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Home My WebLink About2011-02-10-AC-min-summit V February 10, 2011 Minutes Town of Lexington Appropriation Committee February 10, 2011 Place and time: Public Services Building Cafeteria, 7:30 PM Members present: Glenn Parker (Chair), John Bartenstein (Vice Chair and Secretary), Joe Pato (Vice Chair), Mollie Garberg, Alan Levine, Susan McLeish, Dick Neumeier, Rob Addelson (ex officio, non-voting) The Committee joined the Board of Selectmen, the School Committee, and the Capital Expenditures Committee for the fifth Budget Collaboration-Financial Summit for FY2012 ("Summit V"). The agenda items were: 1. FY12 State Budget Update 2. FY12 Minuteman High School Assessment Update 3. FY12 School Department Budget and Building Projects Update 4. FY12 Municipal Budget Update Please see the attached minutes of the Board of Selectmen, which are published on the Town web site at http://lexingtonma.gov/selectmen.cfm and which are also available in the Town Clerk's office, for details. The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:20 PM. A list of documents and other exhibits used at the meeting is attached. Respectfully submitted, John Bartenstein Approved June 21, 2011 - 1 - February 10, 2011 Summit 5 February 10, 2011 A Summit was held on Thursday, February 10, 2011, at 7:30 p.m. in the Public Services Building Cafeteria, 201 Bedford Street. Chairman Manz, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Burnell and Ms. Mauger; Mr. Valente, Town Manager; Mr. Addelson, Comptroller and Ms. Pease, Executive Clerk, were present. Also Present: All School Committee (SC) members except Ms. Steigerwald, Dr. Ash, Superintendent of Schools; Ms. Dunn, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Business; all members of the Appropriation Committee (AC) except Mr. Cohen; and all members of the Capital Expenditures Committee (CEC) except Mr. Hurley. Estabrook School Dr. Ash announced that the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) voted to approve the application to rebuild the Estabrook School. The Town will receive a minimum of 31 percent reimbursement from the state and there may be additional reimbursements possible. One issue that will need to be addressed quickly is the widening of Robinson Road to allow access while constructing new school. FY 12 State Budget Update Mr. Valente reviewed the highlights of the Governor's proposed budget which includes an increase in the Special Ed circuit breaker from 40%to 60 %, which could mean an additional $700,000 for Lexington; and for Chapter 90 Road Reconstruction Funding the recommendation is an increase of$150 million to $195 million statewide. The Chapter 90 increase, estimated at $150,000 for Lexington, would be significant and will probably be the first piece of legislation voted on in March or early April in time for the construction season. FY 2012 Minuteman High School Assessment Update Minuteman High School released its proposed budget and Lexington's assessment is $1,702,930; previously the anticipated assessment was $1,770,000. FY 2012 Municipal Budget Update The Set-Aside for potential local aid is still $697,128, but Mr. Valente recommends that it also be used for the likely snow and ice deficit. The Selectmen are still reviewing options for the Municipal revenue balance of$81,234. FY2012 School Department Budget and Building Projects Update Mr. Valente reviewed the recommendations for reducing the School Department budget gap. To cover the shortfall of$262,613 the following adjustments will be made: - 2 - February 10, 2011 Selectmen's Meeting February 10, 2011 1. reduce Health Insurance by $82,500; 2. reduction for programmatic adjustments $129,569; 3. reduce Music Fee by $54,500; 4. reduce Benefits by $2,600; and 5. increase Medicaid by $6,567. Any unemployment insurance costs above what is budgeted for FY2012 will be covered by the School Department budget. The Federal EdJobs funds will be applied to Health Benefits, thereby increasing the School budget appropriation by an equal amount of$548,918. To get the full benefit of the funds the money will be put into Health Insurance to avoid paying the State 9% of the $548,918. Next Steps Mr. Valente reviewed the next steps. Selectmen will continue and conclude their FY2012 budget deliberations. On February 22 the Selectmen will vote to approve the FY2012 budget. The FY2012 Recommended Budget and Financing Plan will be available for the finance committees and Town Meeting members on February 28. The Town Manager will continue to respond to questions from the finance committees. On March 28 the FY2012 Budget will be presented at Town Meeting. Documents Presented 1. Budget Summit 5 FY2012 Revenue Allocation Model February 10, 2010 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 8:20 [p.m.] A true record; Attest: Lynne A. Pease Executive Clerk - 3 - February 10, 2011 Exhibits Budget Collaboration-Financial Summit V February 10, 2011 1. Agenda posted by Carl Valente, Town Manager 2. Town of Lexington, Budget Summit 5, FY2012 Revenue Allocation Model, dated February 10, 2010 - 4 -