[Marker]
REDDING BOARD OF FINANCE
MEETING
March 17, 2008
Filed subject to approval
Present: Alvarez (Chairman), Kearney, Simeonidis, Viscio, Dolan
Also present: First Selectman Ketcham, Selectman Miller, Selectman Takacs, Town Clerk Grande, Treasurer O’Donnell, Assessor Ford, Controller Hutvagner, Superintendent of Schools Fossbender and Redding Schools Director of Finance Sullivan.
Two members of the public and a representative of the Redding Pilot.
Mr. Alvarez called the March 17, 2008 meeting of the Board of Finance to order at 7:04 pm
DISCUSSION OF THE STATUS OF THE CURRENT OPERATING BUDGET
Board members reviewed and discussed the most recent revenue estimates and expenditure savings. The revenue shortfall, estimated at $929,000, was reviewed and further increased to 1,109,000.
Mrs. Kearney recommended that the Board of Finance request the Town Departments and Board of Education to freeze expenses where possible.
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Finance request the Town Departments and Redding Board of Education to freeze their expenditures of unnecessary but not contractual items. Kearney, Viscio. Motion failed, 1-4. Mrs. Kearney voted for the motion.
Following further discussion, Mr. Simeonidis offered the following motion.
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Finance direct the Town Departments and the Redding Board of Education to back and review the current operating budget, understanding the gravity of the situation as discussed, to look for additional savings without significantly impacting the services they are obliged to provide, and report back to the Board of Finance at their next meeting, March 31, 2008. Simeonidis, Viscio. Approved. Unanimous.
DISCUSSION ON THE 2008-2009 BUDGET
The proposed operating budget for 2008-2009 was reviewed. The anticipated revenue figure was reduced by $300,000. Board members stated that the revenue figures should not consider or include revenue from the planned Georgetown Land Development Project. The revenue reductions included: $75,000 Treasurer, $101,000 Town Clerk, $100,000 Building Department, $101,000 Zoning Department, and $4,000 Health Department. Town Departments were asked to reconsider their revenue reductions as discussed.
Capital Budget items were discussed. Those items include $600,000 Highway Department road work, $45,000 for a pick up truck with plow, $50,000 for refurbishment of two old trucks, and $30,000 for a police cruiser.
Mr. Hutvagner reported that the budget does not include recent increases in the cost of fuel.
Assessor Ford provided some additional information on the new assessments by type/style of home.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion: move to adjourn. Kearney, Simeonidis. Approved. Unanimous.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Maday, Recording Secretary
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