Good evening. I will call to order the finance committee meeting on May 12th, 2025 at 6 p.m. Uh we have one item on the agenda this evening. Uh order number 25-1009439. uh communication from Mayor Dumis together with a proposed
FY2026 municipal operating budget in the total amount of 215 million 215,32,846 uh which represents a 9.9% increase over the FY2025 appropriation. Um I will begin by
reading the letter sub submitted by the mayor. Dear honorable counselors and Marbor residents, in accordance with Mass General Law, chapter 44, section 32 and the city charter, I respectfully submit for your review and consideration
the proposed operating budget for the city of Malro for fiscal year 2026. Uh the proposed FY2026 budget totals $215,32,846 representing a 9.91% increase or a
19,49,692 over the FY2025 adopted budget. This increase is primarily attributed to rising costs in key areas including education, health care, debt service, utilities, and continued investment in information technology, infrastructure, and
software. Uh most other depart departmental uh budgets remain level funded. Notably, we anticipate a $2 million uh in new growth and maintain a strong fiscal position with just over $60 million available uh in excess levy
capacity. Uh key budget drivers contributing to this increase includes 7.20 million for Marorrow public schools, 1.03 million for Asabid Valley Regional Technical High School, 4.67 million increase in
contributions to health uh health insurance trust, 1.25 million for long-term debt service, 1.10 10 million for a reserve for collective bargaining and salary adjustments.
325,000 for short-term debt service, $342,000 in additional retirement contributions, 240 thou 455,000 for waste management services, $200,000 in electricity cost increases, $120,000 to
support IT software infrastructure expansion. Um, I want to extend my deepest appreciation to our dedicated finance team, auditor Diane Smith, Comproller Brian Dohaney, Assessor John Valade for their tireless work in preparing this budget. I also thank all department heads for their cooperation
and the city council for your commitment to thoughtfully and responsely budget review process. I look forward to working collaboratively with you in the coming weeks as we review and refine the FY2026 budget to best serve the residents of LRO. Sincerely, J.
Christian Dumis, Mayor and I will begin with Mayor Dumis, if you would like to give with your team a budget overview, please. Sure. I mean, the letter kind of says it all. You know, I don't want to reiterate, so um I I wanted to make sure that the letter was clean and concise so you knew where we're coming from
regarding the budget. Um I'll let Brian say a few words if he wants. If not, we can just go into the adjustments and and start the evening. Okay. So, and and you're you're all set with that. Okay. All right, then. I will open it up to any comments from the city council. Uh, Mr. President. Yes. Could I
ask the mayor of the comproller to explain the tax impact of the budget that's been presented to us? Absolutely. Sure. So, the tax impact if the levy stays at $121 million,
the effect would be $76947. So if the levy gets changed, for every million dollars it gets changed, it'll be a 9 cent change to the tax rate. Roughly $53 per million change in the levy. So I just want to explain. So if your house value goes up and your rate
drops, the levy is still 121 million. So we're still going to gain 769,000. If your house value drops, your rate increases. The levy is still $121 million. You're still going, the average
taxpayer would pay $769 more. The only time this can be changed is when you set the tax rate in December and you change the shift. That's the time where you could change the shift between commercial and residential. The levy still being the 121 million, but the
effect on the residents and the businesses could be adjusted at that time. Does that answer your question, C? It does. So the point I want to make is that when you look at the tax implication sheet, it shows that the assessed value didn't change. As a comp patroller said, that's just it's a
mathematical figure. If you if you change the assessments, the rates go down. You're still paying $769 for the average house uh for their uh average tax bill. I'm good. Thank you, M. And that's a good point to highlight. Thank you, Mr.
President. Any other questions at this point for the mayor and his team? Any comments from the financing? Uh, council vital. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just want to try to repeat something that I thought you just said. When we reduce it, if should it be reduced by $1 million that would
save the average resident $59? $53 roughly. $53. Okay. So, I would I did hear correctly. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, Councilman. Council Worm. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh first and foremost, I want to thank all the staff
who are here as well as our financial people and the mayor for a very thorough budget. Quite a lot of time to review it and of course through this process there'll be questions hopefully the answers we need and I look forward to
working with everyone. Thank you. Thank thank you council or uh no other further discussion then the next step uh the finance team will take we'll start to do beginning with the page turning um actually I want the council we're done
with the mayor I got some my opening remarks I want to mention to the council thank you thank you right council you have two documents in front of you the first one I'm going to go through is one that's titled municipal budget information so this is a little bit of a history lesson of what how we performed
in the past and some projections on what's upcoming with this budget. So for the fisc year 25 budget, the one that we're currently in, the mayor submitted $196 million budget, an increase of almost $8.8 million. The city council reduced it by
$717,000 and just for a point of interest in fiscal year 24, we reduce it by $940,000. So, the city council approved a fiscal year 25 budget of $195 million, an increase of just a shade over $8 million
or 4.3% increase, and that translated into a tax bill about $189 for the average house. For fiscal year 26, the mayor submitted a $215 million budget or a $19
million increase, almost 10%. The impact as you heard from the comproller on the average house, $769. My 26 years on the council, nothing's ever been over $200. So, I want you to think about that as we go through the budget this
evening. If the council reduces the budget by a million, then the budget's $214 million. The increase would be $18 million. still more than double the largest increase which was $8 million last year. The tax increase for the average house would be about 718
$718 for the average house. And just because I've heard a lot of press to put the $7.2 million that the school's asking for, that equates to a $350 increase to the average house.
pages three, four, and five. These are all the reductions you made last year to the fisc year 25 budget. I won't go through each one of them, but I did assess each one. And my conclusion, the reductions that the city council made in May of 2024 to reduce
the fiscal year, it should be 25 budget by $700,000 had no repeat, no impact on the ability to operate the city in fiscal year 25. All right. Additionally, as I mentioned earlier, it equated to a tax
rate of 9.86 and an increase to the average house of $183. Move over to page six. So, where are we right now? Beginning of May for fisc year 25 budget. So, through April, the latest reports that my fine auditor continues
to send me on a monthly basis. I thank you, Diane. Salary line items are $479,000 under budget. They were up to $814,000 under budget in January, but we took that for media transfers. So that
means $1.2 million under in salary line items in the fisc year 24 25 budget. And it's not over yet. For comparison, fiscal year 24 salary underruns were 1.1 million and fisc year 23 salary runs
were 843,000. So I mention this because we have a lot of openings and I'll get to those in a moment. And this is just the city side. I haven't had time to figure out what the school does. Fiscia 25 internal transfers in
April $1.1 million. All right. The internal transfers in 2024 were $1 million and at the end they were $2 million because as you'll know in May our next meeting we're going to get a pile of internal transfers. During fisc year 25 again
through April the city hired 105 individuals and 68 have left the city and the breakdown is as follows. The school added 75 people and 43 left and that increase of 32. The city added
30 individuals and 25 left, a net increase of five. Then go look at the HR website. The city has 18 open positions. There were 19 open positions in May of last year. So if one concludes that we're
going to be at the same pace of hiring, we're going to have $1.2 million of underrun in salaries. and we're not cutting anybody's salary, but I'm trying to make the point that you can reduce the budget because there's money and underruns in the city's salary line items. So now the schools, which I
haven't been able to figure out yet, they have 39 open positions. So, if you assume the positions continue to remain unfilled, and our history has shown that they have, and I assume a $3,300 monthly salary, which is around
$40,000, which is on the low side, the school will underrun their their budget by $128,000 a month or $1.5 million, and the city's going to underrun theirs by $60,000 a month or over $700,000. If you go to page seven and 8, those are
all the internal transfers. So, we adopted the abbreviated budget process. We let the managers manage their money, which means they can move money around. And they move money around because they're not spending it. And I don't say they're not spending it. We just have underruns and salary line
items. Go to page nine. Just a history lesson on tax increases from fiscal year 14. all under $200 with one exception, the projected fifth fiscal year 26 tax at
$769. So in conclusion, the fiscal year budget is the largest budget increase, more than double in the city's history. And as I constantly remind you, the budget is only as good as the day it's approved. The minute we approve this, it's going
to change. Our internal transfers in 25, $1.1 million. Salary underruns right now 497,000. Midyear transfers 928. Uh that should should say thousand, not million.
Apologize. And we don't know what the end of the year transfers are going to be, but I will make note that last year we ended the city portion of the budget $4.2 million under budget. That's on top of the reductions the council made of
940,000. So again, the council's reduced the budget in 23 by 800,000, in 24 by 900,000, and fiscal year 25 by 700,000. And in all of these three years, city services continue to be
delivered. Reducing the budget starts next year's budget at a lower level. Underruns in the budget will continue and can be used in the transfer process to fund accounts. So I'm asking set a budget that funds the needed services at
a tax that residents can afford. The second document I have before you is a budget summary sheet. So this is what the chair is going to go through each of the departments. All right. And this was my attempt at what the reduction should be
in each of the departments. They total about $1.4 million. If every council did their homework, I'm sure they've got similar type notes to write similar type adjustments. So, I look forward to going over those with the finance committee and the council as we proceed with the
um finance meeting. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. President. Any further discussion? Oh, councilor. Well, first and foremost, Council Aring, thank you for your overview. every year. I appreciate you
looking into the budget as you do. Uh I looked into this budget page by page and I would like to say that the letter from the mayor indicates several areas that are not based on employees such as electricity
cost such as retirement contributions and they're listed here. I don't have to go through them all. One comparison I'd like to make that we are required to do is fund Asabet Valley Regional Technical
High School. They have 618 students. So that's up by about 1,666 per student. Aubber High School in turn went up as well. They have approximately $4,300
students. their additional cost is about the same. They're they're comparing very well. Costs have gone up. And when you go through the school budget, you'll see there is many costs related to special
education. That's a major issue. As well as English as a second language. They are challenged. Our schools are challenged. And I would ask that you look at that school budget and look at Framingham as an example. and what they pay per student. I do not want to
underestimate the need for education in Marro. It's so important. You could ask any real estate agent, what's the first thing people ask when they come into our city? They ask, "How are your schools?" That's one of the number one questions of families moving in here. I just today
in front of my house, I see students going by, young students who are going to progress in our school system. We have to take care of our school system and catch them at the early age. So please, I hope you took a thorough review of our school of this budget presented by the school. It was very
thorough and I would ask that we consider that and all these other line items noted by the mayor that and unfortunately the cost of living has increased for all of us. All of us at home, might it be your city taxes? Might
it be a reduction in a serious reduction in federal programs? Very concerning. Just heard on the news as I was driving in here, climate change, reduction in those needed services, especially like building dams and so forth. So
unfortunately, we have got to pay attention to the whole environment around us. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I know we'll get that council. But thank you, Councelor Brown. Thank you, Mr. chair. Um, as we're starting off our budget review hearings,
I was just interested in kicking it back to the chair to see what order we're taking things up because when I looked at it, I think schools are coming up after um other departments. I appreciate that. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
And they councelor Robbie. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um I I won't comment on the schools, but I would just like to point out that one of the documents that councelor Oing provided us were the um adjustments to the budget in FY25 where
although we reduced electricity by $100,000 in both the public facilities and the schools, we added back $200,000 to public facilities and h 100,000 to schools because we had money in the budget. as he has continuously stated,
there's always money for transfers. So reducing the budget just does a impact for the residents paying taxes and then there's money in the budget to take care of additional expenses which we know we'll have if we reduce electricity.
Thank you. Thank you, Council. Now, with that said, I'll begin with the page turning and we can start on the first one on page 13, which is the city council. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. The city council budgets increased by
6.2%. Uh that's b primarily driven by the 3% increase that was not in last year's budget and the 3% this year that you're going to see that same 6% show up in all the department heads budget. The one other change is that the part-time
administrative staff is moving to step seven from 5 to 7. Uh, so that's the other piece that added, but the uh increase is $14,891 or 6.21%. I'll take any questions.
Seeing any questions, I would entertain a motion. Councelor Brown. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I don't have any questions. I move to approve this budget as presented. Motion has been made and seconded to approve uh the uh the city
council saline. council. Thank you, Mr. President. And we're starting with ourselves and indeed we're looking at the entire budget seeing pretty much a 6% increase. 3% one year, 3% the other year. I hope we remind ourselves as we
go through this entire budget. Yes. To be equally as involved with the other budgets. Thank you. Motion made and seconded to approve the city council but council for Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, and uh, to
councelor Orm's point, I've been having a hard time with this. I know this is a a small increase compared to what we'll be talking about tonight, but um, in seeing how difficult a budget we're about to go through, I have been wondering um, what appetite, if any, there is to not increase the council
salary. Um, it is a small increase, right? $7,000, but I think it sets a precedent that we're willing to save where we can. I don't think any of us do this for the pay, right? We do it because we love the city. We love the city of Malro and we're here to do good. And so for for myself, I I will not
support um the city council budget as presented. Um I I do think we should cut the 700 or $7,395 increase to the city council um portion of the budget. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Councelor Preci. Thank you. Uh I am not
on the committee, but I do agree with Councelor Fillo. Um, and I if I was on the committee, I would prove in solidarity with uh the rest of our workers and the rest of our increases that we're going to see throughout the budget. M but Mr. President, so I would
not be supporting this. Uh, two reasons. One, you can't take away the money we've already gotten approved for fiscal year 25. The only was before us. You'd be asking for two years of salary being given returned from the council. And I would say if you really that feel that strong about it, write a check for your
$300 increase to the city. I tried it back in the past with minimal success and it wasn't worth the effort. Thank you. So I would encourage the finance committee not to support that. Right. Motion has been made and second it council.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh I'd just like to comment that I would support the cut to the city council as part of it, but not the staff. They work hard. they deserve the same rates that other employees are getting. But um God bless
you, Councelor Landers, because he would always bring this up and I'm glad he got brought up again and I'm more in support of just not giving us a raise this year. It's it's an honorable position to be in. Councelor Fulo, you said it right off
the bat and I think I can't support the city councilor's part of it. I can support the employees part of it, but based on how troubling the economy is right now, I would not support the original motion. If another motion comes
back, I will support that for that reduction of the $7,395. Thank you, Councelor Brown. We did have the motion. Um, thank you. um not sure if this is proper parliamentary procedures but with the conversation it
makes sense and I also support that and I would resend my motion. Council Brown has rescended her motion. Uh councelor Fuchilla would you repeat your motion and that I believe that would be the 3%. That's right. You you you've already approved your 3%. You can't take it
back. So this would be cutting this the 3% cola which is Mr. Sure. Yeah. I suppose it would be $3,697.50 3,000. Uh, it is not. Yeah. No, it would be 3% on top of the 3%. So, it's not
just a split of the money. Well, I would argue if you don't know the issue, I would not be supporting something that we don't haven't thought out properly for instead of this public grandstanding. Council Fel. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I
wouldn't call it grandstanding. I think it's I think it's the right thing to do whether or not I have the number in mind. I think it's the principle of what we're doing right now. I mean, I'm happy to write the check. I I'll write the check when I get paid at the end of this month. So, if the council wants to go
ahead and approve the city council budget just for the sake of getting this over with, that's fine. I hope some of my colleagues will also consider giving back to the city because at the end of the day, it's the principle of what I'm trying to do, not necessarily um any grandstanding. So and I understand that
council fell and then for the uh for the argument of moving forward. Um we do still have another kick at the can when this comes to the full city council to when when when we decide to to vote on the budget if that you want to bring that up again. But to move the night along and we have a lot of things
in front of us. Um I would entertain a motion just to approve. So I'm sorry he already has a motion. I sounded like he was withdrawing the motion. Is that not true? Mr. I I never raised a motion. I didn't have the number of what what it would
be. So I happy to go for it. Councelor Brown. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um I will just put that right back out on the table and move to approve as presented. Motion's been made and to
approve the city uh council uh budget as approve as submitted. All in favor? All opposed. Thank you. That carries three to two. Okay. Moving on to the mayor's uh
budget uh on uh page uh 15. Any questions or concerns with the mayor's budget? President Osman, thank I would just point out in the mayor's letter, it indicates a reduction in the summer internship line item. There is no reduction. It's level funded. Level
funded. Thank you, Mr. I will entertain him. Councelor Brown. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, I don't see any issues with the mayor's budget as presented and as such I move to approve
as presented. Motion. Thank you. Motion's been made and seconded to approve the mayor's budget um as submitted. Any further discussion? Councilman, I'll be quick. The mayor is grossly underpaid in this city. You look at any town
administrator, town manager. This is a position we have to start looking at this government someday and how we run it, you know, versus like a professional city manager. But that's all I have to say at this point. Thank you. Motion was made and second. All in
favor? It carries. Five to zero. Thank you. Okay. Moving on to uh page number 17, the finance director. and and as it's highlighted by the mayor, these are uh increases in in starting at a high salary um as well as
a longevity and increase to the uh to a staff member. Uh council vital. Mr. Chair, I what I tried to do in preparation of tonight was I looked at all the assessor's report at the end of March and and tried to determine whether they were on schedule or behind schedule
or ahead of schedule as far as their budget was concerned. and the finance department was operating at 55% of their their budget after March. So I just think that that's an important number to remember as we go forward on the motion. Thank
you. No further discussion. I will entertain a motion. Motion motion's been made. I will second that to approve the controllers uh budget as submitted by the mayor. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? carries. All
opposed. One carries four to one. Moving on to the assessor's office on page 21. Auditor 19. You skipped the auditor. Oh jeez. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Red. Auditor on page
19. Any council fell? Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, I have no questions and move to approve. Motion's been made and seconded to approve the auditor's uh budget as submitted. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor?
Carries. 5 to zero. Now moving on to page 21 which is the assessor's department. Mr. Chair, councelor Fel. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, in seeing that our assessor will be retiring at the end of the fiscal year, I think it would be
responsible to reduce that line item um back down to step one, which Yeah, that makes sense. Yes. $14,557 reduction. So, I move to um decrease that line item. Motion's been made to reduce uh line item oh my goodness
uh 141 501 50160 the principal assessor by 14,557 any further council as we've learned from other department heads it's very difficult to attract department heads I would just I would support this
motion but with the option that the mayor be able to come back if he's having difficulty attracting someone at step one. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mot motion's been made and seconded to reduce the assessor's line item um by by
$14,557. All in favor? Oh, councelor. The line was reduced by 4,624. Was there a attempt at that reduction to change the step or was
something other reason why it was reduced? That's the senior assessment line item, not the principal assessor. Senior assessor. He came in, I believe, out of talking principal assessor. Oh, okay. Never mind. Yeah, he was hired not too long ago, I believe. Council, correct?
Yeah. Okay. Motion's made and seconded to reduce. All in favor? It carries five to zero. Thank you. Moving on to the city collector on page 23. Pretty much pretty much level funded
on that salary step increases for the city collector and also the senior clerk that is built in there. Motion to motion's been made and seconded to approve uh the city collector's uh budget as submitted. Any further
discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? Carries 5 to zero. Okay, moving on to the legal on page 27. Uh going to uh the legal on page. Council Brown.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um I move to approve this budget as presented and it is level service budget. Um so motion's made and seconded to approve the uh law department's uh budget as submitted by
the mayor. Mr. Chair, any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? Mr. here. Oh, I had a question actually just on the and we're seeing this throughout a lot of the budgets that we have a reduction in office supplies as well as claims and that's good that the claims are down but curious on the
office supplies. I've seen in other budgets as well if I threw you to the mayor if I could talk to you. Uh just curious I've noticed that there was a total reduction well down a big reduction of 38% in office supplies.
Is that because it's now under central supply? So I think this was really trying to average out what we see in terms of expenses. I think in the past we kind of said hey this might be a source of an internal transfer if we need it. So this is kind of just kind of aligning with our averages. I think our
actual expenditures. Yes. Thank you for the answer. Thank you Mr. Chair. Motion's been made and seconded to approve the law department's budget as submitted. All in favor? It carries. 520. Next up is uh human resources on
page 29. Uh this is uh some adjustments in to reflect personnel and operational needs um and an increase to the assistant as well administrative. Council Brown. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um the letter was
very detailed and um it noted the reason for the increases. Also noticed um the decrease in supplies and medical exams totaling about $10,000. Um it seems fair and makes sense. I move to approve as as
presented. Thank you. Motion is made and I will second that to approve the human resources budget as submitted. Any further discussion? Council Fill. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um just a really quick question. Um I noticed that in contract services this year, um you
know, running 10 12ths of the way through this fiscal year, um we've only expended 9.8%. I know there's a slight increase, um due to the need to administer several promotional and entrance exams to police and fire. Could you just discuss that a little bit and and kind of where where contract
services stand and why we're going to be giving them an increase here? Good evening, director. And good evening. Hi. So your your question is why that one line item contract for this year versus Yes. Sure. Uh a lot of that is for our
promotional exams and we anticipated doing police and fire exams this year. We do anticipate trying to get some of those done in the next month and a half. So we will be spending part of that those funds. But due to some retirements
this year we will be seeing uh quite a few uh promotional and entrance exams next year as well. So that's why we have the increase for next year. And this year we anticipated doing some of those. They just haven't come to fruition yet. Sounds good. Thank you. Sure. Thank you.
Council Mr. chair, claimate for the HR number medical exams, those have gone down quite a bit. Sure. Some of uh the medical exams are for the uh new hires and the reason why
we had it at a lower number this year is that some of them will be promotionals. So therefore, we will not need to do the psych and entrance medical exam for the hires. That's great. It's also good to see a reduction and just a compliment that looking ahead evaluating the city's
benefits are in collaboration plans to ensure comprehensive and cost effective options for that's so important as we have discussed too how do we stand with other communities so we're working with Brian on
that chair thank you director motion's been made and seconded all in favor motion's been made and seconded to approve the human resources budget as submitted. Moving on to information systems on page 31.
Mr. Chair, Mr. President, uh if there's no questions for Mr. Gibbs, he had a commitment, he'll be here in about an hour. So, if there's questions for Mr. Gibbs, I would ask that this be postponed until Mr. Gibbs arrive. Everyone's all set with it. Thank you. But if you want an answer to a question, Mr. Gibbs is not here. I
will Thank you. I will I will refer to the findings committee. Councelor Brown. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um in reviewing the narrative um from Mark Gibbs, it looks like the cost of tech upgrades,
especially for security enhancements um could lead to less spending on emergency tech situations. So, I feel like the increased cost would potentially help mitigate future problems. I didn't have
any questions. It's just something that stood out to me. So, I move to approve as presented. Motion. I have no qu question. Oh, council. Mr. Chair, I can ask him offline, but I'm just curious of his interaction with the school department. It's noted on the summary.
He talks about continued security scrutiny for the overall city and school environment. Uh so and any rights never ends but I'll catch him on the sidebar on on the side of the school. We can probably catch him on Yeah, if he's not here, I can ask him on the side because I I had no further questions as well. Uh
motion's been made and seconded to approve the information technology budget as submitted. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? It carries. Five to zero. Thank you. Thank you, Council Brown. Okay, moving on to the city clerk's
budget on page 34. And um I didn't have any particular questions for the uh for the city clerk. Um I'll leave that up to the finance committee. Councelor Vital, make a motion to approve. Motion has been made
and I will second that to approve the city clerk's budget as submitted. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? Carries 5 to zero. Thank you. Okay, moving on to elections on
page 36. Mr. Chair, Mr. President. So I I bring to the council's attention the inauguration is moved under the city count under the elections department which means the city council now gets to control how inaugurations which I am
very happy with that and I would recommend the finance committee reduce it by $1,000 and that is that is a good recommendation now that that is in in the in the elections council. M thank you Mr. Chair. I was questioning that too. Does
what what's all that cost for and if maybe we could find out why he came up with three. I'm happy to tell you it's Yes, Mr. President. Invitations, flowers, the food that's done outside here. Um, but we're going to stop all the trinkets and stuff. It's it's going to level fund it like it was in the
past. Not the year to go jack up the cost for inauguration expense in my idea, but we'll now So, the mayor is now giving up his authority to run the inauguration. and it will now come under the purview of the council and the elections division. And thank you, Mr. President, through you, Mr. Chair. And I
have no problem with that. If there's indeed items that we need, so be it. But I don't know if 2,000's too much. You know, I see the clerk standing, but based on the past expenses um that
were forward to the mayor's office, you know, invitations. Yes. and uh flowers and and things like that. There have been it it it's been running right around $2,000. The increase I I I put in there based on, you know, food and
things like that and projected increase in costs. Takes no mind to me. You want to cut $1,000 out of it. That's fine. When on inauguration day, we all end up with a hot dog and chips. I I don't need any food that day. I always make a mess of my desk when we have food. But I have
no problem with that. Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I support, Mr. President. So, so if the council wants to reduce it more, I will make whatever dollar value you give me work. I'd suggest we motion for 1,500 as noted
food. Maybe somebody will donate some food to us, you know, but I think, you know, again, we have to be critical on our own budgets and our own procedures. So, I would recommend to go to 1500. Cut it to 1500. I'm gonna I'm gonna allow the mayor to speak short. So, if I can
provide some insight to you, Mr. Chair, and the rest of the committee. So, it made sense to move this over to the city clerk or city council's office only because if there is a transition with the mayor, it was very difficult to plan something as mayor when you don't have the funds to allocate them when you
don't have to the control over your budget to plan something. So, that's why it made sense to move the line item. And the line item was an increase. So, what was paid for for last inauguration was only food broch. the invitations, the
program, and flowers. Any other expense came out of my own personal budget. So, um I just want to make sure that you're all clear with that. So, if you're okay with $1,000 decrease or whatever, 1,500, that's fine. But I just want to the what was actually paid for out of this line
item was the food programs, invitations, and the lo the flowers. And there's a few flowers on the stage, those four things. So, however you want to do the budget um works for me. But okay, thanks. Just some insight for you. Now,
Mr. Chair, knowing the cost of printing, but I would suggest we print less invitations. It just seemed we always had too many. I would suggest uh we take the recommendation of the council president to go to 2,000 to go to I'm sorry, 2,000. Reduce it to 2,000. That's
your motion? Yes. Motion's been made. I will um second that to reduce the line item 57840 by $2,000 by by the amount of to the amount of Oh, I'm
sorry. I'm sorry. I apologize. To reduce the line item 57840 by $1,000. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? That carries five to zero. Next up is the license commission on
page 38. Mr. Chair, Council Fello. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, I have no questions and move to approve. Motion's been made and I will second that to approve the license commission budget as submitted. Any further
discussion? All in favor? Councelor Roby. Right. I'm just curious about the board secretary increase. I mean, the percentage looks very strange. 400 or 60% increase. Is is there a
reason why this particular secretary has such a high increase? Yes. Because they have to due to union negotiations and minimum wage act. So, we had to increase because they work nights. So they have to cover different meetings. So they
were actually getting paid less to stay late to cover planning board or board of health meetings. So that's why there was an increase with that. It just looks like a high number because based upon the hourly wage that they were getting, they were making less money to cover
those meetings. So thank you. Mr. Chair, I would note that it's a increase of $485 from $800 to 1,285, but it's a good question. It looks like a great increase, but to get people to work, I don't think you can
get them for 800 a year. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Motion been made and seconded. All in favor? It carries. Next up is the inspections uh on page 62. Councelor Brown. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I
don't have any questions about this um part of the budget. So, I move to approve as presented. Thank you. Motion's been made and I will second that to approve the uh uh inspections uh uh budget as submitted.
Any further council or I'll be quick. Uh I was curious. They noted um the Lake Williams boardwalk to help evaluate enforcement. They have something called SCPT. I really didn't understand that and what the management needs are down there. And if I may ask through you to
the building commissioner, Commissioner Tay. Commissioner TW, good evening. It's a the part about Lake Williams boardwalk right there. That's under Priscilla. Yeah, I'm sorry. That's under Priscilla's notes. He may not know the answer. I apologize. Uh but I would say
that's something I can get offline as well. Thank you. Motion has been made and seconded to approve the uh inspections budget as submitted. All in favor? He car all in favor all opposed carries four to
one. Next up on page 77 is one that we really can't control is uh the acid valley. This point I will enter entertain a motion. Council Brown. Thank you Mr. Chair. Move to approve as presented.
Motion's been made and seconded to approve the Aset Valley Vocational School budget as submitted. Any further discussion? Council. Mr. Chair, I said my piece earlier, I'll say it again. We have to compare apples to apples and they're seeing increases and we have no
control on those increases. So aren't our public schools seeing the same increases. So they mention special ed. They mention English as a second language. So I just wanted to say that and that's enough. I'm not taking up the whole No, that's fine. Thank you, Council. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Motion has been made and seconded to approve.
All in favor? All oppose? Carries 5 to zero. Okay, moving on to the recreation department on page 97. Mr. Chair, motion to approve. They do a
tremendous amount of work for the city and when you look at their salaries and stuff, it's it's phenomenal they can do so much with what they have. But just a question though, they have some vacancies. It appears that they're working with one person right now. So I
was just curious how they're handling it. I know summer's coming if they're expecting to have those hireies soon for the other two positions. Mr. Chair, through you to the mayor. The director up director the mayor was posturing like you Mr. Chair, we're
looking at a reorganization and we're trying to figure that out based upon what best fits for the recreation department as a whole. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Councelor Pres, thank you. Um, so it looks like uh these positions are all pretty much level
funded. Um, is there a a reason for that? Is that we're not seeing an increase in these salaries? So through you, Mr. Sure. We're waiting for the conference salary study to come out so we can actually assess those salaries so when we do the reorg so
we're not lowballing lowballing the actual salary so we want to make sure that we get the appropriate data before we start that process. Okay understood point of information Mr. President Council Presiano those are MMEA positions and the contract has not been settled. That's why you'll see all the
clerk positions with zero% increase because we haven't settled the contract yet. Understood. Thank you. Um I know that the rec department does a lot of great for the city and puts on a lot of programs. Um so you know I I do I would like to support them as much as
possible. Thank you. As I thank you. I I feel the same way. Uh question and I caught the director as I was coming up the stairs. Labor Day parade has increased from uh what was it? I have it
here. 28% I believe. Yeah. From 18,000 to 28. Uh what are we going to be doing different this year that we may not have done in past years? I just I don't think we on the setup it's like anything different. It's just like every year is a challenge of
raising the monies to do what we need to do and uh just lying at them hasn't been in these years. We always go on a shoestring budget and trying to raise the funds out getting private donations and doing that extra work. So, um, as anybody said and, uh, prices are rising,
we see this problem. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Council Graciano, I had one question. Would your department see better services if your budget was increased? Uh, I'm kind of failing to um recognize why the bud your
budget wasn't increased to an amount that would help you operate as far as Yeah. instead of accepting donations and looking for more money outside of the city. No, you're asking me if we accept donations. No, I'm asking why. Why? Why
you do? Why do we do? Oh, as far as the uh Well, that's always as far as we've asked for groups within the city to help. Point of order, Mr. Chairman. Uh this discussion is regarding celebrations, which we're not on. Can we hold off that discussion till we get
there? Sure. Thank Thank you, Council. Councelor Brown. Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you, Chuck. You know, I'm a big fan of everything the recck department does, and I move to approve the rec budget as presented. Motion has been made. I will
second that to approve the recreation uh department budget as submitted. All in favor? Carries. 5 to zero. Next up is health and licensing on page 99. Mr. President, sorry, Mr. Chairman.
I have a question um on the board of health budget. Um it's related to the substance use prevention coordinator. I would like maybe the health director or the mayor might be able to ask answer the question I have on that position
which is in this budget line item. Sure, Mr. Chair, I can speak on that. So, the opiate task force has been meeting. So, they are looking over that job description and see where those monies can be allocated. So, they'll be meeting once a month to see if this position should be funded and if so, how in
regarding a job description. So, we're just not quite there regarding to distribute the opioid funds. Okay. And I I would ask through you, Mr. Chair, to the mayor that that be expedited as best we can. Um it's an important position. There are plenty of people out there
asking those same questions. I had another question. Um you mentioned that our restaurants are under compliance with inspections and I work in this field. So sometimes the state says two inspections a year for certain types of restaurants,
others are pardon more or less to once a year. How many restaurants do we have? And I saw your numbers. Thank you for your clarity. But I was just curious if where we stand with meeting state requirements for food inspections. So we're meeting compliance. Are you asking about how many permitted establishments we have in the city? Yes. And versus the
U note that you made of the 270 routine follow-up food inspections. So we have around 300 permitted establishments in the city. We do risk based inspections as you mentioned. So, um, depending on the menu and the risk base of the menu, um, we're either one time in the
establishment, one time a year or four times a year, such as a convenience store, you'll go once a year. Okay. But we are in compliance as you noted in your very good then. And with that note, I would motion to approve. Motion motion has been made and seconded to approve the health and licensing budget as
submitted. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? That carries. 520. Next up is human services on page 101. I don't particularly have any questions on this. Uh, Council Vital, I have a bit
I only have one question, but it's a real important question. Yes. in a in a town with so many homeless, in a town with so many folks in need, why are we reducing the human service budget by $20,000? This is a contract services, but I will
maybe the mayor can uh uh fill us in a little bit more on but it is a contract service. Correct. Thank you, Mr. Chair. And through you, it is a contract that we have. So based upon the contract, this is the human service that we outsource and this is what it costs for the um for the contract just a level the
same amount of services. We are not losing any services whatsoever. You are correct. Well, I know we're contracting for services. Say that again. We're contracting for services. We contract the human services out. Correct. And we're not losing any services based upon this contract.
Thank you. Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Through you, to the mayor. Uh, contract services are these services for employees of the city. This is for the community that needs the services. Correct. It's for the community that needs the services. Okay.
Just want to make that clear. Thank you, council. and the obligation within this contract I believe the food pantry whatever it's called uh any other services offered as council of vital noted we are a city of demand when it comes to human needs oh absolutely so
through you Mr. I can tell you that this this contract utilized many services to do community outreach for the homeless. We worked very diligently last summer to do resource. I know even um DPW as well as um the police chief um Smok um we had
numerous meetings about outreach. We have um talked to them specifically the homeless individuals that are um camped out during um the summer that with a community fridge as well as in front of the Walker building. Um we provide addresses for homeless who need to get
jobs all through this contract. Um so the outreach has been um incredible. Um and it's not a small feat and we work diligently. So the services this is not for the human services. Um representative for the city NOSA is it
correct? It's Yeah, it's NIS and Mush. Um this is Nosa's position. There's two positions in that. Correct. And it's for SMOK services as well. So, um, they're tied in with the United Way. So, Barbara and Nosa basically.
Correct. And, and Mr. Chair, if I can on that question, I would just ask that we continue to monitor it to make sure. I mean, a $20,000 reduction is pretty nice. I mean, it went from 110 to 90. And I thank Smok and so forth, but I
just want to make sure we don't lose services over it. I can guarantee you that we're not losing any services on this. It's being watched and monitored. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you, Mr. Chair. For the discussion, I will entertain a motion. Council Brown. Thank you, Mr.
Chair. Move to approve the budget as presented. Motion has been made and seconded to approve the human services budget as submitted. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? That carries. 520. And moving on to Council on Aging on
page 103. Mr. Chair. Oh, Council Brown. Oh, did you have a question, Council? Uh, no. I was actually going to thank the Council on Aging, wherever you are. Hi, Trish. Um, they're doing I I get to experience some of it now. I guess I
reached that milestone in my life. Uh, but they're doing a fantastic job. I love the fact they're looking at the kitchen and the garden and all that and I have no questions, but I was going to support a motion to approve. Mr. President or Mr. Chair, M. Mr.
President, so I had discussions with the director Pope on this. The, if you recall, the pre prior administration took out the three positions and funded them through the EOEA grant. Yes. Um, so last year we added in one. Based on the increase of our budget, I don't believe
it's wise to add both positions in this year. I would recommend that the senior clerk position continue to be funded through the grant. And again, there's $1.2 million of underfunded salary items that we are haven't tapped into yet. And
if the Council on Aging needs more money, I'm sure that they will come back and ask us. But I would recommend the finance committee make a motion to reduce the senior clerk position and fund it through the EOE grant in the amount of $49,918. Mr. Chair, I'll make that motion. Motion
has been made. I will second that to What's that? I have a question. Oh, quick. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, I just before voting on that item, I just wanted to um make sure that that wouldn't jeopardize anybody's position
by having um having their position tied to the part of the budget that was being questioned. Good evening, Director Pope. Good evening, uh, Council Brown. um that position will
be funded um if you go with the reduction as council awesome has suggested through the um EOEA grant. Not sure what it's going to be called this year because the agency is now called age but anyways um we do have funding in there. Councelor Osing has assured me
that if we have difficulty with funding our other programs because please remember that all the only thing that is in the city budget for the council on aging is salaries. Everything else that we do comes out of all the grants that we apply for and everything else. So,
when I first started in this position, we had transportation money, we had programming money, we had office supply money. All of that has gone away over the years. Um, and we do make do and I think we do a very, very good job. But,
um, this year it is questionable what the state is going to do with their funding. So if they don't come through the way that they have in the past, I certainly will be back to add that position back into the city side of the budget. But I want to make people rest assured that nobody is losing their job.
Okay. Thank you very much. That that answers my question. Thank you, director. Oh, councelor Roby. Well, council for Chillo had his hand up. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, director. I appreciate you being here. Just a quick question along those same lines. Have you had conversations with the senior clerk about this or or are we
This position was funded for the last two or three years through the grant through the grant. Yes. So it they um there were three positions. We've been slowly bringing them back onto the city side where I humbly think they should be. Okay. Um however, the person this
position she is still paid as a city employee. She's not paid out of grant funds. It's it's just processed a little bit of a different way. Thank you for the clarification. Thank you, Mr. Sure. They've got council rubby. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am happy to hear that there are will be no staffing cuts, but my
concern is the programs because that's where your money is supposed to be used for. So, I want everybody to remember that when she comes back because she needs the money because she's not getting the grant she's anticipating because my guess is it will be reduced.
It's not going to get increased. Um that we will make that transfer. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, Council, Mr. President. Okay, so just so so we're all in the same field, the fisc year 25 grant, which you're going to see on the
next council meeting, $139,725. You've pri $25,000 for a transportation grant, $3,400 for a marketing grant, $816 for a backup camera, $1,000 from Cummings Foundation. and I'm not sure what it's used for and $1,250 from the Marbor
Foundation. So, money is coming in. So, I don't want the world l there's no change to the senior clerk position. Everything's going to run just as does. And councelor, director Pope knows if there's funds that are needed, come see us. And I'll mind you, $1.2 million of
unfund un money that we don't know what we're going to do with because we don't have filled positions. I think we can find anything the council or director Pope is still a counselor director Pope needs. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, Mr. President. Just one comment I'd like to add. With all of the grants that
council mentioned, that is a lot of hard work and due diligence for the staff. We don't just get, you know, open an envelope and we get money. So, I want you to know that we work very hard to get those extra funds. Thank you, director. Mr. Chair, I will vote for that reduction to have it paid for
through the grant, but I concur with councelor Roby that director come back to us if indeed there will be an issue. Thank you, Mr. Chair. And President Osing alluded to that as well. Yeah. And he did. Yes. And there's a revolving fund that money is coming in that
$150,000 limit as funds come in because the the U seniors pay a certain percent fees for various classes and foods. So, so that there is money there. So, I don't that there's nothing that's going to happen to the operation of the senior center. Anybody that says so is blowing
smoke. Thank you, Mr. President. Motion is Can I just make one comment? Um the cut before us um the reduction is 49918. Um the city the senior clerk is only budgeted at 49448. So, that would
be the most that could be cut. Oh, thank you, Diane. I see that in the book. Thank Thank you. Thanks, Diane. Thank you, D. I see I have that highlight. Thank you. So, motion would be made to reduce line item 50770 uh by
$49,448. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? All opposed? All in favor? Oh, thank you. 5-0. Thank you. Thank you, Director Pope. Next up is the Veterans Agency on page
105. I Oh, council by Mr. Chair move to approve. Motion has been made. I will motion has been made. I will second that to approve the veteran services budget as submitted. Any further discussion? Councelor Orm, compliments to the
veterans affair agent uh for getting his certification as noted in his letter as well as uh being transparent on veterans uh funds that are needed. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, Council. Motion's m been made and seconded to approve. All
in favor? That carries 520. Next up is the library on page 107. 107 council looks like we're going to have some Sunday hours and it looks like the information provided by the librarian indicates that's a very the weekend's heavy on Saturdays with
traffic in people that attend the library as well as all the rooms are getting utilized. So I'd make a motion to support the budget as presented. That is a good point that they're working on having the Sundays and their busy days are Saturday. So, I would support that. Mr. President, so if Sarah's here, I'd
like to know how many new part-time positions are being created cuz according to the mayor, we're only getting it. There's only three positions being added to the budget. Okay. So, uh there would be five
part-time positions at 10 hours per week. Five new ones? new positions at 10 hours per week. So then a question to the mayor. How come that wasn't up in the front part of the budget book because I'll have another one for the DPW as well. Sure. When S I spoke, she was going to rearrange the salary or the
scheduling so no new positions would be increased at the time of budget. Say that. I I couldn't hear a word you. Sure. So at the time of budget, there would be no new employees. She was going to rearrange the schedule based upon the flexibility of working a Sunday schedule. So, it'll be a rotating
schedule at the time of budget. I thought I just heard Sarah tell me there's going to be five new part-time positions. Right. At the time of budget, when we submitted this, there was going to be no new positions to be hired. The schedule would be a rotating schedule to include the original team to include
Sundays. Are there or are there not five new part-time? There will now be five new part-time employees. So, that's important for the council understand. and the headcount is now changed by five cuz that's not what it says on page two or three of the budget book.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. President. Councelor N. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, thank you, director. Um, I know this is something we've talked about a little bit and uh and with the trustees as well. Um, as someone who's often looking for somewhere to go on Sundays with a little one, um, we are super excited that you guys have worked
hard to make this happen. Um, and a special thank you for being flexible with the hours. I know the mayor heard me complain about this and you did as well. So, um for those who um have not read the letter, um it's going to be 1 to 5 um between Labor Day and Memorial Day. So, um thanks again for making that happen. Really looking forward to it.
Thank you. Thank you, Council N. Motion was made to approve. I made that motion. Yep. Motion was made. I will second that to approve the library budget as submitted. Any further discussion? Friendly amendment. Mr. Chair, I think our president made a good
point that those positions be noted on that page two or three of the front of the budget. Just added to it so we can keep track. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thanks been made and seconded to approve. All in favor? Council, just discussing, Mr. here.
Um not just to to reiterate what the president has said that these this is all of these budgets are as if all the positions are full all the year the entire year and we know that that's not the case. So at some point this
committee has to look at the budget as a when it's because they're giving us 100% of staffing throughout the year. Well there that we know we have a history here in the city that we're never going to have that. So rather than approving everything, I think it's important that we look at some of these line items part
with staffing and try and and predict the best we can of what the vacancy rate would be in that department and and reduce you know that some of these some of these line items rather than just approving everything that goes across and and I believe they would have to send down any kind of ordinances as
well. Mr. President, say that again. So to to would these be new created positions? They would have to send down an ordinance or No, these are exist the part-time position in the library is already a uh position that has a job description
and a salary ordinance. So they're just adding funds to add So they're adding $38,000 to cover additional staff. Thank Thank you, Mr. President. Motion's been made and seconded. Councelor Preier. Oh, I have a one quick question.
Um, also thank you for for um being here. Um, for your library materials, there is an in um an increase of of $20,000. What will you be using the what is included in those library materials with that increase? Library materials is everything we purchase that is winded at
the library. So, all the books, DVDs, anything else that we purchase that gets borrowed. And is there a reason for that substantial increase or are you So for us to receive state aid um through the state, we're required to spend 13% of our budget on materials. So by
increasing that by uh the 20,000, it brings us closer to that minimum of 13%. So I'm not using additional funds somewhere else to reach that 13%. Okay. Thank you. If we don't reach that 13%, we get um essentially descertified. Gotcha. Thank you. Thank you. Go. Thank
you. Motion has been made and seconded to approve the library budget as submitted. All in favor? All opposed? It carries. Next up, uh, celebrations on page 110. And I know I think this is where you may
have had a question, council. Um, celebrations on page 110. I jumped the gun. I'm sorry. um figured while we had Chuck up here, but he answered my question. So, I mean, if he wants to come up again and talk a little bit about it, he's more than
welcome to it. Mr. Chair, it was just the you already explained it, Chuck, the Labor Day celebration, how costs are going up, donations are not easy to get. So, I'm in support of this budget for celebrations and would make a motion to approve. Council Council Fell. Thank you, Mr.
Chair. Um, how are you, director? Good to see you. Um, I am I cannot support the the increase to the Labor Day budget for a couple of reasons. And the main one I can't is I'm the municipal design on the Malber 250 committee. I've had many conversations with the mayor about what that celebration is going to look
like for our 250th celebration. And to my understanding, we are going to rely more on free cash or even if the city might not be involved at all. We're not sure yet, but I have been told that we are not budgeting for those kinds of celebrations. So, I personally am not in favor of supporting this. If if that's
the precedent this administration is going to set, I think they we should stick to it and then there shouldn't be an increase at this time. So, I do not support the $10,000 increase for that reason. Um, but I I appreciate appreciate your comment and your passion. So, thank you. I I support what council was saying. Um, you could do
other ways to raise the funds as well. Good point, Council. Mr. Chair, I'll resend my motion based on the ev the information that's been provided and hopefully uh we won't have issues raising money, but uh free cash was mentioned. So, thank you, Mr. Ch. I'll resend my motion and ask that we don't
support the increase in the Labor Day parade by the 10,000 to decrease that 10,000 from the So, your motion is to reduce by 10,000. Yes. Yes. Motion has been made. I will second that to reduce celebrations budget line item by
$10,000. Any further discussion? Council Vital, what is what this other $2,000 for other celebrations and special events? What would that include? Uh all the different events we do we do with the family
festival as you know working with the wine as well. uh we do the part that those prices are going up and then cover the cost for something to get to 10 which are in the u as well. Thank you Mr. Director. Thank thank you Mr. Chair Councelor Roby.
Thank you Mr. Chair. Um I guess my question is related to that and I don't know Mr. Tibo if you can answer or if the mayor but I'm asking about the farmers market which I understand is not considered a city event anymore. Um, if that became not being done as it
currently is, would you be able to I mean, it would be next year's budget, but yeah, I know what you're saying. As far as that aspect of it, that won't cover all of it. I mean, when I asked for that increase, it was for numerous events, not just that particular event.
I would be able to raise those funds through my involvement account, but when I put it all together, I wouldn't be able to generate to say this amount of money would go towards that. This is me saying over the last few years this line hasn't increased and I've been going into raising the monies myself. My
department trying to offset those costs. So I'm reaching back out to say we have additional cost that associated with line for all the different uh activities that the recreation department performs and we do also calendar year. Um so it was just a lot. It wasn't just on that
particular um aspect of what you were speaking to. And councilors that are newer, we did have a part-time position for a while that handled celebrations. I believe it was in the mayor's budget. It got
reduced. I'm wondering and I can't I guess can't be added to this but maybe in the future it's a position that needs to be brought back if in fact the recreation person is running it. And I don't really think that celebrations are
really part of the recreation department's job description or necessary for them to be doing the fundraising. And if the mayor's office can't do it with their current staff, um, something should be done because we
need to make sure those events don't fall to the wayside. Sure. If I could speak to that, Mr. Chair. So through you, so just in regards to the Labor Day, it is a huge, huge ordeal that my office takes on. Um,
so just so you have an idea, the parade last year cost about $62,000 and that's usually about the average of what it is. Um, the donations that we did receive was about 34,000. Um, so there was a significant
difference there. So, um, I personally paid a little bit of money to this event, so it could be a success. Um, we started a little bit late. We are streamlining it already this year to make it beneficial. That's why the extra $10,000 was included to the Labor Day. There wasn't an increase um in many,
many years. Um owning a small business, I'll put that head on. Um small businesses get hit up quite a bit regarding donations um for a lot of events throughout the city. Um so, um Council Fella, if you want the 3% increase to donate somewhere, I'd be happy to take it with the Labor Day
parade. Um not not to to um put a joke on that, but um it's tough getting in and soliciting donations. You know, there's um now the holiday stroll, there's a family fun day, there's numerous events that whether the in the festival is separate from that. This is just for the Labor Day cost alone. Um
now there's another um event called a summer splash. So there's quite a few events that now need to get funded throughout. Um, and again, small business getting hit and we just had the mayor's mall. So, when you talk about the events throughout the
city, it's great that we're having them, but it's always on the backs of the small business owner. So, I just figured if I can throw down $10,000, um, I know it's it seems minimal, but with our budget, um, the way that it's looking, I understand if you want to cut, but um, something has to give at some point. So,
the Labor Day parade may not be as robust as what um it may be in the past just because given the situation, the climate. Um that's it for my soap box. I'm happy to work with whatever you get cuz we always figure it out. But that was the justification for $10,000 just
the the the cost of the parade. And I'd be happy to break down what the costs are. Um but um so if you want to cut it, then I will I will figure it out. making sense. Uh, councelor Naven, thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, mayor, thanks. That was
going to be my main question is what does it cost, right? And what is the delta? So, I appreciate that. Um, the other question I had was the increase on the summer concerts. Is that just Chuck? Is that just an increase in what costs are just with Okay. There's not an extra concert coming in or anything like that. We increased the concerts, too. When we
first had it out, we had six. Now we have 11. We have nine concerts and two kicks. It's all our concerts, you know. Yeah. No, I'm not. Yeah. And I'm not saying you should have more. No, it's great. um and the season is upon us and looking forward to it. Um I guess I would just Mayor I would echo what you said. Um the events that we continue to
see increasing around town are obviously incredibly helpful um for creating the kind of community that we're looking for um for bringing people downtown. Um the parade is obviously one of our it's our weekend to shine here. Um and it brings in a tremendous amount of people. I would also just argue um as we all know
it it brings so many people into town. It is creating money for businesses. It is creating um a whole lot of opportunities and giving the city the ability to showcase. So, um, will we make it work? Yeah, I'm sure we will. Um, but I do think that, um, being able to provide some investments in these things. Um, it does seem like every other day now, um, from, you know, late
summer through Christmas, uh, the Christmas season, there is something going on. So, um, appreciate everything that you guys are doing with the sho string. Um, but, you know, I think I think a little bit of an increase would be helpful. Thank you, Council. Councelor Brown. Um, thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, I would also
support keeping the $10,000 in that budget. Um, I am out in the community quite a bit and whenever people give me just random unsolicited feedback about our mayor, um, the one area where I just
continue to hear positive feedback, but it's more of the mood that it seems to put people in when they're talking about those community events that they get to participate in or Labor Day that's gone back so many generations that um, to be able to share share those experiences
that we experienced with, you know, our next generations. Um, I just feel like that's that's a $10,000 um investment into the greater mental health of our community. So, I support that. Thank Mr. Chair, I'll resend my
motion based on the conversation. And hold that thought. Hold that thought. I can't resend my motion. You can, but I'm going to um I'll hold off though and hear more conversation. Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, the mayor and I just philosophically disagree on this.
I don't think there should be a Saturday Labor Day festival interferes with the Greek activity up at the church that that and that's the feedback I receive. Fundraising, go fundra. And our our job as a city is not to fund all these
activities. There's a food truck festival that we get a grant for that's paid on the that plays out the following weekend. You know, it's I don't know what the we're not going to be funding and sell. Let me
tell $19 million budget increase, $770 on the average house. We've knocked off about less than $100,000. There's work to be done here, folks. All right. And with all the money we say that we have the potential to reduce, if that
comes back and they need something, bring it back then. But you what you're you want to put all the stuff in the budget, then make sure you go tell the taxpayer, thank you very much, and open up your wallet. This is your time to make some adjustments, and this should not be added to the budget. Thank you,
Mr. Chair. So, your your motion is spot on, councelor. Mo motion has been made and seconded to uh reduce line item 53652 by $10,000. All in
favor? One 234. All opposed? One. It carries 4 to one. Going on to Fort Meadows page one2. I will entertain a motion on this.
Mr. Chair, Council Fillo. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I uh had a couple questions about this budget, so I'd reached out to conservation officer Ryder and took uh spoke to some members um from the Fort Meadow Commission. As you see, it's level funded. Um there will be a new contractor for the weed control. Um and
so we'll be seeing a slight change there, but it seems like things should run smoothly this year. I know there was a little hiccup last year in terms of weed control, so um just keeping an eye on that situation. Other than that, I recommend approval as presented. Okay. Motion's been made and seconded to approve the Fort Meadows budget as
submitted. Any further discussion? Council Vital. I'm going to support this this motion, but again, it's it's it's it only benefits a certain amount of people in our town. All right. I I mean I can I guess I can go down to Memorial Beach and and take a dip if I want, but
this is a this is a annual money that goes to benefits the the folks that have a cottage along the the uh reservoir the most before everyone else. So, as kind of reiterating what Mr. President said, we got to start looking tight at this
thing and see what if we're going to be approving budget items, what benefits all of our residents and not just a part a part of our residents. And I do support this at this time. Council, Mr. Chair, through you to the mayor. What's what portion of this uh weed control
does Hudson participate and add any funding to the weed control? I'm getting a yes from Priscilla. So Priscilla can come up and speak to that. Just want to make sure it's fair. You know, they have Centennial, we have
Memorial Beaches. Yeah, I believe and um Diane can can correct me, but I think there's a like a third of what we what we have to charge for this contract comes from from Fort Meadow. They we we sort send them a bill
every pay some of it. Okay. But it's not 32,000 then it's another percent that percent you the third they pay a third to it probably like 50,000. Okay. Thank you. Thank you all. Thank you for councelor Navy. Thank thank you Mr.
Chair. Um through you just to respond to something councelor Vital said um I agree this is only for one part of the city but it is important to note that's because that's where this is located. Um Fort Meadow is a community gem. Um I will put my old hat on if uh councelor Filla will allow me to. Um well and the
way back machine for councelor Orum as well. So um you know that it's not just for the people who live there as you noted in Memorial Beach. um the first hot day of the year. Um you can't you'll you'll hear from the uh and councelor Landers would always call about this. Um the
people park all the way up the roads in Ward 7. Um it is a huge community asset for people who need a place to cool off. Um the water quality is incredibly important. When we all got together and talked about how dangerous it would be to have overdevelopment along the lake, we did so because it is a beautiful
gateway to the city. um it is a small investment I think for what it takes to really um keep that asset um as pristine as it is once invasives start to take over a water body it would could turn into a swamp real quick and then we would have a bigger financial problem on our hand so um I just wanted to offer
that up Priscilla thanks for your work on this thank you Mr. Sure. Thank you, Council Council Pressier. Thank you. Quick question for Priscilla. Um, what would be the consequences of reducing our weed control budget? Say, so say so if we reduced that weed control or if we just removed it entirely, what would
happen to um, Fort Meadow? Um, we would have an explosion of of weeds and then nobody could use. Great. That's all. Thank you, Council Ring. Oh, sorry. Sorry. You can
go. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I would also echo the comments of my fellow councelor Naven on Fort Meadow and it is a gem of the city and going back to recreation department. It's not just summer, it's also winter when you can now rent um
snowshoes to walk on the ice on Fort Meadow and in the summertime you can rent canoes to go. So it's not just people who live on the lake. all of the residents can enjoy the beauty of the lake with uh the recreation department.
Thank you. Thank you, council. Motion I believe a motion was already on the floor. I motion made and seconded to approve uh the Fort Meadows budget as submitted. All in favor carries 520. Thank you. Thank you, Priscilla.
Okay. Now, now moving on to police on page 55. Good evening, Chief Georgie. Mr. Chair, if I could, Mr. President, make sure the microphone goes over to the I've got feedback that people can't hear the department heads because the
microphone isn't close enough on Thank you, Mr. Chair. If you want, I'll yield to the police chief first. I had a couple questions for the police. Absolutely. Thank you. First of all, thank you again for your lengthy report. It's very important to me. Um, on your
first page, um, does the Mass Police Association have a number based on population. You mentioned you have your 52 police officers. Are we within the first, do they have it or does someone have a standard that says 52 is okay for
a population of 40 plus? Well, I think I think we'd have to have more information on that to be honest with you, sir. Um, we had we've had that 52 since uh FY20 and uh prior to that, we had only gone up um in the previous two years, four
four officers in those two years. So, and so when I started in um 1999, we had 48 officers. We had 48 offices all the way up until FY20 when we raised it by two or 18, excuse me, and then two more
in FY20. So, um, definitively we don't have an accurate number of how many we need. I think we'd have to do a study or look at it, but um, that's why I was in opening increase a little bit. No, and I actually I support that and I support the part of the traffic division as
well. Just as importantly, I support the fact that as the fire department has. I don't know if they're unionized and all, but they're sub chiefs or assistant chiefs, whatever they're called at the fire department. So, those are my questions. I support the police budget and just for the sake of making a
motion, I'll make a motion to approve for discussion, you know, obviously. Thank you, Council. Council B. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Evening, Chief. educational incentives, a 36% increase. Could you explain to me what that is?
So, in in um in 2012, the patrol union negotiated with the city where their education incentives became a flat stipen. Um in the in the uh most recent negotiations, that was changed. So, everyone went back to a percentage. So,
they are paid for their education now based on a percentage of their base salary. Is that is is that uh mast's you know b is that college degrees or is that hazardous duty training order chief can you talk into
the microphone just I'm sorry sir it's not me it's I was just trying to look at him that's all um so the way their education incentives work is they're they're paid a percentage of their salary based on what type of degree they have. So if they have an associates degree they get a certain percentage
then a bachelor's degree and a master's degree. And I was saying back in 2012 that had changed. I went to a flat stipened for depending on the degrees. In uh more recently with the um the new contract for the union, it reverted back
to a percentage of their salary. That's what the increase is for. Along those lines, just as a little bit of back history, the command officers had the same percentage the entire time. So there was always a discrepancy between the two unions. one was being paid at a
higher rate than the than the patrol officers and many other municipalities in the area have gone back to that percentage. So, we were competing with other departments trying to recruit officers when um they weren't being paid
as they would be in another department. That answer your question, Con? So just again I'm just want to completely understand is this a forecasted amount that we're certain that it's going to happen or it might
happen. No, it's going to happen but what the the union and the city agreed to is they were going to phase that back in. So it's going to be phased in over the three years of the contract. So instead of um saying for an officer who has a bachelor's degree, they're going
to get 20% of the salary this year. Uh they're going to get a a percentage of that. So they're going to uh I'd have to look at exactly what the number is, but it's going to be broken down into three increments over the three years of the contract. Yeah, but I just couldn't find it. So that's
it. Okay. So for instance, somebody with a bachelor's degree in FY25, they would receive 10% FY 26 15% and FY 27 20%. That's when it would top out. Thank you. Thank you, Chief. Thank you,
Mr. That's all negotiated with during negotiations. Correct. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you, Chief George. And it's also counting current positions that you know have the degrees. Yes, ma'am. Oh, okay. Thank you. Council Ch. Thank
you, Mr. Chair. Um just one Thank you, Chief, for being here. Just one quick question. Um in reviewing this previous year's budget, right, we're 1012 through. So going and taking a look, I see that we've moved from overtime court from that. Let me see what number it is.
51320. 51320. We've already moved money out of that and we're we've spent what here $60,000 of what was an original $146,000 appropriation. So is there a reason why we're we're so under there? Is there a reason why we're not utilizing that overtime? Well, I I just think the the
demand for the officers to be in court has uh lessened a little bit. I know during co we use that account more because there was no court. I mean, it wasn't open and now it's kind of slowly getting back on its feet and we're using more of it, but at the same time, you
know, we can't really control that. You know, the court doesn't uh if they don't need the officers. Yeah. They don't need them. Sure. No, I appreciate that insight. I I personally would be in favor of reducing um that line item by 20,000 just as a you know cost-saving measure for the taxpayers. But if there is a need, right, always come back and
more than willing to fund that. I just think that would be one opportunity to save money for the city. And I I know years ago too, we we had some up numbers and low numbers as well for the uh for the overtime maybe because not going as much to Marro Court, more to Framingham,
things of that nature. Yeah. Right. I I I would agree. I mean, I think the demand for the officers to be in Marbor, even superior court was was higher in previous years, but it isn't as much more recently. I I would support that, council. Uh, Council Vital, uh,
Presiano, thank you, Chief, for being here. Um, I I know that you guys have a new position coming in, deputy chief. Uh, you're hoping to to get that funded. um what would that look like in terms of your responsibilities if that there is a
position filled? Um would that increase your responsibilities, decrease your responsibilities? Would that make your life easier? Hopefully. My hope is to share some of my responsibilities. Um right now I I'm the only non officer in building. So with respect to some of the
information we have, some of the um events and some of the responsibilities, I I can't share that with some of the the the union officers. So, by having another non-UN uh command officer below me, it would one provide, you know, a clear second in command. Right now, we
don't really have a clear second in command. We have we have two captains, but they're both in the union. So, it makes some aspects of my job difficult to share with them. But by having a a deputy chief, it would, I guess, in essence, lessen some of my
responsibilities or allow me to share more of them. So likely lessen your workload. Hopefully it would help me. Yes, sir. Yes. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, council president. Council council villa. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um to my understanding, the original motion was
was never seconded. So I would move um to approve the budget on the condition that we reduce uh item 51320 by $20,000. I will motion's been made. I will second that to approve the police uh to reduce the police uh department budget at line
item 51320 by $20,000. Any further discussion? I'll yield to council. Councelor Roby. Thank you. Um I was also going to question about the new position of the deputy chief, but I also wonder if you can talk about the two new
positions for traffic that you have in your budget. Well, right now we have we have two traffic officers and we have one traffic sergeant. Um I think for anybody who's come to a traffic commission meeting, I think the uh the the demand from the public is more
enforcement and to um you know expand our responsibilities in that sense. And right now we have one officer who works during the day, officer Rose, and one officer u Paul Connor who works during the evening. Officer Connor is retiring in uh a couple of months, so we'll need to
replace that position. But at the same time, I'm hoping to expand the uh the the duties of that unit. I mean, it Officer Larose does a lot of different activities for us. Um he manages all of our um speed sign data. Um he also
manages all the uh servicing of our vehicles. So, he's kind of spread thin in some senses. So, sometimes he's not able to be on the road as much doing as much enforcement during the day. Um, we just upgraded our radio uh system with our portables, our handhelds, and I mean
our cruiser radios and all the infrastructure in the city with the fire department. Officer Rose, Officer Larose and um, assistant chief Emanuel kind of spearheaded that for us. So without him working in conjunction with the fire department, we would have been really behind in what we needed. So during
those multiple weeks, he was not on the road doing traffic enforcement. He was helped with the radio system. So, what I'm trying to do is have more bodies on the road, more people doing traffic enforcement. Thank you. And also, if you approve the budget as presented with the
reduction, do you also need to deal with the order for the actual position, the new position? Does that need to be voted on by this body as a recommendation? That is, Mr. President. So to that point, councelor Roby, I would ask the mayor to send a formal communication
with the job description and salary ordinance because you can approve the line item line item in the budget, but they're not getting paid unless we approve a salary or correct as well as a job description. It via email is not considered formal. I need it on the
agenda for formal tracking. Yes, sir. Thank you. For the the the position, I I guess I'm sympathetic to it. my friends in the fire department, they have two fine assistant chiefs and you are kind of on your own. Yes. So, I I I see that
and I recognize the need for that as far position if we're going to have a uh you know, someone that hopefully would mentor to be your replacement. Doesn't guarantee it, but um Right. Yes, sir. Um I support the the reduction in court
OT and I won't bore you with all the past years. We just haven't been spending that line item, folks. So, it's there's nothing that's going to be missed by doing this. I I do have a question though, Chief, on the school officers or resource
officers. Why does Malro put a resource officer at Asipet? Are we paying all of it? No. Okay. ASP's paying that. Um, all right. That was that wasn't clear. reading your letter sounded like we were paying it and I was not pleased that
that you when it pays for it you pick up half of it folks it's not a free right but but that I just want to make sure they were picking up their share of the resource officer right so uh I believe it was 2020 with some of the police reform act we needed to have a school
resource officer in all of the the schools or someone dedicated to it so at the time I had approached uh superintendent hoo about um partnering with the department to have a school resource officer at ASPID and um you know through his cooperation we're able to work it out. So Aspet does fund that
position and um we do invoiced uh Aspid Valley for the 10 months that the officers there is is this is the second captain position filled? I know. No. Oh, Captain
A just retired, correct? A week ago. And um Dan Campbell has been serving as the acting captain for the for Captain Bellant who retired a year and a half ago. Okay. And then for as far as folks in the trainingmies, you got two. Yes,
sir. We have two. They finished July 30th, I think, or 26th, somewhere in there. Okay. So, so councils, if if you're in favor of the deputy chief position, you know, you can approve the monies in the budget now, which is fine,
but you need to have a salary ordinance and a job description in order to make that official. So, I'm anticipating the mayor will send that down to the council to be taken up by finance, properly advertised and all uh you before can because I I is the posting going to be
internal? Yes, sir. and then external depending on where you're going or hopefully someone in the ranks wants. I believe we have pretty uh we have some pretty qualified candidates internally. So, okay. Thank you, Chief. Sir, thank you, Mr.
President. Mo Council or I actually looking I had that same question on ask. Thank you, Mr. President. Um I noticed I had another question here if I may. It's under overtime regular. uh FY2025 was revised to 410. It was
originally at 330. Um when it was revised, was it revised because of the need to bring it up to 410 or Yes, sir. So, that's where we would use some of that court overtime or um something from the a salary line item to move it in
there just because we had so many open positions uh that we needed to backfill some of the old time with that. Okay. So you're you're budgeting this year FY26 for 330,000. Uh will this cover FY26? Are
you projecting that it's going to go down again? I mean I hope our I hope we're fully staffed again so that we reduce our overtime with the two that are coming out of the academy in June will be fully staffed at 52. So So if you're fully staffed that might or as as the theme of the night has been, we
might see you again. Thank you. I hope not. Thank you, Council. A motion has been made and seconded to reduce the police department budget line item 51320 by $20,000. All in favor? It carries 5 to
zero. Thank you, Chief Georgie. Thank you. Uh, next up is the fire department on page 59. Good evening, Chief Brain. Council, thank you, Mr. Chair. And by all means, I'm not trying to take
the first spot for questions. So, if any council wants to go ahead of me, feel free to. If not, I have a couple questions for the chief. Uh, welcome, chief. Um, you had done a nice job as the police chief did going over more or less a summary on overtime vehicle
repair and maintenance. It's account number 51324. Does this position require that it be an online firefighter? I didn't know, you know, like DPW has a mechanic division. Um, you don't have a mechanic
on site. your firefighter is the mechanic if you could maybe help. That's correct. Thank you for your question. Yes. Uh to explain um the way that is currently configured uh and I'm being cautious because it is part of ongoing negotiations. There's a
discussion about how we will look ahead in the future and fulfilling those responsibilities, but right now you're spot on. So right now what we do is we take a line firefighter. You'll note this in the organizational chart that we submitted. We take a line firefighter and what we do is we allocate or we
budget and that line item um money to pay that person an overtime rate to come in while not assigned to a line function. So that person will come in on their days off and fulfill mechanical duties while not performing his assigned
role as a firefighter on a particular platoon. And is that person I don't want to get involved with union negotiations either, but that person is that type of maintenance like overhauling an engine or is that that's a great question counselor. So no um they do minor
mechanical repairs but significant repairs are still outsourced and you'll notice that's where we have approximately 300,000 280 to 300,000 in vehicle repair maintenance. So we expend monies in vendors to do major repairs.
Thank you. And I another question um under your minimum staffing plan you have in highlighted in yellow not fully supported. I just curious what you meant by that. So um yes apologize for that. That was just probably a poor choice of words. Um so when I was working with the
mayor, one of the things that we have continuously proposed is to increase shift staffing. So you'll recall the published report the MRI municipal resources incorporated was uh tasked and performed a managerial or organizational assessment of Marbor fire. In that
document it recommended that uh the city move towards um uh achieving national compliance with shift staffing for a community our size. Uh, and I'll just uh I'll just share with you that that calls for a minimum of 16 personnel per duty
per on duty per shift. So right now um or or rather in all of these consecutive years I have advocated increasing shift staffing. We can do that by either uh increasing overtime andreasing increasing the minimum number and
replacing those people using overtime or a combination of hiring more people. So invariably each year I do a combination of both. That was not fully supported this year in terms of my plan to uh submit a proposal to hire additional firefighters to keep that minimum staff.
That's correct. So So yeah. So daytimes we we run right now at a minimum of 16, but at night times we will run down to 14. Okay. And um there is a reduction in so hard to follow sometimes the fire lieutenants. Uh, is that just based on,
if I'm on the right line, yeah, fire lieutenants, there was a reduction. Is that based on new people? Actually, no, council. That is a change from our fiscal year 2025 whereby we ended up with more. So, between fire
captains and fire lieutenants, we have a total of 12 positions. What happened is we were in the middle of a promotional process where we didn't have a list to promote. So, we had three captains where we should have had four. So where we have eight lieutenants, we had nine. So what happened is we had nine lieutenants
last year, three. So you saw a reduction in the captain, an increase in lieutenant, and this year we corrected that. That's why I'm not not arguing it. And I did have a last question. Again, I don't want to get into union negotiations, but are your two assistant chiefs union or not? No, they're
non-union. They serve as part of the management team that helps with the police department. And they're here tonight. Yeah, I saw you to answer questions. The two Jeffres are here. That's fine. Yes, they are. Yeah. And uh thank you for that. I just want to try to compare apples to apples as the police chief is working on that as well. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Council
Vital. Thank you, Mr. Chair. First of all, Chief, thank you for being here. I know the uh your department had a very busy day today and I want to recognize uh the gallant and heroic um performance that your that your men have done today. I know what it's not easy and my prayers
are with them. Uh three line items. Call fire overtime. It's a a 20% increase. Can you explain why such a because it the previous years it was level the last two years it was level funded and then now a 20% increase. Can you one of our Thank you
for the question and thank you for those comments. They're very meaningful. It was a it was a tough day for all and they did an exceptional job today. Um so with respect to that line item uh councelor uh we are trying to complete
an organizational goal of adding a fire department training officer. You'll see an increase of $21,600 which was determined by doing something very similar to how we handled the mechanics position. What we would like to do is retain somebody in an in a
uh most fire departments our size have like a full-time fire training officer. They work days and not assigned to a line function. That is obviously going to be a considerable cost increase. So we are proposing to take this step and complete
that very important task by having somebody do it outside of their regular schedule. So that we took a budgeted amount uh times 16 hours a week for a 52- week year and came up with 21,600. And that's what that increase in
the call firefighter overtime covers. Um it it should be evident when you look at the expenditures in that line item that it fluctuates. That line item covers the costs of for instance today we did what we call a recall or an all offduty
personnel come in um for a structure fire. So while we try to do our best to predict what that annual exposure will be, sometimes it's higher in some years than others, you know, if we have a significant extended event, whether it be a hazardous materials event or some
type of natural or man-made disaster andor brush fire, um we can see those expenses dramatically increase and each year you might see that up and down by virtue of our our fire experience. So that's uh that's some of the fluctuation year to year. Thank you very much. I got
two more. Uh emergency medical training again it goes up you know 10% um and again it was it went up like h like 5% from fiscal year 24 to 25 and now it's going up 10%. Can you explain why it's
such a big jump? Uh just specifically councelor which which line item uh 51480. Okay. The incentives, the NT sert incentives, the emergency medical training. What's this? 51480.
Yeah, that I call it the emergency certification incentive. So, um that covers the uh roll up or incentives for personnel to obtain and maintain EMT certification. So, they're paid a percentage of their base wages. And what
we are seeing is as we hire additional people, we have people now who are increasing their certification. So any member who receives and maintains EMT certification gets paid for that and it's paid out uh either they the employees choose whether it's weekly or
in a lump sum. Is that a contractual amount? Is that is Yes, it is. And so we have seen an increase where we have newer members who are in class and are attaining that certification. Therefore, the cost will Good. Thank you. Mhm. And one last one. Um again, a pretty sub
substantial increase. Um is the vehicle I know everything's going up. I get I get it. But vehicle repair and maintenance is going up $28,000. Um and again, another 10% increase. Is that based on what you
forecast or is that based on what we're paying right now? That type of increase. So, another great question, councel. Historically, I always cringe. Uh, annually we look at an escalation of approximately 10%. Sometimes we uh, you know, it's it's just slightly less. A
lot of times it's more, but that's based upon uh our experience with escalation and and rising cost as well as an aging fleet. Um, so for instance, uh, this year, uh, we we had a truck that, uh, unfortunately was determined to be um,
non-repable. It was uh we had a delamination in the frame rails. We were surprised and told it had to be taken out of service and we had to act uh very quickly. We did that by securing uh money from this particular count to
acquire a used piece of fire apparatus just to serve as a reserve piece from another community that uh frankly gave us a pretty good deal on it. Thank you, Chief. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, so to start
off, so I would support reducing the call fire overtime line item by by the entire increase of 21,600. Real simple. Fiscal year 24, ended the year with $35,000 balance. Through this year, they've only spent
52. They've only spent half of what they've asked for. The position, the training, I got it, chief. I understand it. Support it 100%. but they don't need the extra money to support the position. Real simple. So, the council should have
no issues with reducing that funding and still know that the job in that new position that they want to put in there or the additional hours for the individual is going to get done. And finally, last year we ended the fire department budget
$493,000 under budget. It's kind of an eye opener. 493,000 under budget. So, I'm trying to convey there is money in this budget that's just not being spent in a poultry
$21,600 is not going to the fire department. We've got a lot more work to do. So, I would hope the finance committee has no issues with reducing that line item by $21,600. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, Mr. President.
At this point, I will entertain a motion. Councelor Coachillo. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, and thank you, Chief, for being here. I completely agree with Councelor Rosing's point. Um, I too had that same, you know, understanding, the fact that it's been half spent with this new position, having read it in the supplemental budget materials. I feel
that you guys can continue to have this position. So, for that reason, I recommend approval of the budget with the decrease of $21,600 to the call OT line item. Motion has been made. I will second that to reduce the fire department's budget line item
51328 by $21,600. Council with the notion that the door is open if indeed they need to come back. All in favor? All oppose? It carries 520. Thank you, Chief Breen. Thank
you. Okay, moving on. Next will be to let's see DP DPW uh prop uh property and building maintenance on page 40. Good. Good. Good evening,
Commissioner. council. Um, my favorite subject, natural gas. Mhm. I again, I this I'm going to sound like a broken record here, but we really need to start looking at an energy
profile, and I'm sure other councilors may feel the same way that it's, and I know even in my own household, it's been ridiculous how much gas has gone up. But I would ask that you know the consideration be made. I I know you
noted 300,000 the FY25. So the question is is what has been spent on natural gas at this point? It it shows you were budgeted in FY24 for 300,000. I'm just curious where you're at right now in this fiscal year, the FY25 year.
Where are we at? How much you spent? How much you've spent on natural gas? So, we're on we're on track for that for the 300. Okay. You're projecting 400 and,000 for next year. Now, that's line item 5220.
So, last year we had some colder uh degree days. Also, uh we have a slight increase. Um the uh mayor just signed a natural gas contract. Um we locked in. We caught it right when it dipped. Um it
it only went up it'll only be going up 12% from last year. Pretty much in line with where it was 2 years ago, but it was a lot higher. So that will take effect in November, but we locked it in for 3 years. So uh May did a great job
and uh also Chris Homie the procurement officer. uh we've all been watching it and um hopefully that means we won't we won't be seeing any uh any increases in the in the budget line item but okay so correct me if I'm wrong 12% of 300 would
be 36,000 if I'm correct but that's just the that's just the supply side so it's not that easy the delivery side I yeah so no I'm trying to see if we can reduce that and try to promote for incentives to look for a better way to maybe
utilize renewable energies and might it be um a geothermal well or something of that nature. Uh I know where I worked previously in Ashland, they put a geothermal well in their new middle school. Um that's the line item I would ask maybe some consideration. If you're
looking at 336 then you're looking basically at 64,000 if that's I hope I have my but then again you mentioned delivery. I don't it's kind of like witchcraft to some deg uh but that's an increase of
33.33% that 100,000. I would ask that we chat about it. I'll wait for the discussion. Mr. Chair, I know in the the past council, you've you've mentioned that uh in the past you've cut but $100,000 $50,000. One year I think you did
$200,000. So yes, that was in your wheelhouse to be able to make those reductions. Council uh Mr. President. So so to council or and then also council Roby. So if you notice we've count we've cut these every year and they've added money back in. So where have they added the money from?
Positions that haven't been filled. All right. So I would still say the same thing. We should take 50,000 out of gas and 100,000 out of electricity. And guess what? If they need the money, they'll get it. And there's ways to do it with internal transfers and midyear and end of year transfers. But again,
you got to start thinking about what the bottom line for the taxpayer is on this thing. We have not cut enough money out of the budget yet. Unless you're happy if you're happy with $770 increase, state it and go. But I'm not. So I I'm hoping
the finance committee will see it to reduce the gas line item by 50,000 and the electricity line item by 100,000. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Council vital. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um again at the end of at the end of March uh property and building maintenance was
was at 68% um where they should be at 75%. So you you're already this past year overall I'm talking about you were um a significant amount below what we had budgeted for. There may be some I
have no ideas about payments late in the year. So you're you're you got to remember the bills lag by a month. So currently currently it's somewhat on track. I'm not you can do what you want. I'm just saying it's it that's a hard one. Um the school one's even harder
because we have the um solar um metering and the credits. So it's a harder one to look at at a spe a specific spot in time. But thank you council. I believe I still have the floor. I'd like to make the
motion u to reduce blind out 52120 electricity by 100,000 and 522 0 natural gas by 50,000. Mot motion has been made. I will second that uh to
reduce the repair uh the uh property and building maintenance line items uh 52122 by $100,000 and to reduce 522000 line item by $50,000. Any further discussion? Council Brown. Thank you,
Mr. Chair. I actually had a couple of questions. Um one of them was for the repairs and maintenance of municipal buildings. It's the 52469 is the item number. Um, and so
that one saw the increase of um, 50,000 and that item stands at 325. I was going to propose to reduce the increase by 25,000. um just based on the
same philosophy that councelor Austin had shared that um I just didn't see the historical spending and it's something that we can transfer if it if it needs to happen. And what line I'm sorry um it's repairs
and maintenance of municipal buildings 52469. So to bring it down to 300,000 instead of the 325 that's proposed 52. Um it's on page 42. It's the top
item on page 42. The one that's yellow. Well, yellow on my page. The 52469 to reduce that by how much? by 25,000. So to make it 300,000 versus
325. Okay. So, and I did have another question too. So, council council vital I'm I'm conf I heard 325 and 50. I'm not sure what the motion was. Uh so I approve I second the motion that uh uh
council vital had for the uh 100,000 and the 50,000 and councelor Brown would like to have a motion to reduce line item 52469 by 25,000 69
46. Excuse me, Mr. Chair. What was the I'm I have air pollution. I mean, sound pollution over here. This air conditioner is blowing in my ear over here and all I hearing is ringing. What was the the the uh addendum to the motion? Yes. So, councelor Brown would
like to add uh line item 52469 and reduce that line item by $25,000. That would go with your motion. Where is It's page 42, the very top line item. There it is.
Don't be too hasty with the air conditioner. It feels nice in here. We'll give you money for that. Are you Are you fine with that, Council Vital? Um, thank you. Now I can afford that cut.
You would have to add all those three if council wants to resend. Okay. I have I actually had one additional question, Mr. Chair, for Okay. All right. Yeah.
Um, do you want you want I will amend my motion to and Okay. So you you want to add any other move? Um I I do actually have present question. Council Vital will resent his motion. So again I'd like to um well council Brown will make
the motion. Okay, please. Or I actually I had one other item. Um if I may ask um the auditor Diane Smith to ask um answer a question um for on the same page. So, it's the
53999 other services. Um, in our current fiscal year, um, what have we spent of the 106,500? Um, I don't have that in front of me. I can look for that information. Okay. I have the answer. President or did I have
that? So, you have uh this is as of this is as of today. Um, so you have available 51,000. It's at roughly 59% right now. The that's one of the smaller line
items. The repair and maintenance is at 88%. Okay. Just um that's 53 99999 5399. Yes.
Um I was also going to propose to reduce that by 20,000. 20,000. Mhm. Okay. You want to make your just for for historical um spending and again that was line item
5399 other services 20,000. Yes. So that would bring it down to 86,500. Thank you Councelor uh Brown. All right. So you have those 1 2 3 four motion. Is that your motion to reduce? Um yes. Um
so I move to reduce the gas line item by 50,000. and the electric line item by 100,000, the repairs and maintenance to municipal buildings line item by 25,000 and other services by 20,000.
Motion Motion has been made. I will I will second that to reduce the property and building maintenance line item 52469 by 25,000 52120 by 100,000
5220 by 50,000 and line item 5399 by $20,000. Any further discussion? Council Fill. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um I just want to ensure I understand we have a job to do today, right? We are looking
for opportunities to save the taxpayers money. Yes. However, I want to ensure that you know these two additional cuts are things that you guys at DPW, you know, would be able to I know you can always come back, but is there a reason why you asked for the $50,000 increase in terms of is there a specific project
you know is going to happen where you need this funding for? Facilities are we're always trans transferring money into facilities. Facilities is usually the the stepchild that never gets funded. So, it's always we're always transferring into it and the costs keep
going up. So, that that was the reason why. Okay. Thank you. Good question. Congratul. Thank you. Um, thank you for being here. Um, I did have a a question about um the houseworker line item. Um, how much of that has been spent? That's a
50560 so far. Maybe you could explain what that line item is as well. That's custodians. So right now those are city custodians. Okay. The school the custodians of the school are under the school budget.
And how much of that has been spent so far this year? 87%. Thank you. Okay. Should be the jump. Motion's been made and seconded with those reductions. All in
favor? It carries 520. So 195. Next up is DPW administration on page 79. Page 79. Oh, monitor. I didn't know what that was.
Excuse me. Do you do schools first or uh still on the uh schools is the next? Yeah, page 67. Oh, I apologize. Page Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner. Page 67. Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner. All right.
Page 67. Maintenance on schools. Thank you, Mr. here. Again, we're looking at natural gas with 20% increase uh 100,000 increase as well
as um I was looking at the I had a question on that as well as uh the sick leave buyback and maybe there's a good explanation for the buyback. That's a 21% increase and the natural gas is a 20% increase. If I could maybe hear from
the commissioner on both line items. Sickly buyback means someone in the that's a union contract. Someone became eligible for that. So that's why that gets added. Thank you for your answer. And then the um you know the discussion we've been having on natural gas. So
again that's a a hefty increase and I would ask and same with um electricity is not as bad. you got it's interesting now the electricity is only 5.76% increase but when you look at the natural gas it's a 20% and as noted
before um you know my incentive to reduce that is to try to get the incentives out there to look for other forms of energy I would ask that we cut the line item for natural gas by 50,000 and I know that in the years past you've
also looked at the electricity line item as well councelor Which one was that? I'm sorry. The electricity line. Yeah, I saw that and I only saw a 5.76% increase. Maybe if the commissioner can let us know at this point in the calendar year, the FY25
year where we are percentage-wise, that might help to make a decision on on both of them. Actually, if you have that, Mr. Chair, Mr. President, we're 58% on electricity. I' I'd be comfortable with eliminating the increase and reduce 100,000 out of this
electricity account as we did last year. That and that is exactly what we did last year, Mr. President. Thank you. Where are we with natural gas if I may ask on that other part of that question? We know we're at 58% electric 75%. Thank you, Mr. President.
Natural gas as of today is 81%. 81. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Commissioner. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yep. Councelor Brown. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, so for this section, I actually had noted um a
$100,000 reduction for the electricity. Um, and I had actually also noted a $100,000 reduction for gas, but um 50,000 that I know President O has a very good feel for the figures and the
numbers and the historical references. Um, I also had um a $50,000 reduction to level fund the repair and maintenance line item for the same reason um as the other one. But if
we're coming up close, then I would also consider reducing it by 25,000 instead of 50. Um, I'd like to hear from Commissioner Scott where that's at. I think it's the same reason um as the other one. We transfer money into that
all the time. So, we trying to get it in the account. Okay. Um, thank you. Um, but for the interest of um the taxpayers, um, I I am going to I guess stick with the at least the 25,000. So,
what line item was that? That is 52469. Oh, is it the same one? It's the same one. Oh, same code. Getting tired. I apologize. Um, so I I
would make the motion to reduce the electricity line item by 100,000, the gas line item by 50,000, and the repairs and maintenance by 25,000. And that was by 25,000. Mhm.
Motion has been motion has been made. I will second that uh on the maintenance of schools to re reduce line item 52120 by 100,000 line item 522000 by 50,000 line item 52469 by
25,000. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? That carries 520. Thank you, Councelor Brown. Thank you. All right. Now, moving on to DPW administration on page 79.
I open that any discussion. I have no personal questions on this line item. So, motion to approve. Motion has been made. I will second that to approve the uh the to approve the department um of DPW administration uh as submitted. Any
further discussion? All in favor? Carries 520. Next up is the DPW engineering on page 81. Mr. Chair. Oh, Mr. President. So, h how come the assistant city engineer since it's not in last year's budget isn't
identified as a new position in this year's budget? So, um last year's budget um as in the supplemental this the DPW succession plan, we had the the assistant city engineer position was
occupied. That person moved to the capital projects manager that vacated that spot. We um we uh sent down a new job description for new qualifications to make that the successor to the city engineer. So that um uh that the person
that's in that that's uh an internal candidate that would qualify for that uh with lensure and all and uh and um other background. We anticipate now to uh be hired in that position at some point
during the the um next fiscal year. So it was it was deactivated. It wasn't filled. So we didn't we didn't put it in the budget. Now now we're going to fill it. So now it's being put back in. So Mr. Commissioner, I'm I'm not really challenging. It's really to the mayor.
These are new positions. So, you're either going to have a sheet that says how many new positions we're adding to the city or we're not. All right. And to be truthful and upfront so that everybody knows, you know, we've added five part-time librarians, an assistant
city engineer, which is the council approves is fine, but the page in the budget book doesn't reflect that. So, we have to go through and sift through the background information to determine that. I don't think that's being upfront. I don't think it's done deliberately. No, it's not. It's it's
just hey, you're either going to put the right information in the budget book or not. Just take that for what it's worth. Thank Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank good point, Mr. President. I will entertain a motion. Council Brown. Thank you. Move
to approve as presented. Motion has been made. I motion has been made and seconded to approve the engineering department budget as uh submitted. Any further discussion? All in favor? That carries. 520. Thank you, Council Brown.
Thank you. Okay. Now moving on to snow and ice on page 84. Council, my same question. You're probably familiar with it. Where are we this year with snow and ice? So the transfer is u going to be approximately
1.5 million 1.5 million. So we're over now next next council. So are you predicting a mild winter next year? I don't I'm teasing. I'm teasing. I This is done in every city in town. They're guesstimates. Most likely we'll be seeing you again.
We'll be seeing you on this year as well, but I mean they're keeping it low. Um I I don't think it's been realistic through there was 1.6 6 and FY24. So, it's really 1.5 or so 1.6. But again, it's seems to be the way things
are budgeted. So, with that said, hopefully free cash will have plenty of it next year and we can look at this, but I would support this and motion to approve. Mo motion was made. I will second that uh to approve the um DPW
snow and ice budget line item. U Mr. President. So, so Ted the in past years when we got to this point and I don't know how it happens but all a sudden there's amazing reduction in the amount of encumbered funds that just they were
either overly encumbered or not because and I'm just asking is it happening this time or is 1.5 million the right number? Yes, it is the right number. All right. It's coming down soon. So, well, it's come down in the past when
all of a sudden there's a step change in the May report that I challenge Diane with each year and just the way monies are encumbered that then all of a sudden aren't encumbered anymore. And I and I never understand why. So, but it
goes in the right direction so I'm not really complaining. So, I'm the person to ask. Okay. So when a lot of that comes from um so during the winter um the the contractors that plow and salt, we we
encumber a lot in that. We have no idea. So we over encumber. You could you could use that word. We put a cushion in there because during snow and ice when you're trying to keep up with the invoices, a lot of times if we if we just keep watching and keep increasing as we go, a
lot of times we miss it. So we over encumber. We kind of look at last year, see what if a if a contractor like a CMS has seven pieces of equipment, we see what they did last year and put it on there and then and then watch what happens. So we'd we'd rather not just
keep encumbering. And I'm sure Diane would not like it either. We keep, hey, can you, hey, can you make SNG another $1,000 for next week, you know? So, we keep it higher. So, then at the end, we we have a spreadsheet that keeps track of every storm, every hour, and we color
code it. So, when Brian called uh on a Friday and wanted to know what it was, I could go to that spreadsheet and look the number up. And then we had the end of the year uh perfect attendance bonuses and that and so forth. So, we knew it all. And then uh we just um I
don't know what in April we just did it we just lowered them today. So if you look at Munis today the the numbers are within I would say $10,000. All those have been reduced. And then the other one is on the materials contract is the
is the rock salt that's over in cuz we never know how much we're going to use. So we put in and now we've we've drawn that down too. So, you'll if you look at Munis now, you'll see the it's at it's it's within we haven't I haven't double checked it, but it's within like 10,000
or so. Diane won't give me access to What's that? Diane won't give me access to Mun. Well, Colleen just Colleen just printed me a a report for today, so I'm all set on it next time. I'm good. Thank you, M. Motion has been made and
seconded to approve the uh snow and ice uh budget as submitted. All in favor? Cons, I I just had a question on you brought up the fact that you use rock salt. How much salt is used throughout
the city and is it good or bad? It's necessary. So, um, we use I think if you look at other cities and towns, we use less. We're very judicious in how we do it. We don't go out and throw salt down unless we have to. So the other
thing is we have the brine system. When we can use that if it's if it's dry and it's not going to rain before the snow, we put that down. That saves about a third and it's much more efficient. So we have all kinds of tools. The old school method was just to throw it down.
We don't do that anymore. So, um, we did, um, not knowing what the what the, uh, likelihood of what's going on in the in the world market, we loaded up our salt shed at the end of the year. So, sometimes we let it we we leave a little
room depending on what the rate was. This year, we loaded it up just in case they get their salt from Canada or something and we have a a tariff or something. But, uh, so, so we also do that. So, but we we don't we don't like
to put down because what it does is it it it affects our roads and it affects our Kes. That's just more money we got to spend on the other end. And and I guess that's along with you when you're talking at site plan for developments. I know we've got a car wash coming up
before soon and they're talking about their salt use. Um, so how does that impact? I know we don't use our own water supply. So, but the salt's going somewhere. Is it harmful? It is. So, so
the the bodies of water, we we monitor the salt in them. They've they've been higher. I think they've been coming down a bit, but it's it's the private sector. It's us. We've done our job. The state is was was not so good before. They've gotten better. It's it's the private
developers, too. the liability. They throw salt down. We've been trying to get better. City hall tends to tends to throw a lot of salt down, but we try to get better at that. Uh there's more liability around there. Private developers also salt salt costs have
gone up, so they try to limit. They've gone into brine systems as well. So, when things cost a lot, people tend not to use it as as much. And we'll never go back to sand because that's that's even a worse pollutant. Okay. And salt damages vehicles. So the impact on the
city vehicles. Absolutely. And you It's like bathing. It's like driving them through the ocean. Yeah. Our our assault uh fleet takes a hit. As much as we try to clean them, they get into areas that you can't you can't get at on a on a like when you're just trying to wash it
down. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Council. Motion has been made and seconded to approve the snow and ice as submitted. All in favor? It carries. 520. Next up is DPW Streets on page 86. What page? Hit page
86. Councelor Brown. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, I had a question about um item 53140. It's on page 87, contract services. Um, so I was just
wondering where we're at with spending for the current fiscal year. Um, sure. The the increase here is for two new contract rate increases. the line painting that um that we put out for a contract, which is the which is the center lines and the fog lines, which
are the shoulder lines that we can't do in house. We try to do as much as we can inhouse on uh at night and overtime. It still saves us money, but we um we just um well, we um we changed contractors on
the line painting. That that was roughly a 10% increase. It's tough to tell exactly what the increase because depends how much we line paint. And then the other uh contract that we're just about to put out is the catch basin cleaning which we're required to do with MS4. All of our catch basins which is
the clamshell bucket cleaning them all out. We'll be going out uh for a new contract and we're anticipating a higher rate there. So that's what that increase is for. Thank you. And um for the current fiscal year um where are you at
with spending of the 500,000? We're at 97.2%. Okay. All right. Thank you. That makes sense. Council Det Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Um just for clarification purposes, um there's a lot there's a lot
of work going on on Route 20. All that's covered by the state, including the lining and stuff like that. That's no cost to us, right? Route 20, all the work, sorry, all the work on Route 20 is all state funded. Correct. No cost to us. The lining and
everything else. We we funded the water line job on that, but it was through the state contract. The state contracted through the state and that was done year or two ago, right? The water line. It seems like ages ago, doesn't it? I know. Yeah. I well maybe what was the water a
year and a half you had the gas remember you had the gas oh yeah oh excruciatingly yes process yes so thank you for that thank you counc no further discussion I will entertain a motion to approve motion has been made and I will
second that to approve DPW public works streets any further discussion all in favor that carries 520 Next up is DPW Fleet and Maintenance on page 89. Council Brown. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I
didn't have any questions about um this budget area, so I move to approve as presented. Motion Motion has been made. I will second that to approve the uh DPW fleet maintenance as submitted. Any further
discussion? Councelor Vital, I' I'd like to know why again everything's going up, but in one department there's a certain percentage and another department there's a diff a different percentage and maybe just is because it is and that's that's the um maintenance
supplies for vehicles. It's going up to 11% correct. Where is that based on present costs? Yes. Well, project and projected costs. Yeah.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Motion made and seconded to approve. All in favor? Carries. 520. Next up is DPW Forestry uh page 91. Council Brown. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I
also do not have questions about this and would like to move to approve as presented. Motion's been made. Um I will second that to approve the DPW forestry uh budget item uh as submitted. Any further discussion? Council vital. I'm
sorry that Mr. Chair. No, that's fine. That's council. You know, for the last two years, we have contract services at $120,000 and and it stays there. Um, is that just a is that money that's actually being spent? Could you give me
a online item um 53140 contract services? Contract services 87.7 right now. And we do we do typically transfer into that but uh we do have the revolving
account. We we initial our initial draft had an increase in that because equipment and materials are going up but because of this year's budget we we do have the revolving account so we didn't increase it this year. Thank you. Motion
made and seconded to approve the uh DPW forestry as submitted. All in favor? That carries 520. Next up is solid waste and recycling on page 94. Mr. Chair,
oh council, um I had a question first and foremost. Um it seems like a reasonable increase for our rubbish collection. Um 8.68%. I've seen tremendous damage in previous years. Um, is that for just a
one-year renewal or is Well, that's a that's a hopeful percentage because that was before we uh entered negotiations. We're currently with Republic and we have gotten their proposal which is pretty much 24% more.
So, we're not we're not happy with that. So needless to say, we are out getting proposals from other vendors. That's fine. So Republic, we've had a good uh relationship with them. And just so everybody knows, Republic has a one-day
service. Other vendors do not. So it may mean that we have a new vendor, which will mean a good amount of time of that vendor learning about mist trash and things like that. Plus, we may be we may have to go back to multiple day trash
pickup again. So that's where we sit. Uh it was it was surprising that that Republic um based upon their history would would come at us with such an increase, but that's where we are. So thank you for your answers. Councelor N. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Commissioner, when
does the current contract expire? The uh the end of June. Okay. So at this point, we may be um we may be extending for a few months. Okay. And that's the current that's in the contract. it just a month-by-month extension or does it have to be time? We're still in negotiations,
so we'll see how that works. Thank you, Councilman. No further, Council Pill. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just a couple quick questions. Um, in looking at this fiscal year, I noticed we've moved funds out of equipment operator, um, attendant, um, and then interim foreman.
Um, we haven't expended any of those monies. Are those vacant positions right now? the um the solid waste equipment operator we have have not been able to fill um it requires Saturday and we've
we've interviewed people and then never never been able to fully fill it. Um and that's a key point and we're going to concentrate on that going forward because um the person who's in the foreman's job um probably has
another 5 years. We need to train someone to take that position over. And that it may seem like an easy position, but it's not dealing with the public and trash. If anybody's ever been down there, we've called we called the cops down there last week. So, a person who wouldn't leave. It's it's a it takes a
certain person and we we'll we'll find that person eventually, but no, we haven't been able to fill that. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. No further discussion. I'll entertain a motion. Motion to approve. Motion has been made. I will second that to approve the solid
waste and recycling budget line item as submitted. All in favor? That carries. 520. Now moving on to sewer service fund 133. Mr. Chair. Councelor Brown. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, I did not have any
questions on this one and would like to move to approve as presented. Motion's been made. I will second that to approve the sewer service fund as submitted. Any further discussion? Councelor Ducet. Thank you
very much, Mr. Chair. Um, so I'm looking at the legal services. I'm assuming that the legal services was a lot to do with Northboro in 24 228 going down to 50. Uh what is the legal services that you typically need to do nowadays without
being in court? Uh well, there's a there is current uh litigation on another another matter. Okay. Okay. That's that's a fair response. Thank you for that. That's more in legal, but it it has to do with DPW like just told you.
So there they they use that fund for their for the um the olivo council. Okay. Okay. No, understandable. Thanks to Mr. Chair, council. Thank you, Mr. Chair. um through you to maybe councelor Oing in
his notes that he has not in this section but he uh for 68600 solid waste and sludge no funds in the line item but in this section um 52935 you have sludge so is that the
same sludge? Yep. So if you recall last year's budget when we had we care week had like five line items and then trash and recycling moved to its own and then sledge was hanging out there all by itself. So we moved that into the sewer
fund and that makes that makes it easier when we do our reporting when we have to do our um our reporting to Northbrow to to uh figure out their bill. So it makes it easier to have it in that account line item. Okay. So it's level funded
from FY25, correct? Okay. Thank you. So, Mr. Chair, Mr. President, so that that that's my mistake, Council Ro. Those were my notes to talk to Diane to say, should we be cleaning up some of the budget reports? So, I apologize for carrying that over,
Mr. Chair. Does that answer your question, Councilman? Yes. Oh, yeah. Councelor Orman, I would just one um like to note uh and thank the commissioner for touring both the westerly and easterly with a few of us counselors and uh you really realize
the impact. You just can't shut off the flow. It goes and it will continue to go. So, uh, I was very impressed with your staff and again, what an important function for our city as well as an economic incentive for people that move in here that don't have to deal with
putting a business in with the septic system. So, this is a great incentive and a very, very important part of your budget. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, Council Councelor Fill. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just a quick question regarding overtime water sewer
police. I noticed in this fiscal year um at the end of April, we had not expended any of the funds in that line item and it's $20,000. Um in FY24, we only expended 3,300. Is there you know what what is kind of the need is it's one of those things we can't really speculate on, but
um that's that's really t that's utilized by the police that account item when they have details. Sure. So, okay. um is a wild card, right? Seeing that we haven't expended any funds, I I do think
there's an opportunity here to possibly have that, you know, cut it by $10,000. If we need to come back, come back. But that's just my thoughts at this time. So, I move to cut um motion motion motion motion was made by councelor
Brown if she wishes to resend her motion. Mr. Chair. Um, I will I will amend the motion to include the $10,000 um decrease mentioned by Councelor Fillo. Thank you, Councelor Brown. And and what
is your motion, Council Fill? What line item? Uh, thank you, Mr. Chair. It's line item 51380. Overtime, water, sewer, police, and you want to reduce it by $10,000. That is your motion. Motion has
been made. I will second that uh to under the sewer service fund to reduce line item 51380 by $10,000. Any further discuss council vital? Thank you, Mr. Chair. I also would like to reduce the pumping station
maintenance. It's an increase of almost 20%. I'd like to reduce that uh back down to 10% of an increase. So that would be, you know, another $20,000. And what line items is that is 55660. Reduce it by how much? $20,000.
20,000. Yes, please. I will look to council to Thank you, Mr. Chair. Looking at this fiscal year, and correct me if I'm wrong, Mr. Commissioner. It seems like you guys have transferred into that account over $600,000. Um, so, so I I personally would not be
in favor of of adding that additional the auditor can check me on this if that's all right, Mr. Chair, but seeing that you guys have you I mean, if Yeah. $600,000 you've added to this account, I I wouldn't be comfortable making a cut to that account.
Yes. So, so there's um the big portion of that is um the first part of the hydraulic the sewer study, sewer modeling study. Um and we we'll have that the next phase of that on the
capital. We we felt imperative the way um the building's going on, we have to have a more accurate sewer model. Um, and we wanted to get a jump on and get the monitors in the in the uh manholes
uh because the spring is the time when you have the most flow. So, that's that's a big portion of that that um involves pump stations, but that's what that accounts uh used for. Another another big item is $120,000 for the
conquered road um pump station with the generator let out. So we incurred that cost in our operating budget. So when you see a lot of cost, we never know where the what's going to be needed for money. So certain line items from certain date will get more money than others. So that's that's probably an
anomaly for this year. Although we do fund it quite we do transfer a good amount into that every year, but that's an anomaly for this year. Good enough. Thank you for the clarification. Unless you want to give me a $600,000 increase, I'll take it. No, no, but with with that clarification, I would now be open to
amending it to to add council of vitals for the sake that it seems like this year was a was an extra increase, but it also does sound like you will be back for for monies or some kind of internal transfers. Usually internal transfers or or midyear transfer. Yeah, sure. Council vitals okay with that with that motion.
I'd like to make a motion that line item 51380 gets reduced by 10,000 and line item 55660 gets reduced by 20,000. Mo motion's been made and I will second that uh to reduce under the sewer uh
enterprise fund line item 51380 to reduce that by 10,000 and line item 55660 to reduce that by 20,000. All in favor? That carries five to zero. Good job,
counselors. Next up is the sewer east uh on page 136, east waste water treatment 136. I don't have any I don't have any particular questions on this line item.
Mr. Council Fill. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I also have no questions. Um, so I move to approve uh motion. Okay. Well, the the sewer east waste water treatment plant. Motion has been made and I will second that to approve the the east waste water sewer treatment plant um as
submitted. Um any further discussion? All in favor? Carries. 50. Next up is the sewer waste on uh west on page 139. And again, I don't have any questions on
this particular line item. Motion to approve. And I would just like to note that is motion to approve with the note that sign of the economy chemicals cost going up and it was noted and documented in the budget information. Motion has
been made. I will second that to approve the west wastewater treatment uh budget as submitted. Any further discussion? All in favor? Carries. 5. Next up is page 142 that has nothing
in the line item. And this is the um on page 142. This is the uh solid waste and sludge. So I'm thinking in the future this would be eventually removed from the mun report. You thinking that I we'll remove that next year. Just I was
showing the history of what took place in fiscal year 24. Very good. Understood. Thank you. So I'm thinking there's nothing we have to vote on on that. Thank you. No request. Perfect. All right. So now uh moving on to the
water enterprise fund on page 157. Last pages. 957. Council MW Council David. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, feel like I ask this question every year, but the water MWA fund 52320
um that is also that accounts for not just the wholesale water that comes from MWA, but there are other items. Can you explain that a little bit? Chemicals, correct? Okay. And so the MWR assessment this year actually went down 1.3%. Is that correct? Does that miraculously
match the number that the chemicals went up so that the line item is the exact same number? Coincidentally, yes. What a shock. Um, I I would again this year suggest that perhaps in the future we break these out so that people have an understanding what the true cost of their water is and perhaps do a line
item for the wholesale water supply and then for the chemicals that are added in addition to that. Um, and then further I just wanted to ask about how many water meters are going to be able to be replaced for that for where are we
here? Was that the 43,000? I'd defer to uh our commissioner, assistant commissioner, our assistant commissioner. Hi, thank you councelor. Uh so we our goal is a,000 water meters uh per fiscal year. We generally target
about uh or trend about 800 um meters a year that we replace. Uh the life cycle of a meter um is 10 to 15 years. So we try to stay uh ahead of the meters dying. Y and are these all in the same technology? Is that they're currently
being replaced or is it a newer product or is it So we uh we have a new um residential meter model that we're uh implementing now. It's a um it's a ultrasonic meter. So it's I believe a more reliable meter. It's a little bit
more pricey, but I think we'll get uh better longevity out of it. uh and uh is less prone to leaking. So, I know some communities are looking at meters that are a little bit more interactive that kind of have a platform. I know they're they're a bit more expensive, but is
that something that the department has looked at to be able to give people a little bit more of an accurate reading so they can see when there are water leaks or when there is a spike in usage or things like that? Yeah, I I have looked into it. We have looked into it uh as a department. uh part of that
process to um the technology is LTE cellular connectivity for all the meters and this newer uh meter is part of that technology. So really the first phase of going to a system like that would be upgrading the residential meters to this
model. Uh but that endeavor is uh millions of dollars and uh years in the making. So, it's something that uh we're going to be looking at closely over the next few years, but it's not an overnight project. Yeah. Hopefully cost will come down as technology matures,
maybe. Yeah, I expect it. Great. Thank you, Commissioner. Thank you. Thank you, Council Brown. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, I have a question about an item on page 159. Um, it is number
54620, maintenance trenches. Um, I was just wondering, um, I guess for the current fiscal year where we're at with that spending of the 320 payments currently at 99.3%. Okay. Um just for just for my own
information, um what caused the number to jump I guess from fiscal year 24 to now? I guess that 138 41569 to now in
the like the 300,000. So, um I don't have that in in front of me, but what happens um is that what's left in the what was actual in the last one? Um so, for fiscal year 24, it says the actual
Oh, I lost. So, the so the actual um is when it's spent. So, if something is encumbered and not spent till the next year, it shows up on the next one. So, it's kind of a Okay, that's the new not always an accurate way of looking at things with big
understandable. Thank you for explaining that. Yep. Thank you, councelor Brown. Council council advisor. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just one more curious thing because again, it's another line item that continues from year to year is your tank maintenance. Yep. Where are we on
that on that one as far as expenditures? Uh tank maintenance. Where's uh need to bring a rule? 97.8%. Thank you very much. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, Council. Council Pillo. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just uh one line
item uh the overtime regular um from my understanding 101 12ths of the way through this fiscal year. So 83% we're at 61%. Um and I believe you're asking for a $14,400 increase. Um kind of just keeping with precedent
of what we've done tonight. I would be willing to reduce um the increase. So reduce line item 51310 by $14,400. Motion's been made. Motion has been made uh and seconded to reduce the uh water
service fund line item 51310 by $14,400. Any further discussion? Council Ruby. Thank you. Uh you have more accurate data. Can you tell us what you have on your report for what has been
spent from that so far? Uh 67.2%. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. If I could just mention for fiscal year 24, we ended the year with $93,000 of that unspent.
Thank Thank you, Mr. President. Motion has been made and seconded to uh reduce the line item 51310 by $14,400. All in favor? I had just a discussion. I just need
clarification. Council matters, please. Before we go for a vote, our president just said that we're at 93,000 in overtime for this present year. Is that correct, Mr. President? No. Last fiscal year, fiscal year 2014. Last fiscal year
was 93,000. Yes, that's correct. With that in mind, I I'd like to increase it even more or decrease it even more. Like I I make a motion to decrease the $20,000. Motion has been made. Motion has been made and seconded. Um,
it's his motion. Council Fill's motion. Uh, thank you, Mr. Chair. Reason I I mean, I can understand why we would we would take out more. My my understanding is I'm just going to take away the increase that's being requested. I would I would support I would support just that increase of 14400. So, I'm I'm
going to stick with that motion just just because that's a pres that's a precedent I feel like we've set just kind of throughout this whole meeting. So, I don't for me I'm not going to unfairly treat this line item. I know there's been a few one-off instances where we've we've made reductions in overtime, some other things, maintenance, um that might not be
related to those increases, but but for this one, I' I'd stick to the 14,400. Motion has been made and seconded to reduce line item 51310 by $14,400. All in favor? All opposed? Thank you, Council
Vital. And I believe Commissioner, that concludes everything on there. Thank you very much, Commissioner. Thank you. All right, so next next up is Thank you, Commissioner. Next up is the school department on page
65. You're on a roll. on page 65. Good evening, Superintendent Murphy. Good evening. Good evening. Good evening. You want to do a little short overview if you would like? Um, thank
you for having us. Um, I think Mr. Wells has some updated numbers because since we submitted our budget, we have reduced over 1.2 2 million from um that the
mayor made a reduction which resulted in a decrease of 13 positions as of today um from our overall um budget moving forward. Um that's in addition to the
um 11 educators that were reduced last year. So this is two years in a row. Um, we did also want to point out the fact that transportation has been a challenge for
us for a number of years and continues to be. Our original when we went out to bid this year level service was an increase of 40% in year 1 and then an annual increase on top of that between 8
and 5%. we knew that was un unsustainable and so we came forward with a plan to reduce transportation in district um by approximately 25% and that's what we're
moving forward with. So our level service from FY25 to FY26 has already been decreased by almost $2 million and that's what we're coming forward with you today. Um, I did
hear Mr. President asking about open positions in the school department. So, I looked. There were 42. Um, and I just scrolled through. My numbers aren't coming up with it. Um, but I did look. There are six cafeteria positions
opened. Those are self-funded position. They are not funded as part of our budget. 12 substitutes. Those are not full-time positions. Those are our hourly people, daily rates that come in and we need those because a lot of our
employees have children and are not in work. There are summer positions on that list. There are two custodians, one of them being a weekend and there's been challenging to fill. There are seven positions that are associated with
students that are have special needs and are required by their IEPs. There's one principal position. It will be filled within the next two weeks. Um and there are five teacher positions in that in
that listing. I'm missing three. I can't figure out where I lost them. Um in those five teacher positions, we do have retirements. We will have resignations. We'll have teachers. Those are posted for open positions that will be uh
hiring hopefully all of them for the fall. And most likely we'll have more. We'll have more resignations. We'll have more employees that we'll have to hire. So, I hope that addresses those. Um we should not be ending the year with any
excess money at all. It's been a very tight year for us currently. Um, we are here to answer any questions at all that anyone may have. Thank you, Superintendent. I'll open that up to to the council if we have any
questions. Council Vital. Mr. Chair, as of right now, what is the what percentage of the ex of your budget is being has been expended at this point in time? 96% of the school budget is 96 96% as of right now. As of right now,
thank you. Thank you, Council L. Council Or Yes. Uh the chart you provide here for pupil expenditure, I I brought that up before you got here. um or you might have been in the audience, I don't know, but I'm looking at what we spend per
student and through FY23 and I noticed um you know when you look at Hudson and you look at Framingham uh I see that we're not close. Uh Frammingham 24,312, Hudson
22,355 we're you know at 18,469 and FY23. What is the expenditure expected per student uh come FY26 this following year? Do you have an idea? Uh we don't
know as how it would relate to these numbers. So these numbers are a blending of a lot of different costs that that are associated with education. So it has to flow through our end of year report and then into desi and then they do their calculations that drive this number which does um has some things
that they they exempt from um the per pupil expenditure. So it's hard to for us to put together what that perable expenditure would be in a forward-looking statement. Um I would anticipate with the budget that we had moved forward. We would move more in line with what was anticipated closer to
the state average um would have been my expectation. But every time you know any reduction that brings us back is going to bring us back in line with kind of where we're kind of sitting right now would would be my estimate moving forward. And another question is the aid that you get in the NOS is it or at
school spending? Yeah. Yes. If you could maybe highlight that to some degending would be the um this chart here. Yeah, the NSS I I see there. Um if you could which is the bar chart with the lines. Thank you for the larger chart by the way. Yeah. Yeah. It's it's
very dense data um the way that Desi publishes this. So, uh, what we're seeing here is, uh, over time, um, we've seen we had significant gap between what we were actually spending on our net school spending versus what the state says you must spend on your net school
spending. So, we had a nice gap there. We were working through it over the past uh, FY22. Um, we started to lose that sort of nice leveling and we started to see an uptick in 23, 24, and 25 and what was required of us in our net school spending. However, our actual net school
school spending indicated by the the black line on the top is driving very close to where our required net school spending is. So, we are certainly getting to the point where there is concern that we are hitting the bare minimum that the state requires of us to spend on educating students. So, as we
approach that that it's it's very concerning. Uh this is part of the reason why when we had this budget, we moved it forward. It is a larger budget, but it's filling up a lot of those needs that we have in the in the district. not level services is really what it is. Uh modified level services. I mean we did
reduce transportation uh to meet some of the requirements that we have but this is certainly concerning seeing the grant without seeing these these uh lines get so close to each other. And if I may Mr. Chair I just have a couple absolutely have quite a few highlights but I the
other note you just brought up is transportation as Valley brought it up too as well. Seems like you're very in the same position. Transportation, it notes 33 buses to 25 buses. What's that impact going to do to our residents in Marro?
I'll say the parents of students. It won't handle the tall residents, but we we have been um trying to hold some forums. We did one on a district level a couple of weeks ago and now the elementary schools will be doing it um
on a school by school level. and I will be at each one of those meetings with the building principles. If you listen to the parents that are impacted, they they would prefer that the budget be increased and that
students are transported from their door and no one has to walk. That is the overwhelming feelings of those um residents that are impacted. We explained that our priority is what happens in the classroom and that
difference in cost would have been 10 to 12 additional educators to maintain level service of so you're balancing educators with our priority needs to be the classroom experience understandable but I for unfortunately maybe I was heading to my dentist and I was going by
good now I couldn't believe the line I had to wait in it's amazing how many parents would transport uh I was one of them back in today. Uh I'm on page 16. The other question I just wanted to note is uh you mentioned the special education escalations and again you're
you're very similar to what's happening at Asabet. Um and do you see any change to that or are we still going to be challenged with special needs if that's how it's called as well as um so it's a combination of costs that is in district
but the out of district costs have really escalated over the last few years. um those costs have gone up almost over 18%. Um in the last few years and um the way to address those
skyrocketing uh um rocket cost has been to use circuit breaker but it gets to a point that you're using too much circuit breaker. So when you have moveins or unexpected cost you need to maintain the circuit breaker. That's what that money is there for. Thank you madam superintendent. And then you're leading
me to my next question. circuit breakers, grants, state, federal. The horizon is kind of gloomy right now with federal expenses coming down to the state to the
locals. What's your foresight on that? Uh in respect to have you heard that you might see a reduction in state? We have been assured the priority is to keep um our title one funding and because um f
five of our school our school schools are schoolwide title one schools that's about a million dollars and that supports a lot of interventionist math and reading support. So we are hoping title three which supports some of our
EL learners. We are concerned that that funding is going to be um leaving us. Title two is also an area concern and that's um teacher education, professional development, mentoring
programs. And then title four is also about creating safe and supportive environments and a little bit of technology. So we're a little concerned about those three. We're hoping to maintain title one. And I I compliment you for future forecasting and as well
as you know through pages I think 23 or what 20 onward you explain all that here. And I did have a question on page 35. Um it it's um action step
FY25 and it was more or less reimagining secondary schedules to facilitate uh that's on page 35 under action step FY25. I I just was curious what that means. Um you know reimagine secondary
schedules to facilitate. Um so I think was that under for seal? Yes, I think I see that. So, at both of our secondary schools, they have added time into the student schedule to um do
some bullying curriculum, some social emotional learning, um some work about what our common expectations are for academics, um behavior, for how we treat one another. Um a lot of focus on creating the
community. We're a very diverse school district. We are, you might not think of Marorrow as an urban city, but we are an urban school district. And so we celebrate all of our students and some of that is done as we learn about each other and we accept each other. And um
we embrace one another in those times. And I was impressed to see that your recommendation start early. Start early childhood. Don't start when it's too late. I mentioned that early. I I you missed my speech probably, but I was trying to compare Aspet to the to the
school system as well as uh some of the work you put into this budget presentation. Uh the one thing that is very concerning and I understand you're you're trapped in a way where you're trying to balance out things, but I'm out there on the road quite
often and drivers just aren't where they used to be and I'm very nervous for our students that may need to walk. When I was a kid, I walked all the way from Mount Pleasant Street down to the Walker building. There weren't many cars then, but now there's cars and there's not as
much I guess involvement with what you're doing when you're driving, you know, and I'm worried about the bus transportation being reduced. But, um, I've asked a few questions. I'll I'll let this other finance committee, all the other members ask questions and thank you for your presentation. I will
say publicly though that we're also being our um physical education teachers are being trained in a desi approved curriculum on pedestrian safety that we'll be doing with all of our elementary students and bike safety. Um
and we will be enforcing the helmet rule for all of our students. So, well, thank you for your answers to my questions. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Council Brown. Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you for coming tonight. Um, this one is one that
I've pondered over for a while. Um, I am by career an educator. I am a parent of a Malbor public school student, but in my role as a city counselor, I have a fiduciary responsibility to all of the
residents in the city. Um, and Malro is a socioeconomically diverse city and I work among the working poor in early childhood education. We we are not blessed with union
representation. Most of the people I work with um barely make it paycheck to paycheck. And these are exactly the people who if they were to see that
$760 increase to an annual bill, um you know, over time they would get pushed out of the community. And I know people in communities like Hopkin who um their families have lived there for
generations. And now because of the tax rates and the cost of taxes, people aren't able to afford to live in the community that they grew up in that they have such emotional ties to. And so in
my role as a city counselor, I have to recognize um all of the people in the community, the the children, the senior citizens, the people who do live on fixed incomes. And so I'm not going to pick this budget
apart line by line, but um I would like to look at the salary underruns and just propose to reduce the budget by 250,000. So I would like to make a motion to
reduce the school budget by 250,000 and not at all to spite children, their growth, their development or anything. Um, I believe many of us have had um people in the community come up to us and um as a
council body almost insinuate that we don't care about the children. And so for me that took a really big hit because I've dedicated my whole life to, you know, making sure that the children
that I've educated and my own child um that I'm doing well by them. And I I do feel comfortable as a counselor making this motion to reduce by 250,000. Thank you. Can I just Can I just say something? Absolutely.
Superintendent. Um publicly I just would like to say that the p the schools have always appreciated the support the council has given us. Um we do things because we
want to be good partners in the city. Um be it the city IT department that we support almost 100% or the um wraparound service providers that we've made a priority so that our families can get support. So in multiple different
levels, we have done everything to try to be a good partner and a good community member and we appreciate that relationship and we want to make sure that that relationship is not harmed regardless of if we disagree where our
priorities are. Um because city council is going to fight for what they believe is important and so are we and you know we're educators. We can be loud and demanding at times. So thank you. Thank you, Superintendent. Thank you. Motion motion has been made. I will second that
uh to re reduce the school department budget line item 5700 uh by uh $250,000. Any further discussion? Council, if if I could just ask the question and uh the underruns were noted. Uh if I could have the school the
school personnel respond, if if that is accurate, then obviously there are underruns for salaries. Could could you explain that's what was just noted the salary underruns and other within our within the budget or within
the actual within the budget as noted you know uh so at anywhere we noted where we um budget underruns we we built this budget it's a it's with staffing we we build basically a zerobased budget so we take all of our staffing we roll them
forward um there are bodies associated with all of those that are carried forward there's not a there's no slack that's built into there. Um so we don't have a lot of under underrs as it goes with staffing. The underruns may happen um during turnover if we have attrition.
Um and sometimes we may find ourselves in a situation where we will have staff that are retiring or have left and we can hire in a lower rate. Doesn't always work out that way. Sometimes you you hire the teacher that's that that come to the table. We can't make people apply that want to take less money. So, um
there it's, you know, this is kind of the concept of salary exchange or, you know, higher up or higher down savings. Um and it doesn't always play out well, but um you know, certainly if we're talking about $250,000, it's probably something um that, you know, generally
may be seen within the budget or possibility that um there are positions that we have not posted for um and so the discussion could be that they do not get posted. There are consequences for those decisions. There are
um just, you know, expectations for some of those positions and they won't get done. Um are there will be more work most likely for an administrator cuz that's what administrators do. Um but we won't know. Well, thank you for your
honest answers. Thank you. Thank you, Council or Council Vital. Yeah, just I'm again I'm a lifelong educator both adult and I've taught every grade uh from 6 to 12 and on this chart you gave us here
which is a it's a telling chart when you look at the average but if you look at any one year on all 10 of these things you know so you have Hudson only one time was over where what the
present motion is is about a one 9.1 9.2 somewhere in there uh percent increase. Mhm. Hudson had one year of that. Northro had one year. South Bro never had that high a year. State didn't have that high a year. Pittsburgh had one.
Milford never did. Main never did. Clinton never did. And Framingham is about the same. The 9.11 is approximately what is the motion right now. We have to go back to our constituents and say, you know, we're raising, you know, h but other
communities never had to raise their school budgets up to that level that we are agreeing to today. How do I how do I tell one of my constituents that where we did something that Clinton never did, May never did, Milford never did, state never did,
Southro never did, but we're going to do it. So when you look at these numbers um looking at any single year and trying to compare it against another single year, you're correct. You may not be seeing that high of an increase. However, when you take the last 5 years in their aggregate, you are seeing that total
5-year increase. Uh we're running about 8 almost 9% over 5 years, but everyone else is well above double digits. Well, I understand that, but uh but property taxes aren't aggregate. property taxes go up from year to year and this 9.1% increase is going to have
a major impact on our residents's property tax. If you look at that chart the per pupil and you start at 2019 and you look at the urban districts Marboro, Framingham, Milford and Pit in and
Pittsburgh and they're all in the Marboro, Milford and Fittsburgh is 15,000 16,000. We were above Milford in Fitsburg at that time per pupil. Uh Framingham's always been above us. We're we're not going to pretend that that's
not true. But now if you look at it, you have Marboro lower than Oh yeah, Milford in Fitsburg per pupil. So and that's just that's true. That's what's happened over the last few
years. And all of our districts get extra money from the state because of student opportunity act. That money is supposed to increase our per pupil expenditures and it's not happening here and it's not happening for many
different reasons and we're not blaming anyone. But that's what we're talking about is the fact that we need to catch up and we need to continue on the right path because somewhere along the line we went off the rails here. And we just we just need to catch up
with for these at risk students for all of our students. We don't want to our plans moving forward. We will maintain the most AP classes in this area, the most dual enrollment, but we also need to meet the needs of our atrisisk
students and they need to be a a priority as well. And that's what this money is supposed to be for. Now it's your question. Council, thank you. Council President, hi. Thank you all for being here. Um, you know, looking at the school budget
and definitely looking at the per pupil over the last few years, looking at this chart is frankly embarrassing. Um, to be a Marbor resident and have a child in the Marbor school districts. Um, and I say that because I've looked at the other school
districts. You know, I've I've I know the quality of education that they get. Um, I'm familiar with with the education system very well. You know, my I essentially live in it. I'm not an educator, but my my wife is, all our friends are. They're all deep inside
education, and time and time again, they're underfunded, and I know that. Um, it's it's very clear. Um, taking a tour of your schools was very eye opening. I'm not sure if anyone else I know other counselors did tour the schools. Very tight, very
constricted. Library in um, JRE is gone, right? I'm sure there are a lot of spaces that have been removed to increase class sizes. Um, which means that we need more money for the schools to create more space in them, right? And
we if we're going to do that, we have to keep we're going to have to keep increasing the school budget. It is what it is. Um and to um Council Vital's point, looking through year through year, it the percentage increase is
abysmal. It's negative 1% for 2022 um increase, which is a little interesting to look at. But um um in in looking at comparable districts like Framingham um I know they're
they their population is a little bit bigger. Yeah. But their demographics are almost exactly the same as Malro. You know, they they have this almost the same exact breakdown um including special ed and and um low-income h um students. Um and the fact that they can
spend a lot more money on their students is is um is great for them, not great for us, right? Um as uh councelor Orm said, um you know, PE when people go out to buy a home, they look at the school districts.
That's the very first thing they look at. That's the first thing we looked at when we were looking for a home. Said, "Is this a good school district?" It's okay. you know, no no fault of your own, but we do know that schools that are funded with more money are much more successful. They produce much more
educated um students, right? And they are able to go out into the world and um you know, become counselors, become superintendents, become mayors, right? Um but if we are not funding their education and we're not funding it
equitably, then um we are failing our future. we are failing the future economy of the city. Um, we are failing our kids as a whole. So, I I implore the city council to hopefully keep this budget as intact as possible. I know the
school has done um quite a lot of work in negotiating with buses, removing so many bus routes. Like I I'm looking at the safe route um I forget what what you called it now. Safe schools. Uh safe routes to schools. Safe routes to schools. It my heart breaks because you know kids
walking to their elementary schools in like the middle of winter like quarter mile half mile like they're little tiny kids. They have little tiny legs. Like it it is heartbreaking, but I do understand where you're coming from and and you you guys have made an attempt to
to lower your budget. Um and you know I I I commend you for that and and I hope that the other counselors see that. Um, I know you had other costs and you provided us with a supplemental budget. Um, so, you know, thank you for doing that and and you know, hopefully my
fellow councils will will see the full picture of of what schools do for us as a city and for us as individuals. Thank you, Council Fell. Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you guys for being here. I appreciate all the counselor's comments tonight. Obviously,
this is one of the bigger things we're going to talk about tonight, and we've all been thinking about it for some time. Um, myself included. I think it's difficult for me to sit here and hear us say that we are going to cut the school budget or that we're decreasing their funding in a in a in a way that's
unprecedented. If we were to cut $250,000 tonight, the schools would still be getting an increase from last year of $6.9 million. $6.9 million more than they had in the last fiscal year. So for myself, I ask, what are we going
to use that funding for? What is going to stopping, you know, kids from walking to school in the middle of winter? I I'm not seeing that in this budget, particularly. I'm having a hard time seeing those things. So, I'm having a hard time approving such a large increase when the issues we're talking
about, I don't feel are always addressed in the budget. I mean last year I I had mentioned I didn't think it was the time to add administrators and yet we had a budget that was adding administrators to our schools. The first thing we do is we go and we cut educators. Why are we doing that? I understand there's
constraints but to to immediately say all right the educators are going to take the fall for this. I think there's more creative ways for us to figure out our financial issues at our schools right now. Administrators are educators. I'm just bunching them all together. And last year we traded off one
administrator, but we c we cut three administrators. And if you look at the percentage on the chart that's included, our percentage of administrators are much lower than than most other areas um that we have. And so potentially
additional cuts will cut more administrators. It could cut additional classroom teachers. Our level service budget is $2 million is $2 million more than what we have currently that we have
844 employees in the Marro public schools before or after the cut. That's after the cut. After the cut. So currently right now we have 844 employees. That costs Yep. No,
everything about that books, curriculum, uh in you know all the software that all costs money. Absolutely. And and I understand that and I I I fundamentally believe schools should be expensive. I don't think there's anybody in this room who doesn't think that schools should be
palaces, right? Our educators should be well- paid and our schools should be the best, right? I I think we all understand that school's expensive. It's why it's over half of our city budget. And and so for myself, I I I understand where you're coming from, but I also h again I
just have a hard time when I hear time and time again that, you know, it's the city council who's going to be at fault for some of these things. It so I'm I guess what I'm trying to do is get at the root issue. Why are we in this position? I've heard a lot of ideas. S SOA funding, you know, we we've debunked
that reason, it seems like, right? People are saying that SOA funding is outside of chapter 70. That that's not true. It's not. It goes into chapter 70. Correct. So, so, so there's misconceptions, right? I talked to some of the folks outside, the teachers union representatives, and and there are clearly some things that that are that
are not being discussed to the full truth. And so, I want to get to the bottom of why are we in this position? The city council has not cut the school budget for the last eight fiscal years, and I only went back eight fiscal years. So, we could go back more and see, but the city council has not touched it. So, I'm I'm having a hard time understanding
why a lot of things are being pointed in this direction, especially when we're about to approve an increase of $6.9 million, almost $7 million for our schools. An unprecedented amount of money. And I understand that that's not what was requested. But it seems to me that for years, and this is just based
on what I'm seeing, that the proper amount of money has not been requested. And so, I'm just trying to I'm trying to figure out where does that fall? where who I not trying to play the blame game, but I feel like there's just a lot of things that I'm I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around why we're sitting here looking at such a large
increase. I think like a lot of city uh departments that in the past, for example, I think the educators will tell you they took a 0% increase um they did a 022 for an for the last contract,
right? So, they had a 0% increase. Our budget was a 0% percent increase. At the s same time, the state increased our funding significantly that year. So, was it the city council's fault bec that the
school department did not ask for some of that increase in funding? No, that was not. But that was the reality. That was the school department trying to work with the city so that everyone in the whole city's needs could be met.
right now because of the increases for multiple years to the school department for the rate of inflation for all those years especially when the staff was getting a 02 and two and inflation was going through the roof and has continued
then um everything is costing more for us so that gap has increased we just haven't come asking for it now we're saying we have no place else to go sure I I appreciate the insights I think we're in a very difficult place right
now because it seems like we have as a city, you know, for for many years now been under, you know, it seems like we've been working with less than we should be. But I I think that has to be a gradual way to change that. We have to gradually ease back into supporting that. Look, I I've been to our schools.
I go to our extracurricular events. You see me out there, Madam Superintendent. I I enjoy being with our students. And it was said at a meeting that our, you know, our students don't have a voice. And so we have to be their voice. I've met with our students. I know they have a voice. I know they do. And and I'm
thinking of them now, but I think this has to be a gradual change, which is why I support Councelor Brown's motion. Look, it's still a 6.9 million dollar increase. So I will be supporting that motion tonight. And I I appreciate your time and I appreciate the conversation we were able to have.
Council David. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, it's coming up on an election year, so I'm going to start to get ready to trot out one of the most old and tired lines I use, which is that I am a proud graduate of the Malber public school systems. And I am um I graduated from
Malber High in 2000. I wasn't really a proud graduate of Malber High School in 2000. Um, Malber High didn't have its accreditation when I was applying to go to college. I'm not going to blame them um for my lack of options. I could probably blame and I certainly won't
blame my teachers, but perhaps um my lack of dedication to my books. Um but it was embarrassing. It was an embarrassing time. Um kids were paying to play sports. The schools were not a great place to be. Mhm.
Um when I graduated college and kind of came back to paying a little bit more attention locally, I was so proud of kind of where we had come. Um the things that we weren't doing. We like to tout a lot of times that for the low low tax rates that we have had um you know we don't have fees you know we don't charge
for trash. We don't charge kids to take the bus. Um sounds like not a lot of kids are going to be taking the bus anyways. Um which is a whole other issue though. Majority well I was I was being I was being smart.
Um it was a tough time and it as as I listen to the narrative um I am afraid that we continue to slide a little bit further back. Um we talk a lot here. We talk a lot at um I try not to cross paths although um
I think Commissioner Scott will say that I probably talked him too much about the MW but we talk about MW. We talk about it here all the time. Steady and predictable tax increases, steady and predictable rate increases. That is how you avoid sticker shock. Which
11% wherever the paper is here, right, is a sticker shock. 9% is a sticker shock. Mayor 9.5 from 9.91% is a sticker shock. Um, every week when I go to the grocery store, it's a sticker shock. It's awful. Things are
expensive. People are freaking out. I do not question that. This is a huge hit to the taxpayers this year's budget. Um two years ago when we cut taxes um and we enjoyed that um you know perhaps that was a missed opportunity to gradually
increase the costs of things. Um I am the son of an educator. I am the brother of an educator. I am the parent of a 3 and 1/2year-old who wants to be able to send his child through the school system. Um, madam superintendent, I you were very gracious to walk me through
Kane school for a couple hours a few weeks ago. Well, I literally pointed at every classroom and told you who the teachers were. Often times relatives of mine um often times um you know to the members of the school committee that were there were very gracious to not roll their eyes in front of my face when
I made them do it. Um Kane School is a different place than it was when I went there. It was the newest school when I went there, which is another problem for my mental health. Um, but you know, and council Presiato has talked about this a little bit. There are no libraries in
any of our public schools. And I know the people in this room know that. Um, and I know it's something that concerns all of us, but I'm not sure how many people out there know this. And that's not an operating budget issue, and I'm not trying to conflate the two. We are going to have the conversation about the needs um for additional capital spending, which are going to weigh on
future budgets. So, I I also don't want to say, "Hey, let's like all let's give everybody this money and then all of a sudden we're going to be fixed cuz like debt service on new schools is going to be is going to be severe." Um, but we do have a commitment um to our students and we do have a commitment
to future generations and I am selfishly very much aware of that at this point in my own life. Um, and I am also sensitive to our older residents who are looking at huge tax increases that go, "My kids already went through the school system. I don't want to foot this bill.
Um, I want to credit the mayor with already cutting $1.2 million from this budget. That is, if we're going with the math, that is about $63 savings to the taxpayer. I'm sure the superintendent, I'm sure the school committee wasn't thrilled when they saw your budget cut. Um, you know what, but you know, we're
we're trying to fight here to like, you know, save a million, save a little bit more than a million, already cut a million two out of that proposal. It's still 9%. Um, it is lower on average than the whole city budget, but it's still 9%. Um, so I am I am nervous of what we take off
the table now is just going to compound and it's just going to grow later. Um, $250,000 is a good amount of money to cut. It doesn't seem like that much when you're talking about your whole budget. It's going to save the average taxpayer
$13 more out of the $700. I don't take that lightly, but I also think that we have a commitment to our students that we should uphold. Um, and I would ask people to consider leaving that money in the budget. Um, your jobs aren't easy. None of no
one's jobs are easy. I want to thank you all for what you guys are trying to do. Um, it's a commitment worth making. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, Council Naven. President Austin. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Madam superintendent, I was happy
the way you put it that you look forward and encouraged by working with the council. Unfortunately, that's not what I saw from the school committee at the school committee's budget hearing. I watched and it looked like we were the bad guys. So, for my opinion, little
unprofessional and didn't that working relationship you were proud of, I didn't see it that evening at the school committee meeting. So, let's let's look what's before the city council. We have a
$76,000 capital request for computers for the schools currently before the council. We have $1.4 million bond to fix generators and HVAC systems for the schools. That's currently before the council. We just approved a $2 million
design for a richer school. Anybody want to guess that's going to be under $und00 million? Yeah. No. No. Okay. As council fill said, we have not adjusted,
reduced, cut the school budget in the last 8 years. I can't remember the last time we adjusted the school budget. The the the grief the council took or the emails and outcry we took save the 11%. The mayor cuts at 1.2 two
and it's crickets. Good for you. I don't know what you did, but good for you. I got some heat for it, but not to the level that but but I I didn't I haven't seen any of that outcry. The point is you get a budget. You can leave here
and say good, we're going to work with it and make it work. Or you can paint the doom and gloom picture that the world is coming to an end. I'm hoping you choose the earlier because no matter what budget you get, you make it work. And I've seen it year after year after
year. And I expect that to continue this year and into the future. So I I still the the adjustment we're making to me is small. I I'll go back
again, Mike's simple math. I take the end of school year fiscal year 24 budget and I look at all the line items that were not in the fiscal year 24 budget and I can find it because when I get the end of the year fisc year 24 budget, it
has original appropriation zero. And guess what? They move all sorts of money into these various accounts in the I I stopped counting after $2 million in the parallel I want to draw.
It's no different than here in the city. I don't know if they're based on you change direction. You didn't hire folks. I sit through the retirement board month after month after month and see who comes in and who goes out of the school system. All right.
So, I know there are unfilled positions, right? How much and how many? It's taken me years to figure out how to be able to tell you guys it's 1.2 million for the city side. I'm not even going to touch yours. You guys, God bless you. You You figure it out. But the point is, an $84
million or $83 million budget for the school department is going to change. That budget is good the day we say all in favor. After that, Madam Superintendent, Mr. Wells, you guys work on it and you move money around because
you just do things you didn't need, you didn't know about, things you may, you know, that's just how a budget works and and you as leaders will tell the community life will be okay or you paint the picture of doom and gloom. So,
the choice is up to you. I'm hoping you pick the one that says we're going to make it cuz we will because we got to go back and say, "Dear taxpayer, open your wallet wide." And that's a big
deal. Last 10 plus years, never over $200. There's some people that are going to be a sticker shock that's just unheard of. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Good point, Mr. President. Thank you. Any further
discussion? Mot motion has been made and seconded to uh reduce the school department budget line item 5700 uh by $250,000. All in favor? All opposed? It carries 4 to one.
Thank you, Madam Superintendent. Thank you very much. Thank you all. Okay, moving on. Next, we'll be going to tax, title, and foreclosure on page 25. Mr. Chair, make a motion to approve. Um, I'm going to let Brian just just
give us a little brief on this. Um, so on the uh this is the tax title and foreclosures. Yes. Let me get this. I did notice uh some other things were not being Mr. Chair. I just President. So, so
Brian, just looking, we haven't spent that money that's been fully budgeted at least the last two years, and we're well well underfunded this year. Why Why am I Why can't I reduce that by something? Sure.
So, the rules have changed uh regarding foreclosed properties. Yep. So, I can't speak for what happened the last two years, why they didn't spend their thing, but I can explain why I'm looking for what I'm looking for. The rules have changed. You're going to have to market
properties. You're going to have to find use of properties that are in tax title. You the attorney fees. You might have to pay fees for to market the pro the properties before you can dispose of them. So, there's going to be a and it's
this is new. All this is changing right now. The state is just changing changing some of their guidance on this. Um again, um I haven't had to deal with it in 5 years for the most part. Uh so I'm kind of back in it. So I'm uh concerned,
but I know the the issues out there. There are some properties here that are concerning um that we're moving towards land court with that will end up being um tax title for closed properties that may require
additional spending more so than they ever have in the past due to the new regulations. And I'm okay with more spending. We haven't been spending the budgeted amount that we have and and that's kind of the genesis of is a reduction. I mean I look at it I'm not
spending it. Why do I give you more? And you're going to tell me, well, the rules are changing. I get it. But until I see the rules change, I've got underruns and other line items in the budget that I know I can move money to if I have to. I'm just looking at in FY24, the actual
132,000 that was spent. Correct. Yep, that is correct. So 150 isn't a far cry from that. And I know there's going to be additional legal requirements and possible re realtor requirements and whatnot. There there's a best use thing
when you go to sell properties now. So you're going to have to market it for best use. If the city decides to keep the possession of the property, the expense is going to be you're going to have to pay that person best use for the property. So there's a lot of concern of
of how we're managing foreclosed properties right now. So, a year from now, if I'm lucky enough to still be here and I say, "Mr. Donnie, the we only spent $120,000. My $20,000 cut would have worked just fine." But what's the answer
there? Sure. So, again, it's been a little while since I've been out of it. It's it's a new realm back. You know, if you want to, you know, I'm not willing to really give up anything. I'm I'm pretty good at staying with what I stay with. But again, as you mentioned, we can transfer money here and
there if that's the inclination is to to deal with 20,000 on that cuz again, I can't I haven't been in it, so I really can't say that's my speculation by on 24 if it was 132,000. I'm easily going to hit that in
in 26. I know 25 probably wasn't a lot because the rules and regulations hadn't been done. So, um, which actually I can look and see where we are with 25 if I wanted to, but um, that that's my concern. That's why I was looking to up it and to keep it there because of the
unknown. I'd still advocate for reducing it by something. Again, that was one of the ones that I saw too, Mr. President. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. President. Uh, council vital. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um you said 132 was last year but this
year presently it's even below that number isn't it right so tax pedal you don't do normally till the end of the year that's one of the things they didn't do tax taking uh foreclosed properties one year correct MJ we're a year behind that's correct we have to make up two years of uh tax they didn't
move the prior year normally it's done every year but I will say to kind of back the the collector's office with the rule changes if your property goes into tax title, you save the interest. The interest rate gets reduced
when you go to tax title. So, talk about something being backwards. When you're late, the interest rate is higher. When we go to move on your property, the interest rate is now lower. So, we now have two years of foreclosed properties we need to move on
to get into tax title. Thank. Did that answer your question, council? Yeah, it did. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Councelor Roby. Thank you. Um I know that this is a recent change and I know it was a big push at MMA to not have the legislature make the change
that they did and I know it's impacting multiple communities through uh one of the groups that I belong to at MMA. But I will point out that we have increased the recommendations from councelor Oing
already and so there is additional $70,000 that we've already made and I think that we could say we didn't need to cut this one with other cuts that were made if the goal is to get to the million4 reduction. If we don't care
bottom line and we're just reducing because we know we can make it up somewhere else, then I guess that's your choice. But I don't see the reason to cut this. I think that he's absolutely right. This money is going to be needed and probably more. Mr. Chair, I'll I don't have a motion, but I'll concur
with Councelor Roby on this one. Councelor Brown. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, wow. I lost my words. Sorry. I'm just moving to approve as presented. Okay, Mr. Chair. Motion has been made and I
will motion has been made. I will second that uh to approve the uh the tax and title for closure as submitted. Any further discussion? Council. Yeah. No, I just want to note that we hired our controller in good faith.
He worked here before. He knows his numbers and I have no problem supporting this request. Thank you. Thank you. Motion's been made and seconded to to approve the tax foreclosures as submitted. All in favor? That carries
520 to 0. Thank you. Okay. Moving on to other insurance on page 43. I don't have any questions in regards to that. Mr. Chair, Council, it's just uh explaining the increase. It It's
substantial. It's 28.51%. Uh maybe just a quick explanation the jump and where we're at. So that's a transfer. This line item used to be in police. So we took it out of the police budget and moved it into this line item to keep it all together.
Okay. So that's what caused that 28%. Thank you. Thank you, council. No further discussion. Council Fitillo. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Move to approve. Motion's been made. Motion has been made and I will second that to approve uh the
other uh insurance as submitted. All in favor? That carries. 520. Next up is retirements on page 45. Mr. Chair, cons motion to approve. Motion has been made and I will second
that to approve uh the uh retirement uh and pensioned um as submitted. Any further discussion? Yeah, council. Mr. Chair, thank you. Um Brad, where are we right now with this for this present fiscal year? We're over budget right
now, aren't we? on the sideline item. Uh the thing I speak on, but the retirement is something we pay to the retirement board to fund the retirement. Um moving forward, our payoff date is supposed to be in 2028 fully funded. Um this is just
for the retirees that are collecting on the retirement. So I don't normally we pay it all up front because you get a better discount for the year. So if you pay it July 2nd, you get a whole year's worth of earnings. So the actuarial is done
based on when you pay your bill. If you pay it later on, you don't get this the benefit of Now I understand. At the end of April, we were already at 100%. Yeah. So we we pay it right at the beginning of the year to get a full year's worth of earnings. Thank you very much. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yep. Thank you. Motion
has been made and seconded to uh to approve the retirement as submitted. All in favor carries. 5. Next up is our workers comp on page 47. Workman's comp, page
47. I will no questions. I will entertain a motion. Mr. Chair, council fill. Uh, move to approve workers comp. Motion. Motion has been made and seconded to approve the workers comp as submitted. Any further discussion? All
in favor? Carries. 50. Next up is unemployment on page 49. Mr. Chair, may I go back just a half a step here just so I can understand a little bit clearer. When I looked at your expenditures for workers comp,
there was nothing in there. Do you pay it all at the end of the year? So, we pay workers comp into the the trust fund and then there's a workers comp trust fund we pay that out of. I see. Thank you. You're welcome. Thank you, Council Fel. Now, Council
Brown. Yep. You're tired, too. It's okay, Mr. Chair. Um, thank you. And I would just like to move to approve the unemployment budget. Motion is motion has been made and seconded to approve the unemployment um as submitted. Any
further discussion? Council Vital. Thank you again, Mr. Chair. Um on this line, at the end of April, we were only at 66% expenditure, which is a little bit low than what than what we probably should have had at the end of
April. It's a monthly payment. How many people normally it's how many people are being laid off or let go that didn't fit the position? You know, it's a a guess on what you're paying for for unemployment payments. We're selfinsured for the most part on unemployment. Right. Very good. Thank
you, Mr. Chair. Thank you. Motion motion has been uh made and seconded to approve the unemployment and compensation as submitted. All in favor? That carries 50. Thank you. Next up is health and life insurance on
page 51. Mr. Chair, obviously this one we've heard about it already. Yeah, I think we we have. Yes. Maybe um for the general public just quick explanation on the 23%. If I may. Thank you, Council. Sure.
So, I noticed when I came here uh the health trust fund, we're self-insured. What that means is um we pay into our own trust fund and then we pay the claims out of that and all the revenue goes into that. When I noticed it um the
run rate was going to run short of money uh very in a short span of time. So fortunately um with the ask of the mayor and the granting of the council, we were transferred 4.1 million of free cash into this fund to stabilize it. So
really, last year's budget should have had $4.1 million of health insurance in there. That wasn't in there. So now you're going to see it this year. The 4.1's in there. So we're catching up. Correct. Because if you take this account and the school's health
insurance, it equals roughly that 4.1. Thank you for your observation. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Council Vital. If I understand you right, there where we owed a lot, we we we had to put more and more money in. Correct.
Correct. Yet money that was expended to the end of April was only 52% of the budget. Why is that? If we if we were so far behind because what they didn't do is you're only bringing the claims were off. $2 million for claims, $2 million
for they doubled the discount. So really the rate that should be charged is too low. So this budget line item is being charged too low because the rate isn't high enough. If that rate was up 15%
more last year, this line item would have been charged that. But if we were low, if we lowballed the rate, would shouldn't we still be paying that rate? So when I was here before, at the end of the year, we would did the adjustment. We adjusted the health insurance trust
fund based on claims and what was left over from the school and the city's health insurance trust fund accounts and we would transfer to make sure that trust fund stayed stable. I don't believe that's been done um for the past couple of years which is part of the
problem on top of the rate issues that were a problem uh kind of everything compounded in as I mentioned if it continued you would have zero money probably at the end of next year I see thank you you all it's very complicated so so I understand I think I just
figured it out thank you yeah but that's what it is thank you Mr. Thank you, Council B. No further discussion. I will entertain a motion. Motion. Motion to approve. Motion has been made and I will second that to approve the uh health and health and life insurance as submitted.
Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? Carries. 5. Next up is other government on page 53. And I uh I know this this had quite a few questions in regards to uh do we need this much uh in reserve for
salaries but I will open that up for discussion. Coun Mr. President. Thank you Mr. Chair. So this this is covering the unsettled union contracts, fire MIMA laborers, retirement of potential off of potential people in the city and then
the what I call the Collins salary study. It's my opinion we should not be funding that until we actually see what that looks like. So I would be asking the counselors to reduce the reserve for salary line item 57820 by $700,000.
Thank you, Mr. President. I know that that has been a question in the last few years and I would support that uh considering that these we already got those three other negotiated uh contracts. U but I'll leave that up to the uh finance team council Brown.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, I support what um, President Oting had said and I think um, just really trying to get the budget down to um, a more reasonable rate. So, I move
to approve this budget line with the $700,000 reduction to the reserve for salary. Thank you, Councelor Brown. I will motion is made. I will second that to uh under other government uh line item
57820 to reduce that by $700,000. Any further discussion? Council or thank you. Um Colin study when is that expected to I mean we're not paying for it now obviously and it makes good sense with the motion. I don't disagree with it but what's the
expectation? I mean you can pay us pay for it now and but it's not resolved. We'll pay for it when expected. And when are we expecting that study to be completed? We are in the final stages. So the call center did all their work. So now we're reviewing the data, making last minute changes and then sending it
back to the callin center. So we should see it within the next two weeks or so. So it's that close. We are in the final stages. Is that how you came to this figure? Correct. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you. Thank you, Council Council Roby. Thank
you, Mr. Chair. Um, so I guess I need clarification on the $700,000 reduction. Is it because there are costs anticipated in here that haven't been agreed to yet?
I mean, so I'll justify that. One is the Collins report, but I'll let President Oie speak on that. So, we've got two con three contracts haven't been settled yet. So, I'm going off of what the increases were. I'm going to assume they're three and three. I'll remind you, last year we cut out $300,000 from
reserve for salaries, and we still have $130,000 left, but we have three contracts that haven't been settled yet either. But this is funded in anticipation of those contracts not being funded. So,
there's monies that my math says we can sustain with the $1.2 2 million in salary that is positions that aren't filled that we move money around as we do all year
long. So I mean you you you that that's my math. You can let the comproller and the mayor provide figures that they want to do, but I don't want to tip anybody's hand as to who's got what money potentially coming. So, I'm saying
$700,000 and a life in the city will be just fine. Because when the Collins study comes out, we need to review job descriptions. We need to review salary ordinances. And I'll guarantee you that's not going to be a one night
finance committee because I'll tell you, anybody want the answer to the salary study? Everybody gets a big increase. Right? Hold me to it. When you see the salary study, you can tell me if I'm wrong. Your jobs are going to be how big
is that increase and is it warranted. So, I'm saying I'm I'm not going to tell the taxpayers I'm going to put money on their tax bill that I don't know what that money is going to look like and when that'll get done cuz it
may not get done till I don't know whenever he sub when he submits it. next month, next quarter, next year. I don't know how long it's take the council to go through it, but I'm not going to go tell the taxpayers we're going to increase your tax rate, but we're going
to throw a bunch of money in here to give everybody a big adjustment. Yep. Not not happening under my at least I won't vote for it. So, $700,000 is a reasonable adjustment to the reserve for salary line item. Then if I can follow up through you to the mayor. There is
sufficient with that reduction to cover a potential union settlement for the contracts that have not settled yet. Unions. Yes. Okay. Thank you. Thank Thank you.
No further discussion. Motion has been made and seconded to reduce uh line item 57820 by $700,000. All in favor? That carries 520. Okay. So, next up is uh school
support on page 69. I have no questions in this. Oh, councelor Brown. Um, I would just like to move to approve as presented. Motion has been made and seconded to approve the uh school support budget as
submitted. Any further discussion? Council Robby. Thank you. I would just like to point out that this is one of the lines in the budget that makes the net school spending different than what we approved as the individual line item for the schools.
Thank you. Thank you, Counc Motion has been made and seconded to approve. All in favor? Carries 5. Okay. Okay, next up is city and school support on page 71.
Council Fillo. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, no questions. Move to approve the city and school support. Motion motion has been made and I will second that to support the city and school support as submitted. Any further discussion? Council vital. as as of again at the I
went to the most recent of the assessor's office and they were operating at a 66% uh which is again significantly below what the what was budgeted. Um I don't I don't know what line item per se. I just know that
they're they're not spending all the money that we gave them. And I don't know, Brian, if you could if you have access to those, what what which one of these line items hasn't been paid yet or or won't be paid
through Mr. Chair, can did you say the assessor's office because this is school the reports we get on a monthly basis. I the one Thank you. Oh, thank you. I looked at the one at the end of April and so Mr. Chair, Mr. President, just as a point of information, the health and the
health insurance and Medicaid insurance are just slightly behind and those are big dollar numbers. So, they will more than adequately pick up the pace to um zero out those line items by the end of the year. Thank you, Mr. President. Does that answer your question, Council?
Thank you. Yes, it does. Motion has been made and seconded to approve the city and school support as submitted. All in favor? Carries. 50. Next is retirement of debt on page 73.
Mr. Chair, Council Brown. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Move to approve as presented. Motion has been made and I will second that to approve the retirement of debt uh on the uh retirement of debt. Any further
discussion? Seeing none, all in favor carries 5 Z. Next up is longterm debt on page 75. Mr. Chair, Councelor Brown, move to
approve as submitted. Motion has been made and I will second that to approve the long-term debt and interest. Any further discussion? Council vital. again. Um, only half of the money that we put into that account was has been spent by the end of April.
So, debt service, a lot of it's due June 1st and June 15th. Their time doing debt service, it's a six-month increments. So, get it. June's the second pay second half of the payments. Thank you, Kylie. You're welcome. Thank you, Mr. Thank you, council. So, motion has been made
and seconded to approve the long-term debt and interest. All in favor? That carries 520. All right. So, next up is retirement of debt on page 114.
Mr. Chair, councel Brown. Move to approve as submitted. Motion has been made and I will Motion has been made and I will second that to approve the retirement of debt. Any further discussion?
Seeing none, all in favor carries 520. Just paid at the end of the year. Next up is longterm debt and interest on page 116. Mr. Chair,
Councelor Brown, move to approve as submitted. Motion is made and I will second that to approve the long-term debt and interest. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor carries
520. Next up is uh capital projects on page 118. Mr. Chair, again, there's nothing that needs to be done there. That's just a carryover as the auditor mentioned next year when the money rolls out. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you. That that
makes sense. Uh going next to retirement of pensions on page 121 that's a sewer. Move to approve as submitted. Motion has been made uh and seconded to approve the
retirement and pensions in the sewer fund sewer enterprise fund. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? It carries. 520. Um, next up is workers comp on sewer
page 123. Mr. Chair, councelor Brown. Move to approve as submitted. Motion has been made and seconded to approve uh the workers compensation on the sewer enterprise fund as submitted. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in
favor? Carries. 520. Next up is health life insurance uh for the sewer and that is on 12 page 125. Mr. Chair, council Brown move to approve as submitted. Motion's been made and I will second
that to approve the health and life insurance under the sewer enterprise fund. Any further discussion? All in favor? Carries 520. Next up is sewer and other government on
page 127. Mr. Chair, Council Brown, move to approve as submitted. Motion's been made and seconded to approve other general government under sewer enterprise fund as submitted. Any further discussion?
Seeing none, all in favor? Carries. 520. Next up is retirement of debt and on the sewer side on page 129. Mr. Chair, Councelor Brown, move to
approve as submitted. Motion has been made and I will second that to approve the uh to approve the retirement of debt as submitted. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? Carries.
520. Um, next up is long-term debt and interest on the sewer on page 131. Mr. Chair, motion to approve. Give councelor Brown a break. Sorry. Motion has been made and seconded to approve the
long-term debt and interest on the sewer enterprise fund. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? Carries. 520. Uh, next up is retirement pensions on
the water 145. Page 145. Page 145. Chair. Motion to approve. Council on what? Motion to approve, Mr. Chair. Motion has been made and I will second that to repro to approve the retirement
and pension benefits on the W water enterprise fund. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor carries 520. Next up is workers comp on page 14147. Mr. Chair, Council Fillo, move to
approve workers comp. Motion has been made and seconded to approve the workers compensation. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? Carries. 50. Next up is health life insurance uh on
page 149. I will entertain a council fill move to approve health and life insurance. Motion is motion has been made and I will second that to approve the health and life insurance as submitted. Any uh further discussion?
Seeing none, all in favor carries. 5. Next up is water and other government on page 151. Don't quit on them now, Mr. Chair. Council Council Pill, move to approve. Motion has been made and seconded to
approve other government uh uh other general government as submitted. Any further discussion? All in favor? Carries. 50. Next up is retirement of debt on page 15153.
Mr. Chair, motion to approve. Motion has been made and seconded to approve the retirement of debt as submitted. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? Carries. 520. Next up is long-term debt interest on
page 155. Mr. Chair, Council Fillo, move to approve. Motion has been made and seconded to approve the long-term debt and interest on the water enterprise fund as submitted. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor?
That carries. Thank you, finance team. And I believe that concludes the review of the FY2026 operating budget submitted by the mayor. Thank you. So take uh recess. Yeah, take a two-minute recess. I will
take a twominut recess. finance committee has now reconvened at 10:15 p.m. Um, we have uh concluded the review of the mayor's budget order number 25-1009439. Uh, that was a communication
from Mayor Dumis with an FY2026 municipal operating budget in the amount of $215,32,846. Uh the finance committee has reduced the amount of 1,481,085 which brings it to an operating budget total of amount of
$213,821,841. uh reduction uh budget of 9.15% increase. But can you repeat those because did I heard you say $5? I did too. The reduction was the reduction. Well,
one of the amounts ended with $5. Was 1,481,5 where was the $5? There was a typo. Oh, that that changed that. Thank you. That's like and now we 60 bucks. We saved every budget of $23 a little more
than 60 213,821,841 which we will reflect a 9.15% increase. Um, at this point I will ask for entertain a motion to councelor Brown. Thank you, Mr. Chair
um move to approve the fiscal year 26 budget as presented by the f or as amended by finance committee. Motion has been made and seconded to approve the FY2026 m municipal operating budget as amended. Any further discussion? Mr.
Chair, councilor, I'm in favor of the reductions except for the 250,000 to the schools. So my vote will be in the negative on that reasoning. Thank you. Thank you, councelor. Any further discussion? All in favor? It carries.
All in favor? One, two, three, four. All oppose. One. It carries. 420 to Z uh 4 to 1. I will enterain a motion. Move to adjourn. Motion has been made and seconded to adjourn. All in favor. It carries. We are adjourned at 10:18 p.m.
Thank you. Thank you.