17:27] But the position is very much needed to help reduce risks.

[2:17:33] The risk in making sure that we are running our grant management

[2:17:37] properly, the liability of our town, the risk in preventing fraud

[2:17:44] with the transactions that come in and out of the town.

[2:17:48] There's multiple union contracts that open up if there's a mistake

[2:17:52] made because we're so thin, this is all risk that we're taking on because the staffing in the

[2:18:01] department is not where it needs to be. So it's very much needed. It does create redundancy.

[2:18:11] It will make the operations smoother. It allows for coverage of vacation time, preparing

[2:18:21] for future leadership changes. I know it seems like I'll be here forever, and I probably will,

[2:18:29] but someday my time will end. Yeah, just to, I think in further support of what you said,

[2:18:37] my only concern with this budget line item is, is the big enough to get you the help you need.

[2:18:43] And honestly, when I did the math, $40, it was pretty good. But like if you had someone that came in

[2:18:47] that was looking for more, we could reduce the hours that they work and, you know, I would

[2:18:53] I'd be willing to entertain that as well.

[2:18:56] And the other thing about the position is that they would be required to have a bachelor's

[2:19:04] degree in accounting, which is something in the town that I know of, I'm the only one

[2:19:12] That really understands the whole financial system of the town's, the current staff, while

[2:19:19] they do a wonderful job, they don't have that background of the accounting experience.

[2:19:26] So that's really the key concept with introducing this particular position.

[2:19:33] I've always been under the impression since the six or seven years I've been doing this

[2:19:38] that you've constructed it as a labyrinth for job security?

[2:19:42] No.

[2:19:45] It's probably because of, yeah.

[2:19:49] And also, conversely, the Claire Governor and Document,

[2:19:54] I mean, when we first introduced it because it took us from this spreadsheet form.

[2:20:00] Of presenting the budget to something a little bit more cohesive, a little bit more elaborate with regard to the explanation, and I like it a lot, but I think we're kind of scratching the surface in a little bit more time, a lot to our finance director, you know, through this, this assistant finance director, the more I think we get out of this program, what, you know, and I think we'll be only a benefit as we, you know, because it's not only for the employee,

[2:20:30] under department heads to plant the town council by the budget committee, and then this obviously

[2:20:35] the voters.

[2:20:39] I did want to mention something that we hadn't discussed is the rental and lease is

[2:20:46] lying for most of the town hall departments.

[2:20:51] We were all under a consolidated print management where we purchased new printers and

[2:21:02] that ends in this contract so the printers are still for five years old still in good shape

[2:21:09] but we no longer have to pay for the rental of that so you'll see like in mine that's

[2:21:14] a reduction of $330 will that same reduction does happen in the majority of the town

[2:21:23] hall departments in to one goes we do have the maintenance contract on it okay so

[2:21:32] you know, if it does go, we're, I mean, it's contract, and then would that be a professional

[2:21:39] serviceers or maintenance budget line item? It's under right above it, equipment maintenance.

[2:21:45] So I pay 270 for the maintenance, which includes all the supplies, all the toners, all that

[2:21:51] good stuff for the machine. It must like the last rotation. You get to a point where

[2:21:59] We might need to.

[2:22:00] I do my name get a refresh the whole stock again.

[2:22:03] Right.

[2:22:04] If it starts to get too cost prohibitive.

[2:22:10] Maybe we can do it like police careers 2 at a time.

[2:22:12] No, no no.

[2:22:16] Most of the time yes.

[2:22:18] So when we default them we're going down the one.

[2:22:25] So uh, do you have a questions?

[2:22:31] If you wouldn't mind taking the budget committee.

[2:22:34] Yeah.

[2:22:35] And I'll get that up here.

[2:22:36] Do they have to run out?

[2:22:44] So the budget committee is on page 2-21, I think.

[2:22:53] I'm reading that right.

[2:22:59] And so

[2:23:05] the budget committee is $6,976,

[2:23:09] which is a reduction of $265 from the prior year.

[2:23:14] And that reduction is in the part-time employee line.

[2:23:22] I

[2:23:29] don't, so every adoption of 256.

[2:23:35] 256 is the, yeah, and the majority of that is in that part-time employee line in

[2:23:41] 238, yep, in 18th of Texas, and we,

[2:23:48] so we budget 20 out, 20 meetings, 450 hours

[2:23:53] that was historically what we've been using the last several years, and when we

[2:23:58] the numbers,

[2:24:02] that's how we got to that reduction. The budget committee generally will review this,

[2:24:08] they haven't met for their organizational meeting, so they haven't met to discuss this budget,

[2:24:14] but if they do, they'll make changes at their level.

[2:24:22] Recall them ever making any major changes.

[2:24:25] It's a small budget.

[2:24:32] So that...

[2:24:33] Oh, that's delicious.

[2:24:37] Where's that sucker?

[2:24:40] Two, two, eighteen?

[2:24:47] So we have two notes.

[2:24:49] One is the tiff district.

[2:24:54] And that is paid from the tiff district funds.

[2:24:56] But we have to show it as...

[2:25:00] An expense and is also offsetting revenue.

[2:25:11] And then the other one is the safety center renovations in the fire engine.

[2:25:17] And both of them have gone down because the number of years in the interest rate goes down as we pay it off.

[2:25:29] Pretty sure I can't see it right here, but I'm pretty sure one of them,

[2:25:38] I think the safety center is more in the third, you know, as three more payments.

[2:25:45] And then the tip, the tip district has four more payments if I remember correctly.

[2:25:53] But I had it here, but I don't see it.

[2:26:03] I don't see it.

[2:26:05] I'll make sure I add that.

[2:26:10] Thank you, Chair.

[2:26:11] Do we ever look at trying to pay these things off early if we have the funds to save on the interest?

[2:26:20] So, the safety center and fire engine is both actually through the

[2:26:32] bond, the bond bank.

[2:26:35] And in order to pay them off early, we have to do the refinancing through them, so they don't

[2:26:40] just allow us to pay them off thoroughly.

[2:26:42] Yeah, I'm just going to say some have a provision that you can't prepay.

[2:26:47] You could refinance them, I guess, zero, I'm not going to share it, but...

[2:26:52] I'm just trying to find a loophole.

[2:26:54] Hang off your mortgage early.

[2:26:59] Which one do we have extra money for?

[2:27:01] I was taking the tiff district room.

[2:27:04] Honestly, the interest on the safety centers and...

[2:27:07] No.

[2:27:08] That's a man.

[2:27:08] Why would you even bother?

[2:27:09] But the tiff district, the...

[2:27:11] I don't know, that interest is a little bit more hefty.

[2:27:14] But it does look like it comes down fast.

[2:27:27] So.

[2:27:28] I got through two when I was gone.

[2:27:30] Look at that.

[2:27:30] That's not bad.

[2:27:30] The last two.

[2:27:31] Is there, did you, did you want to do the town clerk's budget? She was saying that you're doing such a great job?

[2:27:42] I told her I would ask him.

[2:27:44] I would not deprive her of the privilege of presenting her budget.

[2:27:49] So was that, that was tonight?

[2:27:53] That was it.

[2:27:55] Other than public input.

[2:27:57] Yeah.

[2:27:57] And then I think it'll be good.

[2:28:00] I think it's good that we have time to think about it.

[2:28:03] And then especially with the physician movements changes

[2:28:08] because I think that's really needed to put in our down.

[2:28:14] So the plan is that in two weeks,

[2:28:17] we'll reveal the remaining budgets.

[2:28:20] And then at that point,

[2:28:26] we'll make a motion to move

[2:28:29] everything to the budget committee for the operating budget, yes, and then the in October

[2:28:40] we'll start working on worn articles. We'll run down just I'll show you a list of all the

[2:28:47] worn articles that are proposed many of them that you're very familiar with at the next meeting

[2:28:53] just so you have a heads up of what what we're thinking about.

[2:29:00] And Chair, just to let you know, so our next meeting, budget meeting, I should say, because we have a regular meeting next week, but our next budget meeting is September 16th, while Wednesday, September 16th.

[2:29:12] And the items that we'll be covering there would be town clerk, Library, Conservation Commission, Cemetery Commission, Police and Fire.

[2:29:22] And then now list the potential warn articles as well.

[2:29:24] We have

[2:29:30] no public, so I don't know if I can invite anybody to have anything else, where's the CD?

[2:29:36] Okay.

[2:29:37] I'd like to make a motion to adjourn chair, all right. Thank you for that time.

[2:29:41] All in favour?

[2:29:42] All right.

[2:29:45] Anybody close?

[2:29:46] Go in home.

Town Council Budget Review - Sep 2nd, 2026

Agenda

Transcript