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FY 2017-2018 Budget Deliberations.
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The chairman of the Finance Committee reported the committee’s recommendations to the Council at its meeting of May 2, 2017. A copy of the proposed changes from the Finance Committee’s review of the manager’s budget, along with the entire manager’s budget submittal, are included in the materials for this item.
The proposed changes are listed by adjustment/amendment number on the attached budget amendment digest:
F01 For FY 2019, to begin basing the Council’s watershed protection grant program funding on the boat excise tax revenue received in the last complete fiscal year (for FY 2019, this would be the actual revenue received for FY 2017).
F02 To adjust the amount for holiday lighting and decorations to reflect the annual contract, and offset the cost from the town’s TIF funds as per prior years’ practice.
F03 To add 24 hours per week of part-time help in the tax collection and motor vehicle registration office.
F04 To adjust electricity costs for streetlights and traffic signals to anticipated actual costs.
F05 To reflect the cost of software licenses for public safety communications in the police department and offset that with a reduction in telephone expenses due to savings resulting from better bundling of services.
F06 Increase fees for medical calls resulting from having a third ambulance, and account for the portion that likely will be uncollectible.
F07 Add costs of commercial appraisal services to maintain accuracy and quality of commercial property assessments.
F08 Fund approximately half of the anticipated cost of project engineering for 21st Century Downtown corridor improvements and continued wastewater planning from anticipated proceeds from the Windham Economic Development Corporation’s sale of its Anglers Road property. The town loaned WEDC the funds to purchase the property to allow reconfiguration of the intersection and for commercial development. The engineering work, particularly for the 21st Century Downtown corridor improvements, is contingent on the property sale and receipt of loan repayment from WEDC.
F09 The police chief included a 28th sworn officer in his budget request with the concurrence of the town manager, though the manager did not include the position in his budget proposal. The purpose of this was to put the issue in front of the finance committee and Council, with the expectation that this will be reflected in the upcoming strategic plan update.
F10 Addition to the property tax levy to balance the budget. This would result in an approximately 3.8% increase.
Changes suggested after the finance committee’s recommendation:
C01 Add funding for the town’s medical call billing service, inadvertently left out of the preliminary and manager’s budget proposals.
C02 Based on year-to-date receipts compared to FY 2016, increase anticipated excise tax revenues for FY 2018 and reduce the property tax levy to balance, bringing the levy increase to slightly less than 3.8%