Laserfiche WebLink
70-383 <br />Budget Summit # 3 – December 1, 2016 <br />is approximately $6.4 million, a 6.6% increase over FY17, and the municipal share is <br />approximately $2.3 million, also a 6.6% increase over FY17. <br />Mr. Addelson pointed out that the $618,148 in Unallocated Needs could absorb a potential <br />increase in health insurance. The projected increase in health insurance is budgeted at 5% but <br />the consultants are projecting increases as much as 7%. Mr. Addelson pointed out the <br />recommendation that $5 million go in to the Debt Service/Capital Stabilization Fund. And last, <br />is the $983,000 in unallocated revenue, which can be used to balance competing operating and <br />capital demands. <br />Mr. Levine inquired as to the trends in building permits. In his observation, there seemed to be <br />less building activity than in past years. Mr. Addelson responded that building permits were a <br />tool used to project growth in the tax levy. Projections for FY17 were a 2.5% increase with <br />actuals coming in at about 3.3%. Projections for FY18 were also 2.5%. <br />Mr. Valente elaborated on the $618,148 in Unallocated/Unidentified Needs. This could go to fill <br />the gap for items where revenue projections have fallen short. Though revenue projections are <br />typically conservative, an example could be where actual state aid falls below the Town’s <br />projections. The second category could be for an expense that is not included in the <br />recommended budget, but should be. The third category could be an unknown increase in fixed <br />costs, for example health insurance, as has been mentioned previously. <br />Mr. Valente explained that a focus continues to be capital plan management to mitigate the <br />amount of debt service by increasing the capital stabilization fund and addressing some of the <br />capital needs through cash capital, limiting the need for further debt. By keeping budgets level <br />and increases modest more can be put into the stabilization fund that can subsequently be used to <br />limit the tax impact to tax payers for various capital projects/debt service. <br />Mr. Valente discussed some emerging policy issues including increased requests for <br />improvements to pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicle safety. On that note, the Town recently <br />received good news around the Complete Streets Program. A $292,000 grant was received <br />through the program which would go directly to towards transportation safety initiatives. Also <br />of note, the increasing financial impact of complying with the federal and state stormwater <br />management requirements is being felt in both the capital and operating budgets. It is becoming <br />increasingly difficult to absorb without new revenue sources. The committees were invited to <br />pass along any other policy priorities they are seeing. <br />Confirm Date for Summit 4 <br />The date for Summit 4 was set for Thursday, January 12, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. in the cafeteria at the <br />Public Services Building. <br />Update on Lexington Children’s Place (LCP) Site Options and High School HVAC <br />Mr. Hurley provided an overview on the site options that have been explored for the Lexington <br />Children’s Place (LCP). The School Committee has had numerous conversations in an effort to <br /> <br />