[Marker]
REDDING BOARD OF FINANCE
MEETING
May 6, 2008
Filed subject to approval
Present: Alvarez (Chairman), DeSalvo, Dolan, Kearney, Simeonidis, Viscio
Also present: 15 members of the staff and public and representative of the Redding Pilot.
Chairman Alvarez called the May 6 2008 meeting to order at 8:17 pm in the Redding Community Center. The meeting followed the referendum vote on the Town budget which failed by 101 votes.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mary Dale Lancaster: commented that many parents did not understand the large increase in budget, and added that the RES PTA supports the school budget.
Lewis Goldberg: cautioned the Board of Finance against making reductions in the school budget; that reductions could cause parents to vote against the budget.
Mary Lou Pompel: commented that the no votes were because of the increase in the Town portion of the budget and in support of the school budget. Chairman Alvarez commented that the Town's expense portion of the 08-09 budget had a decrease in expenses, not an increase".
Pat Moisio: commented that the Town portion of the budget is a small portion of the total budget; the budget is a fair and bare budget; that the Town does not have a support group as the schools do.
Dan Heller: commented that the Town portion of the budget is easy to understand, the education budget is more difficult to understand; and perhaps $750,000 to rebuild the Fund Balance might be too much for this year.
Tina Miller: commented that the budgets were fair and should have passed, but economic times are not good.
David Lewson: commented that the turnout was low; that any cuts to the school budget will be painful.
2008-2009 BUDGET, DISCUSSION AND ACTION
Mr. Viscio reviewed his analysis of the budget. Major adjustments were made to the Grand List, a $14.2 million adjustment last year was made and the Board of Finance was not aware of it when the mill rate was set. Another audit adjustment of $8 million was made during the year. Those adjustments represented an uncollectible tax amount of about $500,000. His analysis was discussed further.
Mr. Dolan noted that the Elderly Tax Benefit increased by 32% and suggested that be reduced. First Selectman Ketcham clarified that the Elderly Tax Benefit is set by Ordinance and cannot be changed at this time.
Board members discussed various levels of reduction in the budget. Discussion centered on what was a reasonable reduction in the allocation to the rebuilding of the Fund Balance.
AGENDA ADDITION
Motion: move to add a public session. Simeonidis, DeSalvo. Approved. Unanimous.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Lewis Goldberg: the suggestion of a reduction in the Board of Education budget of $100,000 is a steep one.
David Bohn: commented that most residents have not had 5% increases for the past five years. He suggested that the schools take reductions in the administrative areas, specifically the Director of Curriculum and staff and that principal positions be shared.
David Lewson: commented that education has changed since Mr. Bohn was in school and that the Redding administrative team is leaner than in neighboring towns. The Director of Curriculum is a shared position (with Region #9 and Easton), and any savings would only be 1/3 of what Mr. Bohn suggested.
Peter Bonfanti: agreement with the suggestion of a reduction of 1% and suggested that a better explanation of the numbers was important.
Peg O’Donnell: expressed a concern that the Board of Finance remember the reduction in the school medical reserve fund, and if there was a problem in that area, the Town would need to deal with it though use of the Fund Balance; she stressed the importance of rebuilding the Fund Balance.
Mary Lou Pompel: commented that the public needs a clear explanation of why the increase is large.
Pat Moisio: commented that there was no increase in taxes for the past three years, with the residents of Redding benefiting from the use of their money.
DISCUSSION followed
Board members discussed the Region #9 budget which was also defeated in the referendum vote. The Board of Finance cannot dictate to Region #9 Board of Education, but can request a reduction in the budget.
A variety of reductions was discussed, finally settling on a reduction of $450,000, with a reduction in the allocation to Fund Balance of $200,000, Board of Education of $125,000, Town budget of $75,000, and a request that Region #9 reduce the Redding portion by a minimum of $50,000.
Motion: Move that the Board of Finance recommend to referendum a budget for fiscal 2008-2009 of $43,225,271. The proposed budget includes a reduction allocation to Fund Balance of $200,000, Board of Education of $125,000, Town budget of $75,000, and a request that Region #9 reduce the Redding portion by a minimum of $50,000. Kearney, DeSalvo. Approved. 5-1. Mr. Viscio voted against the motion.
The Board of Selectmen will set the date for the next referendum vote.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: move to adjourn. Viscio, DeSalvo. Approved. Unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Maday, Recording Secretary
Mary
| 
