HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-09-04-AC-MIN.pdf APPROPRAITION COMMITTEE MEETING
SEPTEMBER 4, 2003, ROOM 111, 7:30 PM
Present: D Brown, P Hamburger, S Spector, K Dooks, E Michelson, R Eurich, A Levine,
J Ryan
Also Present: T Griffiths, G Burnell, R White, J Bartenstein, Jed Snyder
• 2020 Committee: P Hamburger on behalf of the 2020 Committee asked if any of
the AC members would attend a meeting to discuss possible multi year
projections. D Brown A Levine and S Spector indicated that they would try to
attend with P Hamburger.
• R White discussed the Early Retirement Incentive legislation currently before the
BOS. He wishes to review the data to be provided by the actuaries before making
any recommendations. He senses that the Fiscal 2005 budget will reflect further
reductions in staff. If that were the case he would prefer to reduce staff through
attrition rather than layoffs. The Fiscal 2004 budget was adopted with a need for
the municipal side to reduce staffing levels by$225,000,which has yet to be
done. Thus far between 30 and 40 employees have expressed some interest in the
program. R White also discussed the"pension deferral/holiday"which he does
not support. All of his comments are his feelings and are not reflective of the
BOS. They have not come to any conclusion regarding these two options.
• R White also reported that there will be no revenue deficit in Fiscal 2003 due
primarily to budget reversions.
• Discussed the possibility of reducing the Fiscal 2004 local estimated receipts
figure from the current estimate.
• Discussed the possibility of appropriating additional funds to Snow & Ice in
Fiscal 2004 in an attempt to minimize the possible Fiscal 2004 Snow &Ice
deficit, which will have to be raised in Fiscal 2005. General sense was that with
all the other issues it would be difficult to increase the appropriation by$400,000.
Discussed possibility of incrementally increasing the appropriation over a number
of years.
• R White discussed the budget process for Fiscal 2005 and distributed a tentative
schedule.
• BOS are having their goal-setting meeting on September 24, 2003.
• The BOS and SC are attempting to schedule an executive meeting to discuss
collective bargaining issues, The meeting will probably not be until after
September 22nd due to scheduling conflicts.
• R White expressed concern over as change in the budget culture and the
questioning the integrity of department's heads. Staff recommendations are
sometimes dismissed or questioned.
• AC discussed when to distribute the memo to the BOS dated August 26, 2003.
The SC and CEC have been given a copy. D Brown will talk with L McSweeney.
• G Burnell(Chairman) gave an overview of the goals of the CEC during the
upcoming year.
• P Hamburger raised the issue of going forward with the Fiske School. Some
people felt that the Fiske had made it onto the recent list
• Discussed the email from P. Mehr regarding the establishment of a Strategic
Planning Committee. General sense was not in support of such an idea.
• AC would like an update on the contributions and overall status of Lexpress.
• P Hamburger gave an update on the Liberty Ride. Currently the program is being
run at a deficit. The Tourism Committee anticipates finishing the year on a
positive note.