Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance Comm 03/22/2018Finance Committee Meeting March 22, 2018 Present: Walter Wilk, Chairman John S. Feely, Vice Chairman Michael O'Brien, Member Michael DeSantis, Member Kathleen Aguiar, Member Brian Eagle, Member Yogen Chemburkar, Member Also Present: Teresa Murphy Ed Donahue Sean Burke Kevin Dumas John Stanbrook TOWN RECEIVED 1011 FEB -b p 5� bB Minutes Clerk: Christopher P. Walsh 1. Call the Finance Committee meeting to order and review the agenda Mr. Wilk called meeting to order at 7:03 pm. MANSFIEL MASSACH SET TS 2. Approve prior Finance Committee minutes Mr. Wilk asked for review of the minutes and any changes that needed to be made. Motion: Approve Finance Committee meeting minutes from January 18, 2018 (Eagle/Wilk). Vote is 5-0. 3. Finance discussion with John Stanbrook, Finance Director Postponed. 4. Budget discussion with School Administrative leaders and School Committee members Mrs. Murphy went over highlights for the 2017-18 school year, including free full-day kindergarten for all Mansfield families, reorganization of facilities department, a new HR director, return of MHS to Level 1 accountability status, and new senior leadership. Mrs Murphy reviewed efforts to reorganize facilities and HR departments to better have resources meet needs. On financial matters, Mrs. Murphy highlighted collective bargaining agreements, ongoing capital improvement projects, and fees (daycare, parking, CHAMPS) that were some of the significant factors in the current school budget. Mrs. Murphy went over the grants applied for and awarded this year, including state grants (Enhanced Health & Game Changer) and federal grants (IDEA; Early Childhood; Title I, II, & IV). Mrs. Murphy mentioned the 3,986 students enrolled in district from PreK to 12+, NESDEC's projections (about 40 students over) that doesn't include out of district and Evening School students, and declining student enrollment leading to reduced staffing (includes decreased FTEs). Mrs. Murphy covered students with needs, emphasizing the need to close the achievement gap in some sub - groupings of student, people with social emotional needs, the increase in English language learners, and the increase in'children with disabilities (504 Plans & IEPs). For the future, Mrs. Murphy mentioned factors to keep in mind: elementary and middle schools are level 2 schools based on MCAS, FY19 budget supporting new elementary literacy model (i.e. professional development), development of a technologystrategic plan, school safety & security, aging schools, putting the PreK students on campus, and complying with DESE mandates (i.e. training staff for suicidal ideation, water testing). Mr. Donahue went over the FY19 budget assumptions and consolidated spreadsheets for FY17, FYI 8, and FY19. The proposed budget for FY19 is $50 million, an increase of 2.8% over the FY18 budget. Salary and wage request of $40 million, a 3.4% increase from FYI 8, resulted from contractual obligations. The schools found some staff savings from 8 retirees and the commitment to full-day kindergarten. Mrs. Murphy reviewed the FY19 staffing/educational requests, including a district -wide instructional technology specialists, ALC teachers for MHS/QMS, and a full year office assistant at MHS main office. Mrs. Murphy mentioned school choice and that School Committee must decide every year by June. They will be taking closer look at whether it might be right for Mansfield and will involve the Finance Committee for help evaluating the financial piece of the puzzle. Other savings included a $3 million (6.2%) decrease in special education costs from FY 17, though these can change over a school year and are not consistent year-to-year. Transportation costs will be up $274,400 due to less resources from the transportation revolving fund which had previously been used to offset increases. Additional costs to update elementary math & reading programs were included in order to the schools achieve Level 1 status; the expenses were significant drivers in total elementary school budget. In reviewing goods & services, central services, buildings & grounds and special education, Mr. Donahue discussed the ability of the schools to shift money across different line items. He mentioned taking money out of maintenance and recycling program where costs savings have been achieved and using where a greater need was identified. Mr. Wilk expressed appreciation that the schools kept their funding request as low as possible. He reminded everyone that the town is likely to continue to see limited ability for sizable increases because revenue isn't forecasted to rise significantly. Mr. Wilk laid out that the School and town would likely need to keep the FY 20 budget flat like was done this year. 15. Warrant articles discussion I Copy of draft warrant articles were previously shared by Mr. Eagle. He will review articles which have a fiscal impact and seek to invite sponsors to a future Finance Committee meeting. 6. Board Updates (CIP, Audit, School Committee, DPW/Public Safety Complex, Downtown Strategy Committee) CIP: Hiehlieht of items beine added. includine Town website. Town -wide Financial Svstem software and upgraded assessment software. Additionally, a trailer for new election equipment is on the CIP list. Money for a Master plan and economic development plan have been considered, but no money have been set aside yet for either. Discussions are ongoing about funding improvements to Memorial Hall, additional funds for MHS bleachers and infrastructure improvements for Rte. 106 design and oversight. Finance Committee will review the CIP in greater detail when further information is provided by CIP Committee and Town Manager. Audit: None School: None DPW/Public Safety: Finance Committee will consider signing letter/Op-Ed piece with Board of Selectmen to clear up misinformation about development of DPW/Public safety Complex. Construction on Public Safety portion have begun with pouting of foundations. There may be an Open House at the end of April for the new DPW Complex. Downtown: None 7. Items not known within 48 hours None 8. Audience Q&A None 9. Committee member comments Mr. Wilk passed out current FY '19 budget calculation documents as developed by the Town Manager and Finance Director. Mr. Wilk asked the Committee to review for use in future budget discussion. Mr. Eagle asked scope of Audit Committee and whether they or someone else would be responsible for reviewing town's tax assessment process. Mr. O'Brien said an independent audit company presents findings in front of audit committee, but didn't think it covered tax assessment. Mr. Desamis agreed and Mr. Feely recommended asking the town manager. Agreement that at future meeting, Finance Committee discuss whether there are additional town processes and procedures that might benefit from regular auditing by an appropriate group. Motion: Adjourn the March 22, 2018 Signature Documents Used in this Meeting at 9:39 pm (Wi1k/Chemburkar). Vote is 7-0. 3/22/18 School and FinCom — Collaborate to Achieve Town of Mansfield FY 19 Budget calculations as of 3/22/18 uWh6 Date Town of Mansfield FY 19 fund budgeted revenues and expenditures department summaries Town of Mansfield FY 19 article 1 breakdown as of 3/22/18 Town of Mansfield FY 19 budget deficit summary Town of Mansfield rates and fees Town of Mansfield FY 19 Budget financial policies compliance worksheet