Good evening. I will call to order the finance committee meeting on May 11th, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. Uh we have one item on the agenda this evening. Uh it is order number 26-1009740. Uh, communication from the mayor.
Proposed fiscal year 2027 operating budget in the amount of 20022,882,585, which represents a 4.2 4.24% increase over fiscal year 2026 appropriations. Um, I'll begin um by
reading the uh letter from the mayor and then after I'm finished reading the letter from the mayor, I'll have the uh the mayor uh do a budget overview with your team and then we can start going through the budget. Um so I will begin with the letter submitted by the mayor. Uh, dear honorable President Oing and
city councilors, in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws, chapter 44, section 32 and the city charter, I respectfully submit for your review and consideration of the proposed operating budget for the city of Malbor for fiscal year 2027.
The proposed FY2027 budget totals 222,882,585, which represents a 4.24 24 increase or 9 9,60,744 over the fiscal year 2026 adopted budget. Uh this increase is attributed
to rising costs in key areas including education, health care, debt service, utilities and waste removal, collective bargaining agreements and the continued investment in technology, software and city infrastructure. uh most other department departmental uh
budgets remain level funded or are presented res reserve deductions to re various line items. It is important to note that there was a reduction in the retirement contribution for both the city and the school uh for fiscal year
2027. We anticipate 2 million in new growth and maintain a strong fiscal position with 63 million in available available excess levy capacity. Uh key budget drivers contributing to the increase include uh $2,77,340
or 25% increase for Malro public schools. Uh 1,600,653 or 12% increase for school health insurance. A1,45,312 or a 12% increase for city health and
life insurance. uh and $339,640 reduction for long-term debt service. $225,000 for interest in our short-term debt service. A 50% increase based on a negative increase from fiscal year 26 uh
in reserve for salaries for adjustments and retirements. Uh 225,000 for interest on bond anticipation notes. uh $520,000 or 16% 16.9% increase for waste
management services uh 196,000 or a 2.6% increase in the water MWR and a1,494,934 or 17.5% increase for Asabet Valley Regional Technical High School.
We work closely with all departments to identify areas where we could make uh the modest yet impactful uh budget cuts, budgetary cuts. Uh given ongoing state fiscal uncertainty, uh minimal increases to the city budget in years past and other financial pressures, we approached
this uh uh prepared to make reductions that would not compromise the city's core operations. Um at the same time we aim to be diligent uh deliberate in our decisions mindful of each department distinctive needs and responsibilities
to our taxpayers. We were met with understanding during this process and work collaboratively collaboratively uh to get increase below 5%. As you may know, many of our dedicated city employees are Marbor residents. Having
that same homegrown perspective during the budget process works together with the departments and is something I'm grateful for on a deep level. We all share a love for the city of Malro and do our best for all our taxpayers. I want to extend my deepest appreciation
to our dedicated finance team, Auditor Diane Smith and Controller Brian Dohaney for their work in preparing this budget. I also thank all department heads including the retirement board for their cooperation regarding budgetary adjustments and the city council for their commitment to the thoughtfulness
and responsible budget review process. I look forward to working together with you in the coming weeks as we review the FY2027 budget to best serve the residents of Malro and our growing city. Sincerely, Jay Christian Dumis mayor. >> Good evening, Mr. Mayor and your team.
>> Good evening. I will I will let you uh give your overview and summary of your proposed budget. >> Thank you very much. So I just want to thank you all for for this uh wonderful process that we're going to go through tonight. Um so I believe the letter sums up from where we are and in the in all
the increases that are um either contractual or to keep the city running. Um but I'm sure you're all no stranger to the news with all the inflation and everything else that's going on. It's a topic of the conversation in all our mayor meetings and uh the topic is nothing but overrides across the board.
Um we we are not we're also impacted by that as well. So that's why you see the the uh increase with the budget that you have before you. Um so not only do other cities and municipalities have to plan for the override, but they actually have to come up with a game plan on how to get community involvement for those
overrides. Thankfully, we do not have to do that here. Um that does not mean that I want to tap in and tax the residents of Malro, but we do have an extreme luxury when it comes to that. Um we are um pretty envious of every other community every time I go to the mayor's
meeting. So I do not take that lightly. Um our growth is extremely important in how to navigate that continued growth. Um it's all of our jobs together to collectively work on that because obviously the tax implications with the budget increasing year after year, we need that new growth and we have it here
and it seems to be a common theme um throughout every meeting that I go to with other mayors. So having said that um I just want to thank all of the department heads. We looked really closely at every line item to see where we can pull money from and cut and reorganize certain departments to see
where we can move money to better impact not only each department but also keep the um services that the residents are accustomed to moving forward. Um we have to stay competitive with those services but also salaries to keep the employees that we have um happy and stay here. We
have an incredible amount of talent that works for the city and I would be um hardressed not to say if we do not have the talented that we have here in the city this budget would look a lot different than what it has been in the years past. Um I'm very thankful for the
team that we have. I think in now the third year that we have you can see an definitely an increase um in the staff and support um with my administration because um we are getting the right people to do the job and and done well. Um having said that I will pass this
over to Brian so he can give an overview um of where we are in the tax implications for the residents with this. Thank you. >> Thank you Brian. >> Thank you. Um, so basically the tax impact, uh, the proposed tax levy you
have in front of you is 126,54,340. So we're a split rate community. If you keep the shift at 1.47 when we set the tax rate, uh, hopefully November this year, um, the effect on the increase on
the average tax home would be $41,943. So, just keep in mind that even the tax rate, even if the tax rate goes up or down based on the value, the average taxpayer based on the budget we have in front of you, we project would be a $41,943
uh increase. We are projecting to keep the excess levy above $60 million. Um, again, that excess levy not dipping into it helps with we do this rating with standard and pores. We
are very pleased that we have a AAA rating. Um we just had a meeting with them a couple weeks ago. They'll have their report out um by the end of the month. Um so therefore, you know, that AAA rating is very important based on the borrowing that we see in front of us
in the years to come. That's all I have. >> Thank you. Uh if that's you're all right, then I will open it to the council for opening comments. Uh the city council have any questions? Councelor Ducet, >> thank you very much. Uh quick question.
Uh Brian, um with the analysis, do are we comfortable with them maintain giving us maintaining the AAA bond rating at this point? >> We are. We I would be surprised if they moved us down any we're in a very good position. Um, I know we'll probably get
into it later, but with the retirement being paid off still in FY29, that's a big key to us. Um, I'll have some policies in front of you down the road on what we do with those funds once that's paid off and that will help um continue our AAA rating.
>> Thank you for that. Appreciate >> it. Thank you, Council Det, >> Mr. President. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, as I do customarily and before each budget hearing, I want to give a kind of an overview of where we've been, how we did last year, and what to look forward
to this year. I think because it's important to learn how we did, any mistakes we made, and then looking forward. So, for fiscal year 26, that's the budget we're in right now. The the budget was submitted at 215 million or
an increase of 19 million, almost 10%. The council reduced it by 1.4 million. And just to put in perspective, the 25 budget was reduced by 717,000 and we ended the year with a $2.3 million surplus. Fisc year 24 was
reduced by 940,000 and we ended the year with a $4.4 million surplus. So what I'm setting you up for is that any adjustments to the budget does not mean the world's coming to an end. And I'll get into that in a little more detail. The council ended approving a $213
million budget or a $17 million increase or 9.1%. So for this budget, the mayor submitted a $222 million increase of budget. So it's an increase of $9 million or 4.24. Mayor, well done. That that's that
that's beats 9.9% by at least half. All right. But the tax impact on the average single h family house is still projected to be $420. So if the council reduces this budget by half a million, the tax impact would be
$392. If we impact if we reduce it by a million, the tax impact would be $365 to the average house. And then councelor Vital's resolution that he brought up to get it to $250
would require a $3.5 million reduction in the budget. I don't see that happening personally. There's four primary drivers as the mayor discussed. So of that $9 million, 6.1 million of that is made up of schools by 2 million,
school health insurance 1.6 million, Aset Valley 1.5 million, and city health 1 million. So those four alone make up a 6 million of the $9 million increase. So, the next three pages details the line by line item that we reduced the
budget by. And I updated it in red to tell you how we did. And I'll tell you, the $1.4 million that was reduced by the city council for this year's budget has had zero impact on the performance of services and how
the city is done. So, good job. I mean, I know it's hard to reduce the budget, but there haven't been any issues, and I'm happy to go through any of those if you want. But I'll let you read those at your leisure. But the point is the $1.4 million adjustments we made did not
impact how city services were being carried out this year on the fisc year 26 budget status. So through April right now, we're running $1.1 million under in salary line items.
$814,000 was used in underruns back in January. So we we're about $1.9 million under in salary. So not no one wants to cut budgets. I mean cut salaries, which I get and I encourage the department heads
to hire if they can, but that that's something you got to be aware of. So when we say we're going to take money out of electricity, sorry Ted, or other accounts, there's money there. All right? We're not going to hire everybody on July 1st. There is money and it and I've gone through this speech year after
year after year and you guys have not proved me wrong yet. All right. I'm hoping the department heads can hire everybody July 1st and prove me wrong. But it it it just doesn't happen. It it's a tough market out there. Right. Fiscal year 25, the salary underruns at this point were 1.1 million. In 24 they
were 1.1. In 23 800,000. So the the underruns are there. So now go to internal transfer. So kudos to the council. Way back a couple years ago, we approved the or the order that allows the department heads to manage their budget. They can move money around. All
right. So they've moved one a little over a million dollars around and pages seven and eight show you what they've done month by month of no impact. And and good for the departments love it because nothing don't take this wrong, Mr. Chairman. They don't necessarily like to come before us every time they
want to move money around. But it's worked fine. I I think the auditors hasn't had any issues with it and and and it's consistent year after year at this time. That's about the amount of money that's transferred. Now, there's going to be another year-end transfer the mayor's going to submit. It's probably going to be another million
dollars, which is going to be in line with what we did in 25 and 24. So, it's not it's not unheard of. So, let's talk about hiring. So through April, so just this fiscal year, the city's hired 112 individuals and there
79 have left the city. And I just take this from the month by month accounting that the retirement board does. Who's in, who's out of those 112 individuals, the school added 86 and 58 left, and the city added 26 and 21 left. And then when
I review the HR website, the city has 20 open positions. Last year we had 18 and a school has 48 open positions. So assuming those positions remain unfilled, the conservative estimate is schools will have an underrun of $ 1.9 million and the city will underrun
salary by 1.3 million. Now you all know, as I just said, they transfer money around, but there's money there that's that's just not being used. So now how taxes are determined. I do this for the simplicity more for the public. I call it my simple ABC formula.
You know, state aid plus local revenue plus the property tax equal the budget. So the budget, that's what we're going to talk about tonight. All right, it's a $9 million increase. All right, projected impact on taxes, $420. So to pay for that, you got to get state
aid. State aid is only expected to be $62.6 million, an increase of only 182,000. Now, I know the Senate's done theirs and it's got to go to House Ways of Mean and then the governor's got to sign it and then the House gets to veto and the House and Senate get to challenge it. But last year, we saw $3.8
million increase in state aid. 3.8 million versus 182,000. So, your state aid piece of the puzzle isn't helping us. Local revenue projections right now, it says a $ 1.5 million increase this year for fiscal
year 27. Last year we saw a $4.5 million increase in local aid. So again, not big. So what does that mean? So that means when you take the budget and you subtract local aid, which is minimal, and local revenues, which is minimal, means you get taxes. And taxes are going
to be high. All right? But there's opportunity for taxes. All right? We can hope that state aid increases. I'm not a big fan on hoping that doesn't work so good. Increase local revenue. This is where we come in. City council needs to
approve projects. I'm not getting a bite from Council Haven. All right. So, projects need to be approved for two reasons. One, the long-term impact of the added to the tax base, but the building permits. And most recently, the state crime lab just wrote us a
check for $1 million for building permits for their fees. All right. That's that doesn't they haven't even built the thing. and we got a million bucks. So I I can't stress that enough. You can say you don't like building,
which I get, but then when the people ask how why are taxes going up, I will let you answer it. All right. And then the third piece is reduce the budget. So page 11 just shows all the tax history. And if you, as you can see, the
tax history prior to last year was all less than $200. So you take this year's protect protect projected tax increase of 420 plus last year's $590. That's just over $1,000 increases to the residential single family tax. It took
us eight years to do that prior to that. So that's significance. When you get the call taxes, that that's that's a big piece that you need to be aware of. All right. We were able to we we ran well my mantra's always been steady predictable tax adjustments less than 5% which came
out to less than 200 bucks. All right. We're not going to do it this year. I'm I'm telling you right now it's just not going to happen. So finally, this is the second largest budget increase in the city's history. Last year's was the biggest. And as I
tell you every year, this budget is only as good as the day we sign it. After that, department heads the the pipes break, things go wrong, they move money around, and it's not a bad thing. It's just the fear of I can't touch this particular line item because how how they going to survive? The departments
will survive. We've done it every year since then. All right. Again, we've reduced in 23 86,000 24 940,000 in fiscal year 25 717,000. And then last year this current budget
we uh reduced it by 1.4 at no impact on how services are being delivered. All right. So reducing the budget starts next year budget at a lower level because what's the thing we say? Well, as long as it's level funded, it's okay. But if we keep increasing the budget, that le that that level of funding
continues to increase. So lowering it now helps for next year. Underruns in the budget will continue and can be used in the transfer process to fund any deficits. The department heads are smart people. They know how to do it. They'll tell us.
We haven't shot them down yet. Everything that comes before us, we've approved, which isn't a bad thing. Means we set we've done okay setting the the budget up the revenue projections, which is what I'm nervous about. We're projecting $1.9
million in building permits. Councilors, if we're not going to approve anything, we're not going to hit that. And that's going to lower even more the revenue piece of the pie. So, I don't do it because I like to build. I do it because we need revenue to to support the budget. So, set a
budget to support the needed services and a tax that residents can afford. Thank you, Mr. Chair. >> Thank you, Mr. President Oi. Any further comments from the council? >> Seeing none, um, thank you, Mr.
president and it it's good to have that knowledge going forward working on the budget uh because I know a lot of the subject came up during the classification hearing um and this is the time to be doing that diligent work on working on the budget going forward.
>> Mr. Chair, >> oh thank you. I was waiting for you to finish your comments. Um where do I start? Well, I told the mayor I would give over some overview notes of what I thought of the budget this year. And one thing I really appreciate was the
listing of employees within the organiza organizational flowcharts provides insight on the tremendous amount of employees who contribute to our city residents on a daily basis. I've been on that side, so I really appreciate you
respecting and stating who they are. Um, education incentives. We just chatted a second ago before you walked when you're walking in. I think that's excellent. It provides all employees the opportunity to continue their education and it benefits our city residents because the
more educated our employees are, the better off we all are because they can make more educated decisions. And again, a great opportunity. Uh we've done it. My father was a police officer. They've been doing that for years. I'm glad to see it getting spread out the entire
municipal base of employees. Question, have you resolved and I don't want to get in contractual discussions, but the MMEA has we got some correspondence and obviously you know you like I worked for John Celicus. He was our public
health agent and he always would say if you're going to water the tree you water the whole area not just a certain part of the tree will fall. It's a good example and John was a great guy. He worked on the public health department as well as a board member. How are we doing with that? And if it's going to
interfere with contractual, I'll talk to you off record. >> No, we uh start that process next year. So, all our contracts are up next year. So, >> okay. Again, you don't have to go too deep into that. I know it's also negotiations. >> It's all pending negotiations and I
would rather not discuss that. >> That's fine. and I offered that to you. >> Yep. And I appreciate that >> and I going through the budget. I went through everyone. I had questions for some other departments, but I get it. Uh >> you can you I came hopefully prepared to answer those questions. If not, then
>> you already answered one on the solicitor, so I appreciate that. >> And um I had some questions with others, but I really truly believe you've done a good job with realistic budgeting. What I find in this budget is a lot of the outofcontrol situations, waste disposal,
recycling thankfully is a little bit cheaper and I think people will continue to recycle. Uh electricity, gas, we see this at home, too. We're very, you know, this city is very fortunate to be able to put out your recycling bin and your trash bin every week. I worked in a town
where you pay pay as you throw, right? >> So, we're very fortunate in Marro to have that, but the costs go up. Those companies have to increase cost. We know about gas and electric. It happens in my home budget as well. We all feel that impact. That's a horrendous impact. But
again, it's happening and there's not much we can do about those type of costs. You were going to say something. >> No, I was just going to say it's pretty uncomfortable sitting with a bunch of mayors and they're talking about um how big their trash receptacles are per person and how much their fees are and how much per bag. And I'm just kind of
slinging down because thankfully we don't have that problem here, you know. So, it's it's a different perspective when you see other communities and towns and municipalities who have to actually have this conversation and and we're pretty fortunate that we don't have to make those tough calls. You know, we have other tough calls to make obviously
just like just like everyone else, but um it is a whole different perspective obviously sitting in this seat and then kind of seeing what other municipalities are up against each and every day. >> Yeah. And and with that said, in my neighborhood, we had two houses for sale sold just like that. Once the spring
season came out, you go to any other city or town near us, they're not paying the taxes we're paying. And that's the work of this entire body, including the mayor's office, the comproller, Diane Smith, the auditor. You know, we work as a team. And I think that's but my last
comment, Mr. Mr. Chair, and that'll be it. Marbru has been fortunate since I saw them putting I think it was the RCA building in years ago. Our previous leaders realized we were lucky to have 495 going right through the backside of
Marro. We have got in my view talking about growth and projects we have got to continue and including with MEDC to attract commercial industrial properties. That's the growth I want to see. I want to see good growth. Other
growth such as residential draws on all these services and all the people behind me, schools, DPW, police, fire, you go on, municipal employees, it draws on it. So it's not as good growth as what I see when we attract and we have the
opportunity to attract with water and sewer and highway good commercial industrial growth and I'm glad the state police crime lab worked out. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. >> Thank you, Council. With that said, no further discussion. What we can begin is
going through the page flipping and we will start with the uh non highlighted items on our sheet. And that will begin with page 13, which is the uh city council. >> Yep. Page and and and if there's no questions or
discussion, I will entertain a motion. >> Mr. Chair, >> Council Chillo. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh move to approve the city council budget as presented to us. >> Motion motion has been made and I will second that uh to uh to approve the budget for the city council as
submitted. Any further discussion? Seeing none. All in favor 1 2 3 4 5. That carries. Moving on to page 15, which is the mayor's department. >> Mr. Chair, I'd like to make a motion to to accept the the budget as presented.
>> Motion's been made. I will second that uh to approve the uh mayor's budget as submitted. Council council Joe. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just one very quick question, Mr. Mayor. Appreciate uh your opening. >> So close. So close. >> Right. So close. So close. I apologize.
Um as you know, long ago I was a summer intern. Just a quick question about the summer employment initiative. Um noticed a very minor reduction. Is that due to just a lack of interest? Take it. I have a feeling there's quite a few >> applicants. I came prepared. We actually had 40 applicants that actually did apply and we actually just I didn't feel
comfortable asking all these departments to cut their budget and I did not. So, um we trimmed that down so we'll have 11 interns which I think is still a pretty decent amount. >> Absolutely. No, I appreciate that. And a quick plug for the program itself. So, >> we're interviewing all next week. So, uh yeah, it's always a good good program.
So, um it was tough to but again we we didn't feel it was appropriate not to cut. So, thank you. >> Understand. Well, thank you. Thank you for chill. So motions been made, >> Mr. Chair. One other point, >> and I I agree. I I was an intern here at the health department for three summers.
Um made me go where I went. So it was tremendous. But I agree with Council Fello that, you know, I was concerned about that, too. Um the other note I just wanted to make and the mayor and I had a discussion on this was his salary, but again, >> wait, you brought that up. I did not.
>> I brought it up. Very clear. I did not. You were fortunate that you have a comproller. >> I'm very fortunate to you. Correct. >> And that is why I supported his salary item because that if a town manager is going to run a town, his controller knows >> you have to have a wide variety most
likely a masters in public administration. >> So that's where I think that that's a great combo because I could be a I could be a an artist coming in to be mayor and I wouldn't have all that background that a comproller would have. So I think it's a great marriage and an important one,
but also supports why the salaries are based the way they are. >> I thank you, Mr. >> I am very thankful to the controller. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. >> So motion's been made and seconded to approve the mayor's budget. All in favor? 1 2 3 4 5. That carries. Moving
on to budget line item uh page 17, the comproller. >> Mr. Chair, >> Council Fillo. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh no questions. Move to approve the comproller budget as presented. >> Motion has been made. I will second that to approve the comprollers's budget as
submitted. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? 1 2 3 4 5. That carries. Moving on to uh page 19, which is the city auditor. Further discussion, I will entertain a
motion. >> Thank. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. are moved to approve the auditor's budget as presented. >> Motion has been made. I will second that to approve the city auditor's budget as submitted. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? It carries.
520. Next up is the assessor's budget on page 21. >> Mr. Chair, >> council vital. I make a motion to reduce line item 53114 from $20,000 increase to a $10,000
increase. >> I'm sorry. What What number was that, Council Vital? >> 53114. >> 53114 by 10,000. >> That's the motion. >> Motion Motion has been made to reduce uh line item 53114
from the assessor's department. Is there a second, >> Mr. Chair? Council Fel. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. A quick question just about that line item if I may through the mayor and and the finance director. Um I know I see the assessor here as well. Um I also noted that line item that councelor Vital is is
proposing a reduction to. Um I noticed that right 100% increase up to $40,000 and it seemed the reasoning from the letter was um that we would be having a number of full hearings coming before us which is I just wanted some clarification. Is that unusual to what we've had before? Um I couldn't help but
notice right in in fiscal year 25 we did not expend this line item much. This year we did expend over the 20,000 that we budgeted for but but not close to the 40,000 that's being requested. So some clarification there would be >> Sure. So there's been uh some cases that
have lingered on for a couple years that are nearing the end of their time. If we need an appraisal it's $20,000 for the appraisal and legal fees. So that's why the additional 20,000 I mean that's only two cases $40,000 right
>> there's more cases than that in the pipeline uh the original ask it was either 60 or $80,000 so we reduced it already before he before it got in front of you and that's why we asked that we believe there's at least going to be two cases that we're going to have to deal
with um and probably two more behind it but again as councelor um Austin had mentioned you know we'll try to transfer from goes within or from free cash when that gets certified. >> Thank Thank you. I appreciate it. And just last comment regard so just one more quick question. So 23,000 has been
expended year to date this year. So I'd assume we have one one appraisal one case this year that was closed. >> It's not closed but undergo. Okay. >> Please. Yes. >> Thank you. >> Thank you for the point of Sorry, Mr. Chair. Just a point of the original ask
was 90 because we thought 30 3030 for the three. So, we significantly cut it beforehand, but um if you feel that's needed is more, then obviously we can make it work, but we thought justifiable. The amount that was submitted was pretty accurate. >> Thank you, Mr. Mr. Chair.
>> Council, thank you. And the money, and it's in the second paragraph of the letter, it's obviously to go after funding that to defend cases before the appellet tax board. I presume the money well it will be well spent because we're
going to be gaining funds from the appellet tax reviews. Correct. >> So it helps defend our values. >> Correct. >> Um you know they get their appraiser and they come in and if we don't have money for our appraiser they're all timelining court. So you have to have the funds
there in order to fight them. And if we have to wait for free cash we could be in trouble. That's why, you know, we think the 40,000 will get us at least through the year until we need to transfer other funds. >> And if I could ask, do we have a general idea how much money is in the rears because of the fact we haven't been able
to solve these cases? >> I wouldn't say in the rears, it's just that the court system how slow it takes to get the cases through. And I will commend Patrick. He's done a wonderful job since he's recently come on. Um, you know, he he's definitely moving the
cases. Um, Aldo Cypriano is doing a wonderful job with us also to to move the cases forward. You know, we we hate to get to a point where this late in the year where if we don't have funding where he says, I'll hold off, delay it until we get to the new fiscal year and use that money. You're just pushing,
you know, the case forward, but you're not helping yourself out. So that's why we think the $40,000 is a good number to move forward with. >> Thank you. Thank you, Mr. >> Chair. So motion has been made to reduce line item 53114. Is there a second?
Seeing none, I will entertain a motion. Mr. >> Council Fill. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Move to approve the assessor's budget as presented. >> Motion has been made and I will second that to approve the assessor's budget as submitted. Any further discussion?
Seeing none, all in favor? One, two, three, four. All opposed? One. Thank you. Council. Moving on to page 23, uh, which is the city collectors budget.
>> Councelor Fillo. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, no questions on this one. Move to approve the city collector's budget. >> Motion's been made. I will sec second that to approve the city collector's budget as submitted. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor?
One, two, three, four, five. It carries. Moving on to legal which is on page 27. >> Mr. Chair, >> Council Bible, >> I move to accept the uh the line item as the budget as approved or a budget as presented. >> Okay. Uh motion's been made and I will
second that to approve the the uh legal department's budget as submitted. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? One, two, three, four, five. That carries. Thank you. Moving on to human resources on page 29.
>> No discussion. I will entertain a motion. Council Fillo. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Move to approve the human resources budget as presented. >> Motion has been made and I will second that to approve the human resources budget as presented. Any further discussion? Council or
>> Mr. Chair, it was well defined and that's why I appreciate the summaries of each each budget for each department. >> That's a good point, council. Yes. >> Uh I did have a question I can ask the mayor. I know we're doing our own world work workplace safety. Do we still have any involvement with the Meyer uh
insurance programs to reduce the cost of insurance? >> Yes. And is that part of what this discuss discussion and description was in the HR budget or is it a separate >> that's kind of a separate but sometimes we can use those to piggyback on the Mayer rewards if you don't mind.
>> You know we can if if they qualify for the Meyer um we pass it through and we get credit for them. >> Okay. So we're still seeking that training. >> Absolutely. And that's a full citywide effort with all departments to maximize where we can get those credits. >> Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
>> Thank you, Councilwoman. Motion has been made and seconded to approve the uh human resources budget. All in favor? One, two, three, four, five. That carries. Moving on to information systems which is page 31.
No discussion. I will entertain a motion. Motion's been made and seconded to approve information technology budget. Any further as submitted. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? 1
2 3 4 5. That carries. Next up is the city clerk's budget on page 34. >> Mr. Chair. >> Councelor Fillo. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Move to approve the city clerk's budget as presented. >> Motion has been made. I will second that
to approve the city clerk's budget as presented. Any further discussion? >> Mr. Council, >> just a quick question on the poll work is it was a little confusing the way it was described, but I presume they're being reduced because we're not having a city election and it'll go back into the budget next year. Is that what we're
going to see on this? >> Correct. >> Yeah, that's the next line, I know, but yeah, if you want to jump ahead. Yes. >> Yeah. Yes, Mr. >> It was just, you know, you showed reduction, but you didn't just want to see what we're expecting next year. Um, >> yeah. >> Return. >> It'll it will return maybe not that
amount because it's not a presidential budget. >> Fin question. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. >> Thank you, council. Motion's made and seconded to approve the city clerk's budget. All in favor? One, two, three, four, five. That carries. Moving on to elections, which is page
36. Mr. >> Council Pillo. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just a uh quick plug here. I know uh um I had the opportunity to go into the elections department here in Malbor at the clerk's office to hand in some nomination sheets for certification um for a candidate
running for federal office. They took care of me so quick. Did a fantastic job. Um and I got great feedback from the Secretary of the Commonwealth's office uh up at Ashbertton Street in Boston. So they do a great job. No questions. With that move to approve the elections department budget.
>> Thank you councelor Fchel. Motion's made and I will second that to approve the elections uh budget as submitted. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? 1 2 3 4 5. That carries.
Next is the license commission on page 38. >> Motion to approve. >> Motion's made and I will second that to approve the license commission's uh budget as submitted. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor?
One, two, three, four, five. Carries. Next up on uh page 62 is inspections. 62. >> Mr. Chair, >> council viral. >> I have a few items here. Um, first off is is line item 51300, additional gross overtime. I'd like to reduce that by
$1,000. And I'm sorry, council, what number was that? >> 513 0. Additional gross overtime. >> I don't see 51. >> You're on 41 >> on page uh inspection starting on page
62. >> 63. >> Oh, I'm sorry. My fault. I forgot the skipping. My fault. Apologize, Mr. Chair. >> Are you all? >> Yeah. >> Are you all set? >> Yeah, he's on page 40 something.
>> So, we we are on uh the inspectional uh services budget that began on page 62. >> Motion to approve. >> Motion's been made. I will second that to approve the uh inspectional uh services budget as presented. Any
further discussion? >> Mr. chair, if I may. >> Go ahead, Sean. >> Okay. Um, I would just like to add I mentioned earlier the tremendous amount of employees that add to our community and this department is a very busy
department and I appreciate all the information provided in the summary and that's why a motion to approve. Thank you, Mr. Chair. >> Yeah. So, motion has been made and seconded to approve the budget that budget line item as submitted. All in favor? One, two, three, four, five. That
carries. Now moving on to page 77 which is Asabet Valley Regional. As we do not have any real input on making a a reduction in this, I will
entertain a motion. >> Motion to approve. >> Motion's been made and second it to approve the Asabet Valley uh budget as submitted. Any further discussion? >> Mr. Chair, >> council, >> it was noted they're definitely getting
increases in Mobo students. There's been reductions in Burlin. I even think Hudson, but they I think it's 58 if I'm not mistaken, new student enrollments in that school. So I think that also answers to some of the increases. Thank you, Mr. Chair. >> Thank you, Councilor. Motion has been
made and seconded to approve the Asid Valley budget as submitted. All in favor? One, two, three, four, five. That carries. Thank you. Moving on on the next page is the recreation department on page 97.
>> Mr. Chair, >> councelor Fillo. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, no questions on this line item and uh move to approve the recreation department budget as presented. >> Motion has been made and I will second that to approve the recreation department budget as submitted. Any further discussion? council or
>> just I hope if they haven't yet found people to fill in those two vacancies because it's just Mr. Tibido out there right now on on his own it appears from the budget that was submitted in the summary but I would support the budget as well I just hope they find employees >> can thank
>> Mr. Mayor >> speak to that. So there's a reclassification within finance so we can get those positions filled. >> Good. Good. You could use the help. It looks like >> councelor Precia. >> Thank you so much. Um so I see an
increase in the in item 53610 which is equipment and supplies for youth activities. Is that because we're getting more people interested in in um the outdoor activities during the summer and and throughout the year? That is for the pools and the chemicals that we uh
ward park. >> Okay, >> understood. That's lumped in with the youth activities as like the summer programs that that are run through the rec department or or is that a separate item somewhere? >> So since we remodeled the pools, there's new chemicals and new equipment that's
needs to be maintained. So that's the cost for the 5,000. >> Yeah, I understand that. Um that's fine. Thank you. No, I was that the question. I'm sorry. There was something else. >> No, he he the description I think is what's throwing you a little. It says equipment supplies- youth activity and I
think that's what's throwing you. So, so I'll highlight that and see next year whether we keep that. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> There's a lot of work that munus needs to to be updated on especially um positions and salary titles. It's can be very very confusing.
>> My apologies for not understanding your question. >> Thank you. Thank you Mr. Mayor for that clarification. Uh motion has been made and seconded to approve the uh well I forgot to know where I am. Uh recreation department. Thank you council patrol. Recreation department. All in
favor? One two three four five. Thank you sir. Carries. Okay. Next up is the health and licensing on page 99. >> Motion to approve. Motion has been made and seconded to approve the health and
licensing um budget as submitted. Any further discussion? All in favor? Carries. 1 2 3 4 5. Next up on page 101 is human services. No discussion. I will entertain a motion.
>> Motion to approve. Motion has been made and I will second that to approve the human services uh budget as submitted. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? One, two, three, four, five. Carries.
Next up is on page 103, uh, Council on Aging. >> Mr. Chair, >> council or >> motion to approve for discussion. Motion has been made and seconded to approve the Council on Aging budget as
submitted. Any further discussion, Mr. Chair, if I may? >> Council or >> um any updates? Uh this department's being run by state funding and it was noted that, you know, hopefully we'll have the funding coming through and we see the state cutting back a little bit already and sherets and so forth. Do we
have any word on what's going to happen with this department? >> I have not heard anything as of yet. Um, we're still have the anticipation of $16 per senior for the formula grant funding. I haven't heard anything about it increasing or decreasing. So, we're maintaining at the $16 rate.
>> If it was decreased, we most likely then would need to have you come back to the council for >> I if that happens, I would be more than happy to. So, >> and just so you know, they they handle 35% of the senior residents in this city. I was looking at just the numbers
and they do a lot and I'm familiar with that department because I entertain some of their programs >> as do I. Hopefully we don't have to come down that road where we >> Yeah, I hope not. But again, it's a shaky way to run a department on grants, but again, I just had that question. >> That's fair. Thank you.
>> My motion stands that I recommend approval of the budget. >> Thank you, Council. Motion has been made and seconded to approve the Council on Aging budget as submitted. All in favor? 1 2 3 4 5. That carries.
Next up on page 105, >> Mr. Chair. Oh, council viral. >> Um, I I received a number of phone calls over the last week about the reduction in veteran benefits and President O was a was awesome as he always is and he
kind of shared with me that that line item continuously comes in below what we budget year after year after at least over the last three years. So it's even though it looks like we're reducing veteran benefits when we are making that
line item re more realistic. >> Thank you. >> And should we ever need additional veteran benefits um I'll be the first to bring to this body the a transfer. So with that I'd like to make a motion to approve. Thank >> and thank you for that that update
council. Uh motion has been made. I will second that to approve the veteran services budget as submitted. Any further discussion? Council Orm, >> I had the same question because and our veteran agent Michael Hennessy indicated he's satisfied with the budget as
presented. But yeah, when you look through the numbers on veterans benefits, 140 for FY25, 125 and went down to 105. I agree with Council of Vital. I would be more than happy to support especially now that uh
not just our veterans but our military is busy. And with that said, if they come back and they need more benefits, I would be with council vital and stand up for that because as we know, one of our own counselors has been called back. So, but that's all I have to say. Thank you.
>> Thank Thank for motion's been made and seconded to approve the budget as submitted. All in favor? One, two, three, four, five. It carries. Next up on page 107
is the library. >> Motion to approve. >> Motion has been made and I will second that to approve the libraryies budget as submitted. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? One, two,
three, four, five. That carries. Next up on page 110 is celebrations. Mr. Chair, >> Councelor Fillo. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Move to approve the celebrations uh as presented.
>> Motion's been made and I will second that to approve the celebrations budget as submitted. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? One, two, three, four, five. Carries. Next up on page 112 is Fort Meadows.
>> Mr. Chair, >> Council Vital. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, couple of quick updates. I got a chance to talk to some of the members as well as Priscilla Ryder, our conservation officer, um, who does some fantastic work around the Fort Meadow Reservoir. Um, and as councilors
may remember, um, and for those who don't know, last year we signed a three-year contract with a new contractor to do weed control on the lake. Um, weed control is largely the bulk of this of this budget. Um, and so just some things to to emphasize. The first year went extremely well with the
new contractor from what I've been told. Um, currently they're doing some pre-ervey work to identify what weed control is needed in this upcoming year. Um, and far wart has been spotted on the lake which could be more costly to get rid of. So counselors may see that they're a little under budget this year which is a good thing because we may
need to tap into that coming up uh into this upcoming year. Um, another thing kind of underscoring the importance of this budget, right, um, Priscilla Ryder and the entire team down there, they remain committed to water quality and depth and the recent droughts that we've been experiencing are putting those in jeopardy. Um, it's, you know, hurting
the water quality and the depth of the lake and leads to more algae bloom. So, um, I am in full support of the Fort Meadows budget and appreciate all that they do in W six, right, and in Ward 7 um, to help keep the, uh, the lake nice and healthy. And would that move to approve the Fort Meadow budget?
>> Thank you, Council Pill. Motion's made. I will second that to approve the Fort Meadows budget as submitted. Any further discussion, >> Mr. Chair? >> Councilor, >> I appreciate my ward counselor's support on this. Thank you. >> Thank you, councilor. Motion made and
seconded. All in favor? One, two, three, four, five. That carries. >> Okay. So, if my numbers are correct, that ends all the non-highlighted items. Um, and at this point, um, if it's okay
with the committee, I'd like to bring the school the the school superintendent up and go over their budget if that is okay at this time. >> Thank you. >> Welcome. >> Good evening. >> Good evening, superintendent.
>> Good evening. And I and again I know uh uh President Osing highlighted a lot of the increase on the the school side. Um so that was uh it was good to see when we were reviewing the budget and realized that there was a reduction in in student count. Um but anyways I'll
let you give a summary on your budget as presented. Thank you. >> Thank you. Appreciate that very much and good evening everybody. Great to be here uh and to be part of this process. Um so the FY27 budget for the Malboro public schools uh has been driven by
three guiding principles. Uh and I do think these are really important to mention because they will most likely anchor all of the answers to your questions that you may have. The first uh goal of our budget was to ensure that we are bringing more direct service right to our classrooms. uh and so we
can talk about some of the reconfiguration of positions and FTEES in terms of how we actually did that. Uh the second uh feeds right into the first which is a realignment of staff. Uh we spent a significant amount of time realigning our faculty uh to ensure that
we are meeting the needs of our students. In FY27 uh we made the determination that different did not necessarily mean more. It meant different. And so we looked at utilizing the FTEEs that we had, the
resources that we had in terms of supplies and materials etc. and reconfigured those in order to meet uh the goals of what will be laid out in our new strategic plan uh in the coming weeks. The third guiding principle for FY27 for us was really anchored around
this idea of strengthening and streamlining our operations. Uh you may or may not be aware uh we did eliminate eight and a half administrative positions. Uh we did reconfigure some of those positions into um uh studentf facing positions, but we also um frankly
eliminated some of them uh in terms of trying to find some efficiencies and help develop a budget that not only meets the needs of our students, but can be supported by uh this body and this city. Um the process itself uh this year uh I'm sure like in many years was very
thorough. Uh we started our development of FY27 in the fall. Um and uh we did a very deep review of historical spending. So uh we met with what we call cost center managers. Those are our directors and principles. Anyone who's in charge
of a budget and we did a very thorough analysis of uh three or four the past three to four years of what was budgeted and what was expended to see exactly how much was spent in each line under that cost center manager's uh supervision. We
then had some very difficult decisions and conversations around some of the resources that had had been budgeted year-over-year, how they were spent, and where we may need to uh shift that allocation for FY27 or eliminate it alto together. Um that was a lengthy process
as you can imagine. Uh we did that in the midst of uh a transition to a new business manager which we're very happy to have Muhammad Sadiki here this evening with me um presenting. Um but we set the scenario so that when Muhammad began uh we had done a lot of that
framing of the structure for our budget. Uh we then held uh many many workshops with our leadership team to talk about the goals or at least the anticipated goals in our upcoming strategic plan uh which we'll be launching as of July 1,
2026. uh because we need to ensure that our fiscal plan actually matches the strategic plan of the school district and our new portrait of a learner. The portrait of a learner is our promise to the city of Malber of what we guarantee every graduate from Malber public
schools will have that does not start in high school. That actually starts in preschool. So we need to ensure that we are aligning our work preK through 12 to fulfill that promise. Uh and we can't do that without the fiscal realignment. Um so we had uh many many tough
conversations with our cost center managers again principles directors did lots of very good work with our mayor with our school committee to help realign those dollars and Muhammad will talk a little bit about some of the specifics around the budget impact. >> Yeah. So originally we proposed a budget
for um for a level service budget representing a 2.94% increase um over FI26 numbers. But uh with the mayor's uh cuts now we are at 2.5% increase from last year to this
year. Um and within this budget we are um able to reconfigure positions. We're adding six intervention coordinators, six interventionist, fiveCL interventionist, one music teacher, one world language teacher and
two preschool teachers and one assistant principles. And along with this, we have some newly identified needs within our schools um you know for for the new science materials um uh after after school music
enrichmental programs and and we have some increases to our transportation. Um to increase wrership we're adding four buses to our FY27 budget. Um so with the new
so with the new um budget cut we are at uh for the total uh for FY27 we are at $84,839,324.5% >> happy to answer any questions you might have. >> Mr. I'll open that up to any questions. Council Vital. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr.
Superintendent, when when you and I met, um I ca I honest I came in there um expecting you to give me an awful lot of excuses about budgetary increases. And boy, was I wrong. Um what what I found
what I my final conclusions about you are you're you are in my opinion someone who spent uh close to 40 years in education. uh you're a business leader um you're a visionist and you have a sound understanding of the classroom and
with that I'd like to make a motion to accept the school's budget. Thank you council. Motion has been made and I will second that to approve the school budget as submitted. Uh any further discussion?
>> Council thank you Mr. Chair. Um thank you for all your budget preparation. love the art that you've been putting in it for years and but thank you for all your efforts this year as council of vital said he couldn't have said it better um we had the opportunity for Dr. Delco to come to our Rotary meeting and
he opened up to our community of the needs and all that and that was excellent. Really shows your your want to be part of the community. I just had a couple notes I want to make. There is a reduction of 368 students. I talked to the mayor about that and that's just
through variety of things. Maybe some are going to ask a bit. I don't know. But you know that's that's life. But that helps a little bit with cutting the budget obviously if you have that. But I think the reorganization definitely is a great facet of what you've done. Page 14, you talk about social emotional
learning and you're not the only school that talks about that. As brought that up in their budget as well. So if you could just explain a little bit of how important that is. I mean you do it on page 14, but the needs of it and so forth. I noticed it goes over in the
other page that you show Hildrth going to be working for social emotional learning. if you may. >> Yeah, I appreciate that. I I think for us it's about minimizing non-academic barriers that can hinder student academic progress. Right? At the end of the day, we're a school, so we're about
getting strong academic outcomes, but we know there are a lot of non-academic pieces that can get in the way of a students learning to their maximum abilities. Uh so, one of the things that we have looked at is really streamlining our student support um processes. So for
instance, we have adjustment counselors. We have uh an attendance uh very small attendance team, re-engagement coach that we call the position. Um and we have u a new position that we are bringing on board through our redesign work of our social emotional learning uh
interventionist. And so we think about it from the perspective of here's what all kids need, here's what some kids need, and here's what few kids need. And then we set up a system that actually addresses those three different tiers. That social emotional interventionist,
that's really a tier 2 piece. It's a student who has some behavioral or some dysregulation that needs to be reset, but may not need a deep level of clinical intervention. Um, and so it's really kind of that in between spot that can do some work in the classroom, but
they can also work with a small group of students uh in a different setting to help reset uh kind of uh re-eregulate the student and get the student back to class. >> I appreciate the efforts education for all is the way I see that. And the only other part having children in the music
program, they're all older now, so they're not children anymore. Fantastic that you're implementing it. I think you had it on page 11 you were talking about. um grades three through five and that's a small amount of money to launch music programs but continue with that effort
in my view. Thank you Mr. Chair. >> Thank you councel. >> Thank you councelor Fello then I'll go to president. >> Thank you Mr. Chair. I appreciate it. Thank you Mr. Superintendent, Mr. Mayor, Mr. Sadiki. It's uh great to see you guys. Just a couple things I wanted to highlight obviously um uh first budget
working together and uh appreciated the opportunity to sit down with you Mr. superintendent um way back when in the fall when you said you know we're just starting to think about this um and now to see this all come to fruition and just a couple of programs that really wanted to emphasize right the new Hilddrth K through8 program right establishing therapeutic special
education program this is something I've heard from residents in our city people who've come to me to talk about you know what what are the needs that they want to see here in Malbor public schools um you know I think right you highlighted the fact that we are at risk of these folks leaving the district and you are you are finding you know new ways
inovnov innovative ways to make sure that this school district's working for all of our students and all of our families. So, I really appreciate that. Other things that I'm hearing from folks, right, have an accelerated learning pathway. That is an incredibly exciting program, right? That's feedback that I hear from the parents I talk to when I'm, you know, talking with
residents, people who are, you know, emailing me, calling me. Um, the biomed program at Malber High, right? Another really exciting initiative that we should be looking at. And lastly, I hear all the time from our teachers the need for reasonable class sizes. and it seems like that's an emphasis in this budget
and a driving factor um behind a lot of right the fiscal investments that you guys are making. So really pleased with a lot of the things that I'm seeing and on top of that a lot of the capital work that's going into this. Um I know I've gotten to work directly with DPW about some stuff happening at Wickcom and some of the needs that I'm hearing from residents who live around Wickcom and
are witnessing right infrastructure improvements that they would like to see as neighbors of the school. So the fact that there's all this collaboration going on I'm very grateful for and very happy to support this budget. Thank you guys. Thank you Mr. Council Fel president AI. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh Jason Muhammad,
it's refreshing is about the the best word I can come up with. You you the work you two have done. I I go back to last year at this meeting. The world was coming to an end. We were getting not so nice emails from residents about any
reductions to a 9.9% increase over $8.4 million to the school budget. Right. budget was reduced by 1.5 million. Nothing happened. The world went on.
Never heard a peep afterwards. I attribute that to your two leadership in making the funding you get work for the school system. The budget increase today, lowest in 10 years. I'd say stand up and take a bow. I mean, it's it's
it's really that refreshing. You guys have done a tremendous job. when we met earlier, you told me you were going to come in under three. Congratulations, man. Your word. The the the the positive work you've done and the feedback I get
is outstanding. So, I want to acknowledge both of you publicly for the work you're doing. I hope it continues. Um I'd love to get you over to Asabet. We got a little issues over there, but that's a different topic. Um but no, thank you, uh both Jason and Muhammad.
Well done. I appreciate it. >> Thank you, President Os. Well said. Councelor Preiano. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, Superintendent, and thank you, Muhammad, for being here. Um, I just wanted to some clarification. Am I to understand that you added some more buses within this budget?
>> We will be adding. >> That's very nice. I I know a lot of people were very very very upset about that last year in last year's budget, and that was one of the reasons why the budget was so high. Um, but that's amazing that you guys were able to add those bus routes because, you know, our
our students need safe routes and and and to be adding more to that that that would really help um you know, drive more students to the school hopefully. So, thank you so much for that, >> Mr. Chair. >> Oh, council. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um,
>> absolutely. Thank you guys for the work you've done with this. um it is clear and eloquent on on what your priorities are. I do have a couple of clarifications. Um the one thing I do have to compliment you is the onepage
budget summary really is a great great tool. So thank you for that. Um the uh in page 14, the Malbor High School supports the implementation of a new alternative education day program. What is that in particular? We are uh very
excited about being able to bring this program forward. So uh where um the program at Hilddrth is a K through8 therapeutic day program, this program at MHS is actually something a little bit different. Um sometimes when we think
about alternative education at the high school um level, we think about, you know, like students who don't behave in class and some of those right types of students. Um this is actually not bad. uh this is an opportunity for any
student who doesn't necessarily learn well in just kind of a typical traditional school environment. Uh so what we have done is developed for next year uh first a we're going to start with grades 8 through 10. So we're actually going to have eighth graders at MHS all day. I know at one point they
were all there um and for two different programs next year. they will be the accelerated learner pathway which is for students who uh want to take at the middle school uh level high school classes for credit. Um so that's one group but the other group is this alternative um alternative program uh
path and so these are for students who are actually going to be learning uh in a very um kind of uh contentrich project-based learning model um that we want to start in eth grade. These are kids who again who are kind of disengaged from school, not necessarily
your traditional student. Uh it could be for any number of reasons. They don't have to be a student with special needs or anything of the sort. It could be, but it doesn't have to be. Um and so our goal is to keep those students engaged in their learning through a different uh type of instruction. So in this case,
it's project-based learning. The reason that I mentioned uh that we're starting early is because as eighth graders, they too will be taking freshman courses so that when they are juniors um they actually can work. So we can create a work study program where they can leave
MHS after a certain time of day and go to a uh approved certified work study uh site and earn credits while they're working. This came uh about directly from talking with kids and asking our students why uh they were not engaged in
school. What we heard was two things uh that I think are important to mention. The first is they need to work to help their families. Right? So we have all kinds of reasons why we think kids don't come to school and a lot of that's not true. Uh what we learned is it's because they need to help their families. Um and
uh the other piece is they see their families, their parent or guardian as their champion and they want to be as helpful to that individual as possible. That bust the myth of these parents don't care. That's not true. They do care. And so what we felt it was
incumbent upon us was to create a structure for those students because those students matter too and we can't just throw them away. And so that's where the development and the design of that program came from. >> Okay. And they got a high school diploma, not a ge. >> They get a high school diploma at the end. Yes, sir. Yep.
>> Okay. Great. Thank you for the clarification. >> Did you say I'll go to council or >> Okay. Well, I was just going to reference what council president was just saying. Thank you for adding the buses. If I didn't add, I went on a tangent. My children benefited from the
music program. I might have gone on a tangent. I wanted to offer that. I want to thank your entire staff and the school committee. And last but not least, by any means, the team effort of our city to keep our sidewalk safe during those tough winter storms. So, I
want to thank the DPW as well, but it's good to hear you're getting additional buses. Thank you, Mr. Chair. >> Thank you, Council. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. um that last program you're talking about with counselor Det sounds like an amazing amazing program and thank you so much for reaching out to students because
they're the ones that are going to be taking these programs. So that's that's great insight there. Um what I wanted to get back to was the um the kind of intense shift in demographics that we're seeing in the school district um and what that means in terms of budgeting
now and budgeting for the future. Um, is is there like new programs that you guys have in in the works for for this larger population? I see it's 58% um Hispanic uh Latino students versus 30 um and 20 years ago was 17%. So that's it's a
giant shift. Um can you expand on what kind of programs what kind of um uh you know educational um um you know guidance you guys will have for the for those students? >> Yeah. So I think there's a couple of things. uh one of the kind of the
hallmarks to the leadership team that's doing all of this work is really about um that all means all mindset and looking to see how do we create the right programs and supports for all students. So um I think one of the most
important demographics uh are is the fact 60% of our students are multilingual right like that is that's a tremendous number and I also think that is a huge uh benefit and so um I think
we will be moving forward looking at things like potential dual language programs and really doing some analysis and studying of what that could mean for us here in Malber. I think that's an important piece. Um, the other thing that we're spending a lot of time talking to our older students about as
we think about the college and career readiness work, uh, what does career readiness actually mean? Uh, I know we mentioned Asabet, uh, would never speak for them. Um, but we are looking to become partners with the other schools
across our city and thinking about how we can really leverage the strengths of one another to help better meet the needs of all of our Malboro students. Uh and so one of those is a partnership grant that we are going to be pursuing with the department of education uh through developing almost like a dual
enrollment MHS aset partnership where our uh juniors and seniors would be able to do their academics uh at MHS and if approved potentially take a shop or a program for a certification at Asabet through state funding and federal
funding. So nothing as far as local um but so looking at how we can be more innovative and creative with the resources that we have um and really leveraging our colleagues as partners. So those are just a couple of things that we're thinking about as we're looking ahead. >> Awesome. I appreciate that answer. um
you know, as someone who fits this demographic and someone that comes from um an ESL class and coursework, um it it really means a lot that you are focusing on these students and and kind of directing them in different ways that that isn't traditional education as
well. So, thank you so much. >> Thank you, councelor Preciato. Motion's been made and seconded to approve the school budget as submitted. >> So, if I could just add something. So, obviously last year was very difficult during the budget process. Um, but I just want to give a shout out to the school committee members. Um, not only
were we going through the budget process, but we had two finalists that came before us for the superintendent and we actually did not move them forward and then we started the process all over again, which was an incredible risk with a very small window of time to hire someone to come on board. So, I
just want to recognize how important that was and the deadline and obviously the risk was a huge reward because we were able to get the superintendent Falco and obviously the proof is in the pudding with this budget cycle and everything that he's done. So, I just wanted to thank the school committee
members for that because again it was a huge risk and and thankfully we we hit hit a home run with that one. So, um thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. and thank you for highlighting that highlighting that because I think uh the sentiment of the full council is absolutely what you just said. So, thank you
>> and I don't know where we would be at with the two other two candidates, you know, so it wouldn't be here. I can guarantee you that. So, I'm just forever thankful that we made that decision and it was not an easy decision to to do that, but obviously I'm very thankful to to the to the team here because um the
the amount of work and the the incredible kudos to the community regarding communication and how we're turning around the school and really looking at the data. uh you know a lot of mayors have to chair school committee and it will be judgingly do so but I'm
excited to see school committee and chair that because of the transformation that we're seeing and the work that we're doing or they're doing each and every day. So um I'm very proud of that. So, thank you to the school committee for what they do and and thank you for all of you for recognizing that as well because again, I know council Ormes is
our schools are vital and they're heart of of the city and it impacts a lot of different things throughout the city and to have these two individuals at the helm and the extremely wonderful leadership team throughout it's it's just refreshing to Mr. President's comment. So, thank you.
>> Absolutely. Thank you so much, Mr. Mayor. Motion's made and seconded to approve the school department. All in favor? One, two, three, four, five. It carries. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you, Mr. Super. Thank you, director.
Done. >> All right. So, moving on, I will go to the highlight in green and we will bring up the police chief for the police 2027 budget and that is on page 55.
Good evening, Chief Georgie. >> Good evening, sir. How are you? >> Good. >> I don't know. >> I don't know if you wish to do any highlights on your budget or we can just go in for any questions, but I'll leave that up to you. >> Uh, no. I just um the majority of our
any increases we have as you can see in my analysis report is that it's uh contractual just with the three different unions that we have the the patrol the command and the MMEA. Um we do have some slight reductions in some accounts which we were able to work
with the uh comprollers's office and the mayor's office to to bring those about but um again we we are fully staffed at this point so we're in good shape there. Um, Deputy Chief Campbell is doing well. He unfortunately couldn't be here tonight. He had a family commitment that
he >> Hard to believe that was last year that we put that in and thank you very much. >> Right. So, that's that's worked well. So, we don't have any big ass this year. So, >> was and a full commitment by the city council last year in the budget. So, thank you to the mayor as well and you presenting to the uh council like having
that um and we certainly appreciate that. Um, I will open that to any council. Motion to approve the budget for discussion. I have a couple questions by a motion to approve the budget. >> Motion has been made um to approve the police department budget as submitted.
Do I have a second on that? >> Second mo. Motion's been made and seconded to approve the police department budget for FY2027. Any further discussion? Council Vital. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh
there's a few items here that I think that we we should have a uh some understanding about. Uh the first one is line five uh 51320, which is the court overtime. As of
April, um this this line item was at 50%. Um I would make the recommendation to to reduce it by $20,000. Now the motion has been made to >> to approve it in general. Yep. >> Mr. President, the motion has been made to sec and second it to approve it as
submitted. >> So now he's got to make a motion to amend the >> Thank you. So council vital, you would have to make a motion to amend. Thank you, President Oi. >> Thank you. I'd like to make an a motion to amend the motion um to reduce line
item 51320 by $20,000 and line 50566 by $5,000. >> Okay. So, so mo motion has been made. the court overtime as of right now, just
so folks know, as of the end of April, they were at 50% um you use. So, I I make the recommendation to reduce that line item by $20,000. And then in 55 566 which is on the on page
57 um that line item again was also at 50 the parking enforcement officer was at 50%. So I I want 50% at the end of April. So I wanted to reduce that line item by $5,000 as well.
>> Okay. So and that was line item 50566 and item 51320. Motion was ma made by council vital for the reduction on 51320 and line item 50566.
Do we is there a second? You got >> council patel. >> Um Mr. Sure. Discussion. Am I allowed to do disc? Sorry. Point of information. Can I discussion before there's a second? >> Second it. >> Okay. I will second it for >> motion's made and second it.
>> Thank you. Council >> council. >> Thank you Mr. Chair. A couple of questions here. A couple points. Chief, thank you for being here. Um I uh councelor Vital overtime, right? Court time was one that I had looked at. I know we did last year. Um made a
reduction to that. Um I think trying to see it was uh 146 reduced down to 126 so $20,000 reduction. It seems like things are going well like councelor Vital mentioned right under 50% utilized. So um yeah just wanted to touch base. >> No I mean I think that's I think that's
fair. That's a fair adjustment. I mean I think as president Austin had mentioned earlier the internal transfers that we do occasionally use will allow us to move money if we had to if something came up in that account. So >> Sure. And then just one quick question. Right. parking enforcement. We are 50%
utilized year to date. Is there a reason why? It's just a >> it's just a it's a part-time position and it's very hard to fill. I mean, the person we've had doing it now is only able to be here two to three days a week. So, um it's hard, >> right? And if if there was something to
change, right, we'd Yes, sir. >> Okay. Sounds good. U Thank you, Mr. Chair. >> Thank you, Councilor Fill. So motion's been made and seconded to reduce line item 51320 by oh sorry President Aussie. >> Thank you Mr. Chair. So just to follow
on what Chief Georgie said. So you know it's court cases and when they send the officers to court and we just haven't done it a lot and I don't know if it's a function of the courts or or or what but you know just to put it in perspective last year fiscal year 25 we transferred
out $61,000. We spent 71 and we turned over 13,000 at the end of the year. This year we've already transferred out 18. As the chief mentioned, they, you know, there's underrun so they use it to fill other things. We spent 54 and 54,000
still remain. So we're just not spending it at that level and so I would say the adjustment seems to be adequate. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. >> And if I may ask, Mr. President, I know uh because I was looking at the same time for the overtime court. Um your
opinion on the parking enforcement officer that >> Well, I'd like to have it filled fulltime. I mean, but if if he doesn't believe me, >> if the chief needs more money, he's going to move money around to fill it. I mean, that's >> No, it's not a it's not a money thing
with that position. It's it's just filling the position doing it. >> Oh, thank you, Chief. Thank you, Mr. So, council vital again, uh, you wanted to reduce the parking enforcement officer's job by 5,000. >> Yes, Mr. Chair. >> And the overtime court by 10,000. >> By 20,000.
>> Oh, but I'm sorry. I apologize. By 20,000. >> So, motion has been made and seconded to >> amend >> amend uh amend the uh >> first you got to approve the amendment. >> Excuse me. Can I get a clarification on what we're amending?
>> They approve the budget >> as submitted. >> As submitted. >> Who approve No one approved it yet. I motion to approve for discussion. >> I haven't had my chance to discuss yet. I >> It was a motion. >> Motion to approve the police budget and
I even noted doing it for discussion >> and it was seconded and that was seconded. So we need discussion before I hasn't been voted on. >> I'm sorry. So it had Thank you. Thank you. Thank So motion has been made and seconded. It hasn't been voted on. >> That's correct. And then uh council
vital made an a amendment to have us do a reduction that was seconded. I will take a vote on the amendment. >> So motion by council vital was to amend um and have the reduction in light on 51320.
>> So can you just make it be he made a motion to >> he made a motion. >> It's not to line items. He's not amending anything at this point. >> Council vital made a motion to make a reduction. Correct. >> In the Thank you. Thank you, Vro. In the line item 51320
by 20,000 and line item 50566 by 5,000. Is there a second on that? I I motion made and seconded on the uh on the reduction. Any further discussion
>> on the amendment? And I amen. >> After a full year of dealing with businesses on this main street, I would hope we get and the chief knows about it. I would hope we get to a full-time parking enforcement agent, but
as noted, if you can move money around, so be it. But I'm hoping we don't lose the opportunity for our businesses to be treated with appropriate parking en reinforcement. >> No, that's correct, sir. I mean, I think our additional traffic unit has also
helped with that. We have two other officers now and and one of them starts at 6:00 a.m., so they're there early and the other one comes in the afternoon. So, they've helped out with that situation. >> Thank you, Miss Chief. And what you said, I'm comfortable with the motion as long as if we lose touch with parking
enforcement, I would be asking that you get a full-time person. Yes, sir. >> Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. >> Thank you, council, for that. So motion has been made and seconded for a reduction on the line item 51320 by 20,000 and line item 50566
by 5,000. All all in favor one two three four five that carries. Now I'll entertain a motion uh council >> on that motion if I may. I was hoping to discuss but I didn't want to interfere with the
>> uh I just have a couple questions, Chief. >> Yes, sir. >> Your microphone. >> Guess my voice carries more than I thought. Thank you. Uh, Chief, I have a couple questions and thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, the contracts for the animal control officer and the laundry, have
those been determined yet? >> No, the uh we're working with procurement right now to finish those up, but um so the bids have gone out or or the bids have come in actually, I should say. And so that time has elapsed. We're just working with um Christa to work through the uh
developing the contracts for each. >> We expecting any alarming increases on those? >> No. Thank you. No. >> And the only other question I have, I was confused by your yellow highlight on dispatches. It says contractual percent raise, younger dispatches at lower
salary steps, but I see a 17% increase. So, I was just trying to balance those two out to see why we see a 17% increase, but we have younger employees. I'll let you explain. >> Yeah, the hourly rate was increased during the last bargaining agreement.
>> So, even with the younger employees, we still need that increase. Yes. >> Okay. That that satisfies my question. Thank you, Mr. Chair. >> Thank you, councilor. If no further, Council Fel. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, I would like to move to approve the police department
budget uh with the reductions in the amount of 10,297,659. >> Thank you, Council Jill. Motion's been made and seconded to approve the police department budget as amended in the amount of 10,297,659. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all
in favor? One, two, three, four, five. That carries. Thank you, Chief Georgie. >> Thank you, sir. >> Thank you, Chief. Thank you, Chief. >> Thank you. >> Next up is the fire department budget on
page 59. Oh, >> yeah. Good evening, Chief George Chief uh Chief Grogan >> with your first budget for us. Mr. Chair, what page? >> Good evening. >> Good evening. Good evening, Chief. Uh,
if you want to do a little summary on your budget. >> Yeah. Um, just get my notes out here real quick. Um, so this past year, I mean, we've had our our busiest year that we've ever had. We responded to 9,240 emergency calls last year. Yeah.
>> So, as our our city continues to grow, um, so does our call volume. So, um you know, with that being said, um we we did the best we could with our budget, uh being conservative, um
although it does show an 11.9% increase. Um we only asked for an increase in four non-contractual line items. >> Yeah. >> Uh everything else is is related to the collective bargaining agreement and um >> Yeah. >> And and and we supported for the
increase for the assistant chiefs. I'm sorry. >> And we support it for the increase in your budget because we uh approved the assistant chief positions for those >> and those positions will be going forward on July 1. >> I mean, I'll open it to the finance team. Um I'm I do have a question. Everything's well with the new equipment
that's going forward with the department. >> Well, yeah, you'll see increases in uh that was some of the things we we did ask for an increase. Uh repair and maintenance of uh >> Yes. >> our aging equipment. Our CBAs are getting to be 10 years old. um our our our apparatus. We do have
some new ones, but uh we've had a rough couple years and and council or talked about it earlier how uh there's increases in um we see the increase in bills and and we see it too. So that's why we we asked for those 10% increases and um you know we do have some some
aging equipment and uh you know the thank god the route 20 construction project is over because that that beat our trucks up and we're up and down that road every day and uh and it adds up. So um you know those uh those those are the increases you see. So um but yeah, we do
have some you know the prospect of a new station coming. Um, we're going to need new apparatus. Um, and those are discussions yet to be had, but um, you know, we will be asking for more equipment coming up and it's, uh,
>> thank you, Chief. Go ahead. >> Council Orm. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. A very important note. I notice second to last paragraph. Without a corresponding increase to the department's overtime budget, it's not sustainable. So, if you could reference that.
>> Yeah. So, I mean, um, >> that was that 16 person minimum shift, >> right? Obviously, our goal is to increase our staffing, and we all know, we've been talking about it for a long time, the uh response times in the in the west part of the city. Um, anytime,
um, you know, we've done everything we can internally to improve our response times. Um, but we can't change a station location. We can't change the amount of people we have on staff. uh without the support of the council
and the city. So, you know, um our um you know, we do the best we can to limit to reduce our overtime and um it's we we have the capability to respond to an incident, but it's our it's our
capacity. 80% of the time we're engaged in more than one call. And when you're engaged in more than one call on the west side of the town, now you're you're pulling your resources from the center of the town. So without an increase in staffing and a reallocation of resources, it's hard for us to improve
um you know, uh reducing our response times and that's what the goal is. you know, uh we're not meeting standards 495 and west and that's where the growth of the city is and um you know as as the city grows so does our call volume and you know our department uh has struggled
to keep up with that. So um >> well understandable you know 42% increase in emergency incidents in 11 years. 42% increase. >> That's amazing. That's >> and it you know I say 80% of the time we're engaged in more than two calls. I
think 50% of the time we're engaged in three or more. So it's it's hard. You know it's it's uh you know we're being asked to do more with less and we're doing what we can. >> And I just have a couple other questions if I may, Mr. Chair. Just have a couple
more. It's on the allege increases under hazmat pay. It went up 83%. >> Uh what brought that up so much? The hazmat pay. No item. >> So those were all contractual and again those were three years worth of cost of living raises right after last year's
budget was set. >> Uh the CBA was so we're actually seeing three years worth. Right. So there was there were incentives that were increased. Uh, and that's where that so you had the increases plus you had the retro.
>> That's it. Just explains it better. I just when you see those large numbers, the fire department re first responder was 63%. That's a little bit above it. 51226. >> Yep. Again, contractual increase from >> Thank you. No, understandable. And I
mentioned earlier about education incentives, too. That definitely benefits everyone. and and our our problem that we're running into now is not I wouldn't call it a problem a benefit is that it's free >> and one other question that's it where do we stand on the assistant chief of
operations being filled is that >> uh we're starting the interview process and uh our goal is to have that filled July 1st and there'll be a slew of promotions hopefully right behind that. >> Great. Thank you. Thank you Mr. Chair. Any further discussion?
>> Motion to Oh, sorry. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'd like to make a motion to accept um the fire budget with the following reductions. 51328 call fire overtime. I'd like it to be reduced by $25,000.
>> Okay. >> 25,000. >> Mo motion has been made >> and >> Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. uh 51980 um is as of at the end of April was at 43%. I'd like to reduce that by $2,000.
>> And that was what was line item council vital >> 51980. >> The licensing and permit fees. >> Yes. >> So for a total reduction of $27,000. Motion has been made uh to reduce line item 51328
by 25,000 and to reduce line item 51980 by 7,000. >> 2,000 >> by by 2,000. Jeez. Do I have a second on that?
Motions seconded. Motion's made and seconded. Any further discussion? Council Fill. >> Thank you, Mr. share. Um, seconded for the sake of discussion, I I do want to talk a little bit more about the call overtime. Um, and then happy to talk a
little bit about that $2,000 reduction, but but most importantly looking at um, item 51328, right? Call fire overtime. I appreciated the explanation, chief, and appreciate you being down here. Um, regarding right, the formal establishment of a training officer. I guess my my concern with this is just in
fiscal year 2025 we only expended 56% of that account of qualifier overtime and I know you'd said you know right you're trying to be you know reserved and how you're spending that but we're only 70% expended year to date right now. So could you just walk me through a little bit about why there's a need for an
increase for this training position? seems like we're okay right now and seems like there's money to move around to to continue. >> The call fire overtime account is used for when we have large incidents. >> Okay. >> Whether it's recalls or we're going to, you know, we may have an incident in town, a fire, we'll recall the
department or if we're going uh out of town, mutual aid, and we do a lot of that. So, that account is is hard to predict. you know, we could have a an incident tomorrow and and we could spend it all or could, you know, a couple years ago, we had a brush fire that went
on for a long period of time. So, that's where that's from. The increase in that was to support the position of the training officer. In 2014, when they did the MRI report, one of the critical areas of deficiency was the lack of consistent training across the
department. That's what that increase is for. It's for the training officer position, not for the call fire. That was where um we identified to add it to that account, but again, it's for the training officer position and not the call fire position. You know, that's
what it's for. Um consistent training across all four battalions. Most departments our size have full-time training divisions. Um and and again allowing us, you know, the busier we
get, the harder it is to train on duty. When I first started, we had plenty of time to to do training during the day. Now it's harder and harder to do it because we're doing 30 35 calls a day, and it's that's what that training officer position was, uh is to move on
the recommendations that 2014 uh deficiency. >> Thank you, Chief. And so was there ever a training somebody just dedicated to training within the the department budget at any time in in the city's history before this? Is >> no. >> No. Okay. >> That that would usually fall on an assistant chief. >> Okay.
>> And again, um it just keeps it consistent across all four batties to have one plus rate position doing that. Um >> Okay. >> Yeah. Just just again just trying to understand. I mean I have to be honest. I'm not thrilled about it living in the
overtime account, right? I would much rather I'm not sure how we could get creative about doing this outside of it. Has there been discussion about that or I'm I I don't know if you create a line item for it. >> Okay. >> I appreciate how you do that. Sure. But uh 25,000 was it was based on the on the
year um um 12 hours per month >> um by the training officer. So again, it's it's a position where we're we're busy enough. Departments our size have full-time divisions. Uh we're just asking for a uh
an addition to that account to fund that position. >> Thank you, Chief. And thank Mr. President. President, >> thank you, Mr. Chair. So, Chief, I'd counter that. So, the funds haven't been spent this year. They weren't spent last year by $45,000.
The year before that, they weren't spent by $35,000. In the year before that in fiscal year 23, they weren't spent by $34,000. So to ask for $36,000 additionally when you're not spending what you have, I don't think is fair. My theory is try it
this year without that. Take the you'll get a $6,000 increase. You're still not spending the money and you can do exactly what you said within the current budget. Just you you can't it's it's either call fire overtime or training. It's just
just to say I'm going to use some of it for training. It's qualifier overtime as the account and you're not spending it and that's where you want to use it. So my recommendation is spend what you got. You can do it currently. You could do with what your spend rate right now. You could do whatever whoever's going to do
that training. You could do it right now with the funds you got and not impact the budget because you're not spending the money. It's not you but the department's not spending the money. So, I have a hard time going to look in the taxpayer and say, I'm going to put more money into account that I'm not currently spending
and I haven't spent for the last four years to do this training activity where you can do it right now. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Austin, councelor Ro.
>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um I I think we had this discussion last year when we reduced this and I think it was specifically reducing the position. So I'm kind of in agreement with councelor Fillo. I think we need the position. It's time to do it. But I agree that
it's confusing having it in an overtime line. I don't know how we add a line to the budget. We're not really adding money because we would take it from this line. I would assume and then reduce that line by more
if that's somebody's decision. So can we can we codify the position in the budget somewhere? >> That's what I that's my concern. If I go and spend $25,000 on a training officer out of that account and then
we have multiple incidents and we're out of money and I'm coming back and asking for more money because I spent the money on something that wasn't funded, >> we would give you the more money because we've cut it and you haven't spent it. >> If you're telling me to spend the the money on training, I can do that tomorrow.
>> So So no, we're not telling you to do that. No, I mean, so we've never never not given you the money the fire department asked. So So I'm I'm It's really clear you're not spending what you have now. So I can't give you I at least from my perspective giving you
addition asking for a $36,000 increase when you've underrun it by at least $36,000 for the last four consecutive years. Doesn't make sense. You could do that training with what you have right now. My recommendation, try it this year and
see if it works with a $25,000 reduction, which is still a $6,000 increase in the line item. And if it doesn't work, >> come on down. >> As long as what councelor Roi just said that that you're you're >> we understand >> you're supporting the position
>> the position. And if you need to >> I am not I'll speak for I'm not supporting a position that's not in the budget. This budget is only eliminates one position. To me, it's not a position. It's an activity that you want to have someone do in the fire
department. Fine. That's great. >> So the answer is yes. As long as the position >> So if you can do it and you still need to come back to us for more money, I think we would agree in the end that you would get more money and then we can see
next year whether it needs to be codified as a real position. But I I guess I'm disagreeing with councelor Rossing. I want to see that position kept. Just because we're reducing the
line item doesn't mean that you shouldn't still do what you want to do as the chief and the department head and >> well it's technically not a position. >> Madam chair um Mr. So we don't he spends the money how he wants. He can tell us it's for training and use it for
something else tomorrow. We don't have any say in that. Once we approve the dollars, the chief then gets to spend it. It can all look nice in the pretty folder that says I'm going to spend it this way, but it doesn't mean it's going to happen. Let me remind you, we are $2 million under in salary when we start
fiscal year 27. There is plenty of money to move around. The fire department will not fall apart. He's got the money in the budget to do that position if he wants to. All right. The money's there. We're not spending it. Go look at your constituents and tell them why it's okay to overfund a position that I haven't
spent in the last four years. >> I don't know how you do that. >> Mr. Chair, >> I'm going to go to councelor Ducet. >> Sorry. I >> thank Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Um I I just want some clarification. What's going on uh with this? Do you need to
hire someone to do this type or is it someone from internal doing the training? We have qualified candidates in the department that would >> So it's just putting time aside for them to do. >> It's paid as a plus rate position. It's overtime 12 hours per month. >> Y >> for 12 months out of the year. >> Okay. >> That's how we calculated that figure.
>> Okay. Okay. But >> it's not it's not hiring somebody else members >> overtime activity >> which this department always does a lot of. So yeah. Okay. Thank you for the clarification. I do appreciate that. So thank you. >> I think as what was said you can run with it. What they got. Thank Thank you,
Council. So, motion has been made and seconded to reduce line item 51328 by $25,000 and line item 51980 by $2,000. All in favor?
One, two, three, four. All opposed? One. It carries. I will entertain a motion. I think it's that >> Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, >> I think it's ask the city auditor 10,94,931.
>> 931. That's what I have. Mr. President, >> Mr. Chair, >> council for chill. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh move to approve the fire department budget in the total of 10,94,931 as reduced by council vital. >> Thank you, council. Motion's been made
and seconded to uh uh approve the fire department budget as amended with the reductions with a total of 10,94,931. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? One, two, three, four, five. That carries.
Thank you, Chief Go. Thank you so much, sir. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Chief. >> Okay, now moving on. Uh we will now begin with the DPW
and we'll start on um page number 4. >> 4 Z. >> Mr. Chairman, do we take an intermission at all? Just for five minutes. >> Well, what we could do, I think uh Commissioner Scott was going to give us
a little summary if you want to take a little bit. >> Oh, sure. I mean, we were on a roll, but Okay. >> Stand up. >> Okay. So, thank you, Council. >> Good evening, Commissioner Scott. Thank you. And I know you wish to give a
summary on your department. >> Sure. Um just a quick uh like if you've seen in the uh supplemental budget, uh the salaries uh salary items are contractual. There's some um big uh
bigger items, MWA, water, um the electricity and and gas, and then the um the trash and recycling. Uh just to hone in on this, this is large this year because the contract started last
July 1st when by the time the budget came down, we did not have the negotiation with them finalized. So we put some money in there. It wasn't enough. So what's happened is the the trash and recycling it's all kind of cyclical. We happen to have a good deal
here and then in five year it gets adjusted. That was our adjustment. Um it got adjusted. Um, and if you saw our midyear transfer, I had to transfer $300,000 to it to and that is tracking now that that's going to that's going to
work for the end of we just got our April um bill. So that's going to work. Uh so this adjusts it for last year and gets it on track for next fiscal year. After that the increase will be so MSW
will increase um a little more like 6% recyc because you have the the curbside cost went up plus the tipping fee >> on recycling side the tipping for recycling or the cost of recycling uh is stayed at $95 a ton. That hasn't
changed. Uh several years ago it went from zero and then kept creeping up over the year to 95 a ton. That stayed steady now. The only thing that's happened in recycling is the collection rate has gone up. So going forward the the
recycling will be going up roughly 4% say and and trash like may you know 6% once this is adjustments done this year. So it's together it's about a five and a half% going forward. So and we have that
for five years now. Um so there was a little pain to get that adjusted. We were we were riding high in a low tipping fee. Now our tipping fee is up towards the top where other communities are, but we've got that for at a nice predictable rate for five years now. So
we can I can certainly rest easy. But uh so to give that clarification um and uh just to let you know, not that it but um the fuel uh increase I'm going to be asking for a year end transfer of
$50,000. Diesel has gone up 60%, gas has gone up 50%. So, if that was to remain in the budget with those rates, that would be a $200,000 increase to those line items to that line item uh next year. Just to
keep that in mind. As far as the open positions go, um we've we've made a real concerted effort and and um a lot of my time has been taken um doing interviews, especially for the general foreman positions that are extremely critical.
Those are like hour and a half, two hour interviews. We're really we're really uh trying to get the right candidates internal and external interviews on that. Um we put out a lot of offers some which is interesting at the even the equipment operator they're leveraging
our offer. So it looks like towns are now starting to step up to after we after they sign the offer. We've had four of them. They go back and leverage that and and then stay where they are. So, we've been making an exhaustive effort to try to
fill these positions. I would say by the beginning of the um fiscal year. We project that we'll be in maybe five openings by then and we're going to keep at it. Uh we do we've had a lot of um um positions being left by retirement and
other means. Uh nine since the January 1st. Uh so it's kind of an attrition thing. We have one more retirement we know of. uh Joe Letham at the drop off center. He will be sorely missed down there. Um he's one of the factors him
and Gary Akre to make that drop off center what it is today. He'll be retiring in uh June. So he's pretty much the only one we know is will be leaving in the near future. So uh just to give you a little update on that and if you have any questions, I'd be happy to
>> Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner. Um I will open it up to the finance team. We we are on um as a reminder we're on page 40 uh property and building maintenance. Any discussion? Councelor Villa. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Commissioner
Scott, thank you for uh the the presentation. Appreciate the overview of the department. I know we've had uh plenty of opportunities to work together over the year. Sure. >> I've been very grateful for the work that you guys have done. Um >> it's a team. >> Absolutely. Absolutely. I know. Uh um just talking with the conservation
officer, some other folks in the city, right? making a concerted effort to, you know, electricity savings, natural gas savings. I know we made some upgrades to the high school. Um, you know, we're doing additional upgrades in the next year to the heat pumps at police and fire. Is that correct? >> Mhm. >> Okay. So, I know, uh, you know, the goal
is to decrease usage. We can't predict rates, but with that being said, right at the beginning of the budget hearing, we had this conversation about where can we find, you know, some measurable reductions. And so, again, right, electricity, natural gas, these are projections. We can move money around. Um, and with that, I I would support
reducing the electricity account 52120 by $100,000 and natural gas 522000 um by $10,000. So, a total um reduction of $110,000 motion >> to the property and building maintenance.
>> Thank you, Council Patel. Motion has been made and I will second that to reduce uh line item 52120 by $100,000 and to reduce line item 522000 by $10,000. Any further discussion?
>> Seeing none, all in favor oh councel. >> Sorry, don't give me a chance. Um yeah, I've been there before reducing those budget line items. I have a feeling and again it was to make sure we continue with conservation measures and the building department explained some of
the work being done. Um I just don't see that going down. But if you have to come back to us, you do. I can't support it knowing the cost of fuel. We see it at our own homes. I mentioned that already. If you haven't seen an increase in your electric or gas bill, then you don't
have the gas and electric I'm getting. And and diesel fuel you just brought up. I heard that too. I can't support that knowing what's happening. We're not being realistic with the real world right now. Thank you, Mr. Chair. >> Council, Mr. Chair, >> President Oi, >> I'll yield to Council Ducet.
>> Oh, Council Ducet. Thank you, M. >> Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Uh, just a couple of things. Um, you know, there's always there's been constant work trying to get solar panels onto the schools and public buildings. Considering the issues we have, you
know, with the cost of electricity, the more panels we get deployed, you know, what about, you know, putting solar panels on landfills, you know, or something like that? Is you guys looking into that at all? Uh, as uh, you know, the more energy we can generate, the
less energy we need to buy, you know, at the end of the day. >> Yeah. >> So, um, is there any plans or anything looking forward to that? >> Not. Um, and we're always looking at at buildings. So like the new richest school will will have that. >> Mhm. >> The good now had it. We put them on the
existing schools. Whenever it's practical, we'll keep looking at it. The deals aren't as good as they were before. We uh we have um direct meeting on several of the schools. We also have um um solar agreements for for uh solar
down in Texas. Uh so we're always looking at that. Yes. Um, and we're making sure that certainly the new buildings that go in leverage as much energy savings as they can. >> As far as landfills, you got the Hudson Street that that's a that's a open space
area there. The side that >> um is open is north facing going down. So the other landfill at the um east plant >> we could look at but we we'd have to investigate uh I would say more things with the
landfill before we go down that >> okay but >> okay thank you >> there you counci >> thank you Mr. chair had the my math is right 15 open positions if I counted all the ones that
are in it on the sheet. So I just did the simple math put the salary ordinance to each one. So so I come up to about $1.1 million of open positions in the in the DPW. I encourage I we have this discussion every year. I want you to fill them as
soon as you can. And I recognize the hard time you have filling them. But again, I to council or we move money around and it's through the under utilization of salary. So to tell people we're going to go, you know, no one wants to cut a position,
but this is the easiest way to do it. Take a little out of gas, a little out of electricity in both accounts and we move money around. Look at what I sent you this mo today on your desk and look at how we did this year. We covered it all and the world's still turning and we're still $1.1 million under in
salary. It's going to be this I'm going to have the same conversation with you a year from now. All right. So, so to sit there and say I can't because it's getting expensive. We're going entering a new contract for electricity. Correct. >> Nope. >> Don't we Doesn't that start in December
the electricity? >> Oh, yes. Where? That is when the new contract starts. Correct. >> Is the rate higher or lower than the current one? >> Lower. >> I'm trying to appease the counselor over here that the world will not come to an end.
>> So >> that's the supply side. So >> yeah, >> who knows what's going to happen on the >> these reductions are minimal, >> Mr. share and more in line what we've done in the last three years and super the commissioner moves money
around from underspent accounts to cover any overage and it's okay the world is okay so I support these two reductions as well >> thank you president motion >> Mr. Chair >> councelor >> the 15 positions and I agree with
councelor Austin we don't want to be cutting positions what's the um effect on your department and when do you expect to have those 15 positions filled >> the most the the ones with the highest salaries the general foreman will be filled def definitely we're just at the
end of the final general foreman uh there'll be awful that is going out soon on those those will be filled by the by the beginning of the fiscal Here we have some foreman um openings. A lot of them will be filled. We're actively trying to
fill these. Uh so I project there'll be five openings by then and we'll keep going at it. But we'll we'll see how it goes. The general fund will definitely be filled. >> What's the effect of what's the effect of the taxpayers not having these 15 positions filled >> as a taxpayer?
>> As I'm not >> as a resident, what's the effect? Is DPW having to backlog some work? That's what I'm curious about. >> Yeah, we just like we do every we we we put more overtime. Sometimes we contract things. Sometimes we rep prioritize projects. And again, if if you look at
DPW, it's a very dynamic. So, you know, we just lost a pump at the Maple Street pump station, uh, sewer pump station. That stuff happens right up to the end of the fiscal year. So, we adjust to it. We It depends what kind of year. Look at snow and ice. you got
>> now we're up in the $3.2 million range. We adjust. >> So if that was in our budget, we'd adjust and and and rep prioritize something else. So >> and and again the question I have is what I mentioned. We know maybe electricity may go down a little bit but
not that's the supply side. How about gas? >> Natural gas gone up by somewhere probably 9 10%. I'm just trying to be realistic on this floor here. You know, it's not all about me, Councelor Rossing. It's about being
realistic. And I know sometimes it looks good to say, "Hey, I lowered this." But I would say to the DPW and all the departments, key factor here, we may see you in the middle of the year if we're trying to cut your budget now and then you need
that money later. And I have a feeling, especially with energy cost, we're going to be seeing you again if if that's going to overrun the budget. And and it's ridiculous, not just this city, how we budget snow and ice. It's ridiculous. 4 million and we only budgeted a
million. We're not the only city that does that as town, but it's a ridiculous formula. It's just so you can pay me later. Well, let's be realistic about what we're doing now to our residents, to our taxpayers. Thank you, Mr. Mr. Chair. going to go to councelor
Presiato. >> Good afternoon. Uh I just had a quick question about um employee retention. So you have 14 vacancies right now. Are those new vacancies like throughout the last year or have they been ongoing? >> So there's been nine since January 1st.
>> Okay. And is there >> for various reasons? >> Okay. not um I'm hoping not salary um based or well >> potentially >> I don't think council n wants to hear but couple MW went couple went to MW so
>> Mr. chairman. >> Uh some have moved for opportunities. Okay. >> Uh we've had a good amount of retirements and there's other reasons too. >> All right. I was just curious about, you know, if if we as a city are competitive with our pay and and to to have such a big hole in our DPWs.
>> We had a point where we're trying to align that general form and that was an important thing. And then we had the we had the negotiations lagging so our rates weren't as high. So we're trying to attract >> on those key salaries that are two years. you have 6% less than you're
you're competing on others. So now we're up there. Now we're hitting it hard. We're advertising. We're spending the money to advertise on MMA and stuff and we're really hitting it hard now. So >> Okay. >> To add so the M >> and I want to add this. So thank you Mr.
Chair through you. Um we worked really hard with the commissioner worked really hard on the language with the collective bargaining um to ensure um the foreman and that role is so critical regarding seniority. Um so now that we have that language in there now it's um it will be
a waterfall effect because now that language is in there and that was our focus point is to get those key positions hired first and then so my goal is to get as many positions possibly filled now that with that correct language is is in the contract. >> Understood. Thank you so much for the
answer. >> Thank thank you Mr. Mayor. Councelor Ducet. >> Thank you very much Mr. Chair. Um I was just looking through the u the list. How many buildings have used heating oil still? >> Do you know like I don't you know this
is I'm just looking at it. It's still out there. Yeah. Are we >> I I would know. >> Okay. No, I was just curious. >> I don't think that I don't think that's many. >> Yeah, that's I'm curious which ones are still there because those would be identified the ones. >> I mean, you can look at the the budget.
It's not um that's a lot of that's for generators and stuff. If it's not I don't >> Well, it's heating oil, not diesel. >> Blank. >> Okay. Okay. I would The ones with the heating oil be the ones most likely to go for um heat pumps and stuff like that. So that uh I was just thinking as
a way to save money, you know, to address it that way. Um but uh you know, I think overall um you know, you guys definitely manage the situation as it is. So thank you. >> Thank you, Council Set. No further
discussion. Motion has been made and seconded to reduce line item 52120 by 100,000 and line item 522000 by $10,000. All in favor? One, two, three, four. All opposed. One. It
carries. Mr. Chair, Council Chillo. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Move to approve the property and building maintenance budget by uh with the reductions in the amount of $4,49,000 $385. Thank you, Council. Motion has been made and seconded to approve the
property and building maintenance budget uh with the reductions with a total amount uh for the budget of $4,49,385. All in favor? One, two, three, four, five. It carries. Moving on to page 67, uh which is the is
the maintenance of schools. Page 67. Mr. Chair, >> Council Vital approved with the following reductions. I'd like to um let me give some
background. First of all, 52120 and 52200 um is about 50% for for the year up through through April. Um just to let you know that's that's $1 million on the
budget that we are in that lineup. So with that being said, I'd like to make between whether it's 75 or 75,000 but $150,000 reduction um combining electricity and gas
>> a combin Okay, for electricity 52120 75,000 for gas 5220 >> okay motion has been made to reduce line on 52120
by 7 to 75,000 and to reduce line item 522000 by what number? >> 75,000 as well. >> 75,000. >> Oh, there would be a total of 150,000.
Do I have a second on that? >> Does not carry. I councelor Fillo. >> Mr. Chair. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, councelor Vital, I I I'm with you. You know, I do think we need to make reductions to electricity and natural
gas. Um, I would propose that we alter it just slightly, right? As you can see, um um uh Commissioner, I appreciate looking for a 10% increase into these two accounts. Um I think we should probably match what we did with the the maintenance of municipal buildings um
and other property uh just for the fact that right the natural gas account is looking for about a $54,000 increase from the last fiscal year. So $75,000 reduction in that account I fear is taking us back a little bit um compared to to where we are. So so in that case I
would move to reduce um the electricity account so 52120 by 100,000 introduce natural gas 522000 by 10,000 um for a grand total of 110,000. >> Thank you council patrol. Motion's been made and I will second that to reduce
line item 52120 uh by $100,000 and to reduce line item 522000 by $10,000. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? One, two, three3.
All opposed? One, two. It carries. No further discussion. I will entertain a motion. >> Mr. Chair, >> Council Fillo. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. If I could type a little bit faster. >> 3808. >> Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Move to
approve um the maintenance of schools budget as reduced to the total amount of 3,88,644. >> Thank you. Thank you, councelor. Motion was made and seconded to Oh, >> Diane, 264. >> Correct. That's correct.
>> Oh, I'm sorry, Trey. I thought that's what he said. >> I thought that's what he said, too. >> Sorry. >> 264. differently. I thought you twisted >> twist as I I think I heard what I wanted to hear. Me too.
>> Uh thank you. Motion's been made and seconded to approve the building maintenance school as amended with the amount of for the budget of 3,88,264. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? One, two, three, four, five,
eight carries. Moving on to DPW administration on page 79. >> This is administration. I have no questions on that. >> Chair Council Chillo. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, Commissioner Scott. I know um um just in working together in collaboration just
looking at these salaries. I have no no questions, no comments. Uh and with that move to approve the DPW administration budget as proposed to us. >> Motion has been made and seconded to approve the DPW administration budget as submitted. Any further discussion?
Seeing none, all in favor? One, two, three, four, five. That carries. Moving on to DPW engineering on page 81. >> Council vital. >> I'd like to approve the engine budget
for the following reductions. 51310 as of 51310. Overtime regular. It's at 47% in April. I'd like to reduce that by $2,000. And then I also on the following page,
environmental compliance, uh that's at 28% as of April. I like to also reduce that by $2,000 for a total reduction of DPW engineering of $4,000. >> And what line item was that? 47 51310
2000 and 578 >> 30 >> 30 >> I got the I got the 51310 overtime. >> Yep. And 57830. It's on the next page. Environmental compliance >> by >> that's another 2,000 for
>> by 2,000 >> for a total of $4,000 reduction. >> Thank you. Council vital. Motion has been made to reduce line item 51310 to $2,000. Reduced by $2,000 and line item 57830 to
reduce that by $2,000. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion's been made and seconded to reduce uh line item 51310 and to reduce 57830. Any further discussion? Councelor Fillo. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just wanted to to
highlight um good to catch this council vital right just $4,000 in grand total here but um in looking uh over at those accounts really quick bear with me I apologize um right seeing that we have underspent the temporary part-time help
um I I feel that the $2,000 will will not make a significant impact on services but just want to check with you commissioner um also you know right again >> right now we don't it's not filled >> okay okay Um and then just on that second note, um flipping over and
looking at the environmental, right, that account we've expended about $14,000 year to date, originally appropriated of $35,000. So we've only spent about 40,000 year to date. So um should there be a need, right? Happy to come back and have this conversation, but I think those are are two two good
small catches by council. Thank you, Mr. Chair. >> Thank you, Council Fel. Thank you, Council Bar. Very good catch. Motion has been made and seconded to reduce line item 51310 by $2,000 and line item 57830
by $2,000. All in favor, >> Mr. Chair, question. >> Question on those amendments just on the environmental compliance NPDES. >> Mhm. >> Why did you choose 35,000 if you're only at 14 and second? Are we mandated by the federal government to have that program
completed and will it cost 35,000? >> So the more >> yeah NIPDs uh that's that that fluctuates. So sometimes we do more sometimes less. So that's just a a line item that we have. >> So you won't be over any mandate that
will cause a lot >> 2000. We'll move the money around. >> That's all. Thank you. >> Thank you Mr. Chair. >> Thank you councelor. So motion has been made and seconded with the reductions uh are totaling 4,000 from the line items 57830 for $2,000 and line item 51310 for
$2,000. All in favor? 1 2 3 4 5 that carries. I will entertain a motion. 61 168 6 >> 694 >> a motion then a
>> okay motion has been made and second it to approve the engineering budget with the reductions for a total budget of 1 million68,694 any further discussion seeing none all in favor 1 2 3 4 5 Thank you council or
moving on to page 84 4 uh snow and ice. >> Snow and ice. I know uh council was vocal on this. >> Yeah, I've already had my say on it. >> That's it. >> I don't want to waste any more time with that. >> Mr. Chair,
>> councelor Vel. >> Thank you. Move to approve the snow and ice budget. >> Motion has been been made and seconded to approve the snow and ice bud budget as submitted. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? One, two,
three, four, five. That carries. Okay. Moving on to DPW streets on page 86. >> Mr. Chair, may >> council, >> may I ask the commissioner or question before I go ahead and make my motion? Thank you, Mr. Commissioner. One thing
that I am and my constituents would probably uh want to know as well is on line item 55400 sidewalk maintenance. >> Yep. >> We're at 48% at the end of April.
>> Right. So what happens? So these percentages are difficult to explain. Much like the electricity when it looks like that that when it went in in April that didn't have March's bill yet. So it's not like a instantaneous
percentage. The electricity and all that especially the supply those things lag quite a bit. >> And um in this one you have the winter so you're not doing anything there. So you have a ramp then it goes nothing then they ramp up again right now. So
that that percentage has already increased and that will increase towards the >> that's what I suspected but I just wanted to double check. Thank you commissioner. >> Thank you Mr. Chair. >> Thank you councel vital. >> Any further discussion >> motion to approve.
>> Council council. >> Oh I made the motion to approve but >> council or >> yes I made a motion to approve this budget but we can have further discussion. That was >> motion has been made. Is there a second to approve the streets budget? Second. >> Motion's been made and seconded to
approve the street budget as submitted. Any further discussion? Seeing none. >> All in favor? One, two, three, four. All opposed. One. That carries.
Moving on to page 89, which is the fleet. Mr. Chair, >> Council Fillo. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just a quick question, Commissioner. Um, just looking at um uh going down here to fleet
maintenance. Um, superintendent of automotive maintenance. Um, looking that's one of those positions we're looking to hire. Hopefully getting somebody on board. Okay. Um, aside from that, no questions um on this and we'll move to approve as presented. >> Motion's been made and seconded to
approve the DPW fleet maintenance as submitted. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all favor. One, two, three, four, five. That carries. Moving on to page 91.
Uh that is forestry forestry parks and cemetery. No further discussion. I will entertain a motion. >> Mr. Chair, >> Council Fillo. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. No comments or questions here. Move to approve the DPW forestry budget as presented.
>> Motion's been made and seconded to approve the DPW forestry uh budget as presented. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? One, two, three, four, five. That carries. Going on to page uh 94, which is solid
waste and recycling. Mr. Chair, >> council vital. >> Another com another question for the commissioner. Commissioner, is hazmat collection day is that yet to happen? >> The so the second one just happened. We're just starting to get the invoices now.
>> So, okay. So that it's at 50% at the end of April, but that's going to be >> that was the fall one and now we just got it. >> We just had the spring one. So that'll be the rest of >> Thank you, Commissioner. >> Yep. >> Thank you, Council Vital. >> No further discussion. I will entertain a motion.
>> Mr. Chair, >> Council Pillow. >> Move to approve as presented. >> Motion has been made and seconded to approve the solid waste and recycling uh budget as submitted. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? One, two, three, four, five. That
carries. Now moving on to sewer service fund on page 132. >> Mr. Chair, >> council for job. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just a quick question, Commissioner, just regarding um legal services. So, I noticed that
right they were not spent all that much in fiscal year 25. I I don't believe we've expended anything up to this point um this fiscal year. Is this more of a safety net in case something happens or what's >> Well, you'll be seeing at the end of the year transfer that will be paying for the pump street uh sewer pump station.
>> I'm sorry I asked. No, I'm kidding. I appreciate >> it's actually 48 that happens to match. 48,000 I think is the quote. >> Not too bad. Well, no. Other than that, no questions. No questions. Any further discussion? Seeing none, I will entertain a motion.
>> Motion to approve. >> Motion has been made and seconded to approve the sewer service fund as submitted. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? One, two, three, four, five. It carries. Moving on to the sewer east on page 135.
Mr. Chair, >> Councelor Fillo. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, no questions on this one. And with that, move to approve the East Wastewater Treatment Plant budget as submitted. >> Motion's been made and I will second that to approve the Eastwater wastewater
treatment plant as submitted. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? One, two, three, four, five. Carries. Next up is the sewer west on page 138. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. >> Councelor Fillo.
>> No questions here either. Move to approve uh the west water treatment plant as presented. >> Motion's been made and sec I will second that to approve the west waste water treatment plant as submitted. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? One, two, three, four, five. That
carries. Now going down to water enterprise fund on page 15. >> Oh, yeah. I I'll thank you, Heather. Uh, so the solid waste sludge fund is not funded as of now anymore. That was a
couple years ago, I think that started. So yeah, I I should have mentioned that to you. Thank you. You're welcome. >> Um, you're welcome. So, next up is the water enterprise fund on page 156. >> Chair motion. >> Oh, I'm sorry,
>> Council Naven. >> Thank you, >> Mayor. Um, brief comment for you. I find it curious that in a budget that's $222,882,585 that a key driver um in the budget this year is the $196,000
increase in MWR um costs. Um also that number is $189,000 I believe. Um but quite the bargain um for the for the world's best drinking one. You rounded up to 96. Yeah. Yeah. Very interesting. Money well spent indeed. Um as we often
hear about why our key uh the key to our economic success is based on our wonderful drinking water. Um so just want to bring that up. Um the millions that are listed here that seems like a small number um to blame on somebody
else. Um further um I made this comment last year. I'm just wondering if we can um make this adjustment in future years rate the line item. I just think it's a little confusing. Um, this is a very small difference, but um, the MW water
line item includes also, Ted, I wonder if you could speak to it a little bit. It includes chemicals that the city's required to add at the plant. >> So, it's not consistent with the documents that are produced that say what the cost of the water is. And so, for consistency, maybe in a future budget, we could actually break that out
into two separate line items. >> But, Commissioner, would you mind just kind of just explain what that is? >> Sure. That comes from the old days when we had Milham and the MWA water at the same time. Uh when Milham was closed, it just became MWA. So anything that was associated with MWA like the the
phosphate that we add anti-corrosion. There's also um some D certification that's in there, stuff that's related to that MA water. Uh and then the Cedar Hill pump station, there's some preventive maintenance that goes on there. That's taken out of that. So there's there's some other uh cost items
in that. Thank you. >> As I mentioned earlier, it's not updated to reflect things accurately. So, >> thank uh thank you, Council Naven. >> Motion to approve, Mr. Chair. >> What's that? >> I I made a motion to approve this budget
line. >> Motion has been made uh to approve the water service fund. Is there a second on that? >> Seeing none, Council Fill. I I would I I would approve um as presented with the following reductions
if I may. >> What's the What's the We'll take the reduction first, Council. >> Uh 51310 overtime regular. I'd like to reduce that by the 19,000 since it was so was underutilized last year. >> Thank you, Council Vital.
>> I'd also like to u take 5,000 out of 51380. That's another overtime. uh right next to it. Basically, >> it's only $10,000. It's a $20,000 budgeted, but I would like to reduce it by $5,000.
>> And then um on 54810, and this might need need uh clarifying, but the repair maintenance supplies vehicles came in at 24.9% uh by the end of April. I'd like to
reduce that by 10% unless the commissioner can talk me out of it. And what line item was that council vital? >> Uh 54810. >> How much? >> Uh you as of the end of April was 20 25% utilized.
>> Yep. So um that's that's an item. We did get some new equipment there. So the repair for that might be mean less now. That's fair. So for a combination between the three line items, there would be a reduction of $34,000.
>> Total of $34,000. Okay. Motion has been made and I will second that to reduce line item 51310 uh by $19,000 and to reduce line item 51380
by $5,000. And to reduce line item 54810 by how much? >> 10,000. >> What? >> 10,000. >> By $10,000. Any further discussion?
>> Seeing none. All in favor? One, two, three, four, five. That carries. >> Mr. Chair, that's for a total of 10,87,15 if I'm correct. do my >> that reduction the 34,000 minus
>> 10,87,15 I'm correct >> because we're minusing >> 100 minus 34 >> minusing 34,000 >> 34,000 >> just so >> that is I think that is correct >> thank you c so motion has been made and
I will second that uh to approve the water service fund with the uh with those reductions. Uh that would be a budget of 10,87,000 $15. Any further discussion?
Seeing none, all in favor? 1 2 3 4 5. Okay, that should conclude the DPW and then now we can start with the uh yellow coded ones on page 25. >> Thank you councils.
>> Thank you commissioner. >> Thank you commit. Thank you commissioner. Thank you cuz it went blank. >> Thank you. Welcome back. >> Thanks. >> Okay. So, we will begin on page 25,
which is uh tax title and foreclosures. >> Approve as submitted. >> Motion has been made and seconded to approve the tax title and foreclosures budget line item as submitted. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in
favor? One, two, three, four. Councilor, >> what do you want to do? >> Motion to approve the tax, title, and foreclosure. >> Motion carries. 520. >> Next up is uh on page 43, which is other insurance.
>> Mr. Chair, >> Council Fillo, >> move to approve as presented. Motion's been made and I will second that to approve other insurance line item um as submitted. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? One, two, three, four, five.
That carries. Uh going on to page 45, which is retirement. Retirement. >> Mr. Chair. >> Councelor Fillo. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Move to approve as presented. Motion has been made and I will second that to approve uh the
retirement pension benefits as submitted. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? One, two, three, four, five. That carries. Going on to page 47, uh, workers comp.
No discussion. I will entertain a motion. >> Motion to approve. Motion has been made and seconded to approve the workers compensation insurance budget line item as submitted. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? One, two,
three, four, five. That carries. Uh, next up is on page 49, uh, which is un unemployment compensation. >> Mr. Chair, >> councelor Fillo. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Move to move to approve unemployment as presented.
>> Motion's made and seconded. I will second that to approve the unemployment uh budget item uh as submitted for discussion. >> Yes, council >> just that we saw 57,316 and FY24 actual. >> Um what do we where are we going with
this? You've brought it back to 50 after seeing the increase. >> Sure. I'll I'll be down with the transfer um possibly for unemployment for both the city and the school at year end. >> Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. >> Good question. council room. Motion's been made and seconded to approve. Uh
all in favor? 1 2 3 4 5. That carries. Uh going on to page 51. Uh health and life insurance. >> Mr. Chair, >> Council Vital, >> I'd like to make approve with the following reductions on line item 57406,
life insurance. Up until the end of April, it's been utilized around 43%. And I'd like to make a reduction of $2,000. >> And that is line item on 5740. >> 57406. Life insurance >> 57406 by $2,000.
>> Yes, Mr. Chair. >> Thank you. Motion has been made uh to reduce line item 57406 by $2,000. Do I have a second on that? Does not carry. I will entertain a motion.
Mr. Chair, >> Councelor Fuchillo. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Move to approve health and life insurance as presented. >> Motion's been made. I will second that to approve uh the health and life insurance budget as submitted. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? One, two,
three, four, five. That carries. Going on to page 53. other general government. >> Mr. Chair, >> just get my page 53. >> 54. Page 54. >> I'm so uh starts on page 53. Yes.
>> Yeah. I just a motion for approval with for point of discussion. So motion to approve, but I >> motion has been made to approve other general government uh budget item uh as submitted. Do I have a second on that?
does not carry. I will have further discussion. Councelor Phillips. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, as we discussed kind of at the beginning and as we talked throughout this budget process, right? I I think reserve for salaries is another one of those line items that we can take a look at and we're looking to make some significant
reductions to the budget, right? Um, you know, in my opinion, um, right, we can do that transfer. We can have these conversations if it comes to it. Um, you know, reducing the budget now, right, lowers taxes to be paid on the residents. I think this is a critical line item for us to take a look at. So,
um, with that would move to reduce reserve for salaries, uh, account number 57820 by $200,000. >> Motion has been made and I will second that, uh, to reduce line item 57820 by $200,000. Any further discussion?
Councilor, >> if we could hear from the comproller or the mayor on that request to reduce the what we spent uh so far, we're talking about 57820 line item. >> 57820. >> Yeah, they already reduced it by 342
from the FY26. I'd like to hear that. What's going on here? Why if we're going to reduce it another 200,000, where do we stand and what do you expect? >> It it will be tight. We have quite a few retirements that are coming down that we know of that other departments cannot
absorb. Um but I mean it is what it is and we may have to come back for a transfer. I think the controller can speak to it. >> So we also have a sorry >> so we also have the salary survey that's in finance. So some of that funding is coming through this um because again uh
there is no free cash you know until free cash gets certified. So, if we're looking to do anything and the line items aren't funded, then we don't have a place to go. And to transfer that early in the year is not something that we'd be looking to do. Um, you know, you
can see the retirements, as my schedule said, there's two retirements of fire, two retirements for police. Uh, there's a city hall retirey. Um, unfortunately from my perspective, but it is what it is. Um, and then the salary survey is what's
been put into that line item. >> Based on that answer, I cannot support that reduction. Thank you, >> President. >> So, last year we reduced it by $700,000. In case you weren't listening, $700,000 world.
We reduced it by $700,000 and it worked out just fine. Why? There's underruns and salary items. There just is folks. I mean that to to to sit here and say we're going to approve all this money knowing we're not spending all this money is a disservice to the taxpayer.
We're just we're sitting say we're going to tax you anyway. I hear what the compl saying. Free cash isn't certified till September. Guess what? We're not going to spend that money before September. All right. And if we needed to spend money, we've got $28 million sitting in stabilization account.
So free cash needs six votes. Stabilization makes eight. So to say, and I respect you, Brian, but to say we don't have free cash to move, I can move stabilization just as quick as free cash. It's just just a matter of six or
eight votes. So reducing this now is not an issue. Will the comproll and mayor and sweat it out a little bit? Okay, let we're paying them well. Let them earn their money. I'm okay with that. That works. We'll we'll find ways. We have
not shot down a transfer on this council with me as president than I can remember. Everything they've asked for, they've gotten. Lower the budget to lower the taxes. If they want more money, they'll come back and ask for it. Don't just cod blanch give it to them because they say
they need it. You haven't heard a department head up here say they don't need the money. Of course they do. No one says, "Well, who's looking out for the taxpayer?" That's our job. and our job should be to say we can take $200,000 out of that and the city will
be just fine. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. >> Thank you, President Austin. Motion is but if I can absolutely respond. >> So, um you know, Council Ros and I, you know, we see things similar most of the time and even I think on this somewhat.
Um however, um I would not be looking to take from stabilization for this type of item. You know, stabilization is a one-time revenue shortfall is how I look at stabilization. This is not a revenue shortfall. This is an expense shortfall. So, again, I look at stabilization from
a revenue shortfall perspective. If we're not getting our license permit fees, then I probably looking, hey, I need stabilization to balance the budget. And that's how I look at stabilization. Um, also with the big bond issues we have down the pipeline, I would be concerned about taking anything
out of stabilization at this point in time. Also, >> so I'll count. So, we would not be taking it out of stabilization. I was offering another we are $2 million under in salary. No one wants to cut a position. I get it. You heard Ted say he's going to
hire. Let's have this discussion on July 1 and see how many of those positions are filled. They're not going to be filled. He's trying his damnedest, but they're not. Every year I sit here and I say the same thing to all of you. We're going to underrun salary. We are $1.1 million as of right now under salary in
the fisc year 26. And that's on top of $800,000 removed in midyear transfers. So almost $2 million we're not spending. And everybody's okay with saying taxpayers go make up for it. We can pay for it. the comproller and the mayor know
they're not going to put up a fight because they know they can find the money for it. So don't politicize it. Do what's right for the taxpayer. Make the adjustment. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. If I could add to that, like I think we'll we'll obviously
make do, but my fear and concern is that if this reserve for salary is getting cut to this level, I would just hope that you would all keep an open mind for this salary study that we worked very hard on on submitting to all of you. So my concern is that if this is cut, then
that means that finance will not take up that salary study. in for the future of the city and to as you heard from the commissioner. Um people are accepting jobs and utilizing that to their advantage to get more money. Um my concern is with as people retire over
the next few years, we are not competitive with our salaries. That's why we worked very hard on that salary study. Um, so if you do cut it to this, which I respect, I just hope that you keep an open mind for that salary study to ensure that the people that are
working here get a competitive salary. That's that's my two cents. >> Mr. Chair, >> council, >> I just want to reiterate what m uh what the uh president said and put a number to it, right? So last year, but right now with the cuts we made tonight and
with the tax increase we had last year and the tax increase we'll have this year, the average house in Marorrow will pay $1,000 more in property tax. 1,000 increase over two years in
property tax, the average household. So I Mr. Mayor, I appreciate what you're saying about the salary surveys and so forth and so on, but tell that to the seniors who now have to sell their house and go live in a mobile park or tell them to a working hard family who can't
afford food and then they get a another $400 increase, not sure property tax and an increase. >> And and if I may, Mr. Mr. Chairu, I would counter that by saying that if we don't have the correct people in the position because we're not paying
adequately, we spent $4 million in free cash because we didn't have the right controller. Um the previous DPW commissioner, we there's a lot of things that we're paying for in the long run only because we're not paying attracting the right candidates. So in the long
run, it hurts us more than what we can do now. And that's my job is to advocate to make sure the city is running the best it possibly can efficiently and effectively with the correct people. So if you don't pay them correctly, then we will get the candidates that will not
have the knowledge and then we are further down than we were before. I've seen it before in my business. I've seen it. I've seen it walked into it now. And I'm not being on a soap box, but I'm just saying I just want you to keep an open mind for that salary study if this goes through. That's all I'm asking for
is just keep an open mind. We can talk about it in in-depth conversation. I'm happy to have that conversation, but there was a lot of work with the comproller with human resource with that study that was that was paid for through a grant. Why aren't we utilizing it to
its full potential? That's all. >> Thank you, Chair. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. May Council. >> I just want to thank the mayor and the professionalism of our comproller. This is their job. This is what they do. They're telling us the facts. I want to
see a staff that is educated and paid properly. Without that, mistakes will happen. You want to see insurance costs go up. That could happen. Again, I agree with Council Vital. We need to look at ways to raise money or have funds to
help our seniors. I don't disagree with him. I don't think that's applicable to what we're talking about right now. Thank you, Mr. Chair. >> Thank you, Counc. Motion has been made and seconded. um to reduce line item 57820
uh by $200,000. All in favor? One, two, three, four. All opposed. One. That carries. I will entertain a motion. I think it should be 1,250,000.
Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Mr. Chair. >> Council Fel. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um move to approve with the reduction to get to $1,250,000. >> Thank you, Council. Motion has been made and I will second that to approve other general government uh with the reduction
with a total budget of $1,250,000. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? One, two, three, four, five. That carries. Now moving on to school support on page 69.
Motion to approve. >> Motion has been excuse me. Motion has been made and I will second that to approve the uh school support budget as presented. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? One, two,
three, four, five. That carries. Moving on to city school support on page 71. Mr. Chair, >> Council Fillo. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Move to approve city and school support as uh as presented to us. >> Motion has been made and I will second
that to approve city school support as submitted. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? One, two, three, one, two, three, four, five. That carries. Going on to page 73, retirement of debt.
>> Mr. Chair, >> Council Fillo. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Move to approve retirement of debt as presented. >> Motion's been made and I will second that to approve the retirement of debt um as uh budget as submitted. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in
favor? One, two, three, four, five. That carries. Going on to page 75, long-term debt interest. >> Mr. Chair, >> council vital. >> Move to approve. Motion has been made
and I will second that to approve the debt interest uh on the school as submitted. Any further discussion? Council, >> in general, we need to build a new school. So, I'm sure we can expect this not to be in a decrease
mode in the future. Am I correct in that, Mr. Comproller? >> Decrease somewhat. Your short-term debt will increase as I bring on some of the bonds. Correct on this one until the new schools for this particular department. You're correct. >> Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
>> Motion's made and seconded to approve. All in favor? One, two, three, four, five. That carries. Now moving on to retirement of debt on page 114. >> Mr. Chair.
>> Council Fillo. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Move to approve retirement of debt as presented. >> Motion's been made and sec I will second that to approve the retirement of debt budget as submitted. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? One, two,
three, four, five. That carries. Moving on to long-term debt interest on page 116. Mr. >> Chair, council vital. >> Motion to approve. Motion's been made and I will second that to approve the uh
long-term debt and interest um budget as submitted. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? 1 2 3 4 5. That carries. Uh we won't go to the capital project on
page 118 because that is not funded. Uh we will go to retirement and pensions on uh sewer on page 120. >> Mr. Chair >> Council Fillo. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Move to approve retirement and pensions. >> Motion is made has been made and I will
second that to approve retirement and pension benefits uh in the budget as submitted. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? One, two, three, four, five. That carries.
Going on to uh workers comp uh sewer on page 122. >> Mr. Chair, >> council of idol. >> Motion to approve. >> Motion has been made and I will second that to approve the workers compensation for the sewer uh budget as submitted.
Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? One, two, three, four, five. That carries. Uh going on to page 124, health life insurance
and then on the sewer enterprise fund. >> Mr. Sure. Council Fillo. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Move to approve health and life for sewer. >> Motion has been made and I will second that to approve the health and life life insurance from the sewer. Um as submitted. Any further discussion?
Seeing none, all in favor? One, two, three, four, five. Going on to page 126. Uh sewer and other government general government. >> Mr. Chair Council Fill, >> one super quick question. Um I think in
looking at this year's budget, um uh 58891, it was 58890. It was bond issue expense. Now it's loan origination fee. Is that just some is there a change there? What is the change there? >> It's just that in this department that's what I think what it is. You know the
other one it's an old you know it's sure >> depending how old when they were established originally what they carried forward. >> All good. Thank you, Mr. Chair. And with that move to approve the um sewer other government. >> Thank you. A motion's made. I will second that to approve other general government and the sewer department um
in the budget as submitted. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? One, two, three, four, five. That carries. Going on to page 128, retirement of debt.
>> Motion to approve. On page 12, motion has been made and seconded to approve the retirement of debt uh budget item as submitted. Any further discussion? All in favor? 1 2 3 4 five. That
carries. Uh going on to long-term debt interest on the sewer. Uh page 130. >> Motion to approve. Motion has been made and I will second that uh to approve the long-term debt interest on the sewer um budget as
submitted. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? One, two, three, four, five. That carries. Going on to uh long long-term debt interest on page 130.
I'm sorry. Uh do uh retirement pensions and water 144 page 144. >> Mr. Chair, >> councelor Fillo. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Move to approve retirement and pensions for water as presented.
>> As present. Motion has been made and seconded to approve the retirement pensions on the water uh budget as submitted. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? One, two, three, four, five. That carries.
Going on to page 146, workers compensation for the water. And that is on page 146. >> Mr. Chair, >> council vital. >> Motion to approve as presented. >> Motion has been made and I will second that to approve the workers workers
compensation budget line item for the water. um as submitted. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? One, two, three, four, five. That carries. Uh next up is on page 148, health life
insurance for the water. >> Mr. Chair, >> councelor Fillo. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Move to approve the health life insurance for water as presented. >> Motion has been made. I will second that to approve the health life insurance for the water uh budget as submitted. Any
further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? One, two, three, four, five. That carries. Uh moving on to water other government on page 150.
Motion has been made and I will second that to approve um the other general government in the water water fund um as submitted. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? One, two, three, four, five. That carries.
Going on to page uh retirement of debt and water. Uh page 152. Mr. Chair >> 152 council vital >> I make a motion to approve as presented. >> Motion's been made and I will second
that to approve uh retirement of debt on the water um budget as submitted. Any further discussion? Councelor Ducet. >> Thank thank you very much Mr. Chair. I missed some of the other conversations about this um how long are these bonds?
Are they typically 20 year 30 year? I mean, are they different in these categories? Are they different durations or >> most of them are 20-year bonds when you're dealing with water? Some are 10 year. Uh, most are 20-year. I think we have a some of the short ones. Um, we
get through MWR zero interest. I believe those are 10 year. >> Okay. MW. Sorry. That's clean water. How old am I? >> A little plug. Been doing it a while. >> Little plug. >> The leads are five. >> The lens are
>> the lead safe. Yeah, but that that's all taken care of, right? >> Thank you, Council. So, motion has been made and seconded to approve. >> All in favor? One, two, three, four, five. That carries. And going on to the
last item is long long-term debt interest of water on page 154. >> Motion to approve. >> Motion's made and I will second that to approve the long-term debt interest water. um as submitted. Any further
discussion? Seeing none, all in favor? 1 2 3 4 5. That concludes the review of the FY2027 budget uh proposed budget submitted by
the mayor. At this point, I will take a five minute recess and we will recalculate and then convene back. convenience. >> Oh, here. >> We have completely reviewed the 2027 uh budget uh submitted by the mayor. Um,
and we will include the reductions in the total amount. And at this point, I will entertain a motion to uh >> to approve >> to approve the FY uh 2027 budget >> for 200 >> in the amount of
>> 222,372,585 >> which represents a reduction uh total reduction of $510,000. Motion's B been made and I will second that. Uh motion's made and seconded to approve the proposed fiscal year 2027 operating budget in the amount of
222,372,585 uh which represents a reduction of $510,000. Any further discussion? >> Mr. Chair, what's the increase? The final increase >> the the the total budget the total budget >> I'm sorry. What's the percentage increase?
>> Four. >> About about 4%. >> 4%. Thank you, Mr. Chair. >> 3999999. >> We were getting that 999. Yes9. >> I'd like 3999 more. Thank you. >> So motion has been made and seconded. Any further discussion?
Seeing none, all in favor? One 2 3 4 5. Motion carries five to zero. And we are completed. And I will entertain a motion. >> Motion to adjurnn. Motion has been made and seconded to adjourn. All in favor? One, two, three, four, five. We are
adjourned at 9:30 p.m. Thank you. >> Thank you everyone.