HomeMy WebLinkAboutmin of fin com 03202008
Finance Committee Meeting
Minutes of Meeting
March 20, 2008
RECEIVED
TO'\'\/N CLERKS OFFICE.
InUl "AR 28 A q: III
MANSFIELD
MASSACHUSETTS
Attending:
James Lazzara
Charlene Lavin
Jess Aptowitz
Greg Arnold
7:30 Budget Analysis
Budget Model Comparison
· Mr. Arnold began the meeting by comparing the Finance Committee 2009 budget analysis draft with
the budget presented by the state. The finance committee budget had a bottom line increase of
4.13%, while the state budget reported a 4.5% increase; this reflects a total difference of $200,000.
· It was determined that the Town Health Benefits had a discrepancy of $30,600; as it was listed as
$2,408,500 on the state budget and $2,377,900 on the finance committee budget.
Also discussed:
· A listing of what compromises the school benefit other category on the budget analysis was given by
Mr. Arnold, this includes: dental, unemployment, life insurance, medical tax and worker's
compensation.
· How the budget for the schools salaries is determined and buyout program for the school's sick time.
· The need to revisit the stabilization budget of $300,000.
· The need to cut $2,721,600 from the schools budget and $721,755 from the town budget.
· Mr. Lazzara suggested that the finance committee request detailed changes in the budget by
department to better determine the actual use of the funds.
Schools
· Mr. Arnold presented that the schools expenditure has increased 24% over the previous year's
budget.
· Mr. Lazzara brought up the topic of the schools salary increase for the coming year and how these
increases should be broken up. Mr. Arnold suggested that the school committee should be
responsible for allocating the breakdown.
· An override was discussed, but ruled out as it is a short term solution and will not work for future
budget plans.
· The $60,000 allocated to the school remediation fund was discussed; Mr. Lazzara proposed
requesting a detailed analysis of these funds.
Capital Improvement Plan
· Ms. Lavin presented the breakdown of the capital improvement plan (CIP) to the finance committee.
The breakdown in numbers did not match the finance committee calculations, as the committee had
requested a ten year plan and received a six year plan.
· The cost effectiveness of hiring a proposed outside consultant to do an analysis of all town buildings
was discussed. Mr. Lazzara suggested that the planning committee and utilities committee should
be able to conduct this assessment internally rather than hire an outside consultant. Mr. Aptowitz
suggested that the expense of an outside consultant should appear in the capital budget.
· Ms. Lavin reported that the town master plan is two-thirds complete and will likely be presented to the
finance committee in the near future.
· Ms. Lavin suggested that the most pressing concerns for the finance committee as far as the CIP
goes are highway, fire station, fire trucks and modular classrooms. Short term borrowing was
suggested as a possible solution to have modular classrooms in place for September 1.
Meeting adjourned at 8:15
xUUu /~ ~
l ... lUJ ,/ LfYI~e1~
Signature of Clerk
3/9- 7/ cJy>
. Date of Approval