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November 27, 2007 2008 Budget Hearing
2008 Budget Hearing of November 27, 2007 Chairman Jeff Long called the hearing to order at 7 p.m. Also present were Supervisors David Schuenemann and Charlie Spencer, Clerk/Treasurer Lois Smith, Police Officer Jim Hanson and 74 electors and 8 non-electors. Chairman Long read the notice from the Lakeland Times advising residents of the budget hearing and special electors meeting to follow the budget hearing. He reviewed line by line item of the 2008 Budget Expenditures. Questions were welcomed. The revenue sheets were also available and questions would be welcomed also. Chairman Long stated the board is looking into a town website and the cost is $1000 plus monthly maintenance. Website would be good for disseminating information to the public. The assessor’s line item was increased due to the necessity of having to re-assess the town in the next two years. There is an additional $11,000 in that category. The elected salaries will remain the same until April 2009. Chairman Long introduced the new Police Officer, Jim Hanson and explained the increase because we will have an officer 12 months a year unlike 2007 which we had only a policeman for the last six months of the year and the benefits will increase likewise. Officer Hanson’s health benefit will be 90% of the total premium with the employee paying the balance of 10%. LOSA for the volunteer firemen is increased to $9500. Roads & streets wages increased to $99,400, with benefit increases also. Roads and gravel category has been reduced to $116,896.83 because of the completion of the downtown Old Hwy K E extension. He explained the additional funds for the payment of that project came from R&G savings, room tax and balance of funds remaining in the Public Works categories for 2007. The exact figure won’t be determined until after December, 2007. 2008 road projects will be mainly the milling of roads with seal coating the following spring in 2009 budget. Capping the road projects help to keep us within the State’s guideline of levy increase to 3.8%. The board would be willing to have a hearing on the road conditions and projects for the future to determine if the public would like to increase the roads budget to put us over the state levy increase. All communities are struggling with the same budget restraints and maybe borrowing could be an answer for the future. Elector Steve Duba spoke to the board regarding health insurance issues. Due to age of our employees, our group premiums for the insured employees are at the high end. This makes the town liability for insurance greater at this time. The town will continue to look into and re-bidding on group plans in 2008 without drastically reducing the benefits to those employees. Elector Ken Ehle asked questions on the clerk’s health insurance and received answers. He also asked where the balance remaining from 2007 public works categories would go and Chairman Long stated it would be designated to roads and gravel savings for future road projects. Chairman Long then explained the fire number dollar amount and how it will be spent, when the project is completed. This could include re-numbering fire numbers and some road and address changes for residents. The street lights category may need to be adjusted because of the increase for electricity. The transfer site budget will be under for 2007 due to not purchasing garbage bags. We will be purchasing bags in 2008 and may use part of the leftover funds from 2007 for these purchases. Elector John Scapes asked about placing a light on or near the American Flag at the cemetery and Chairmain Long felt this was justified and it should be looked into the costs for this 2008 budget. The parks and recreation increase is $1000 for winterpark lights and expenses in 2008. Any overages are offset by the parks and recreation savings account. Chairman Long gave a brief overview of the Winterpark Project and its’ costs. There will be, hopefully, in 2008 a fire pit built and much improved usage. There will be a dedication of the park on January 5, 2008 which will include fireworks display, ice skating games for children and adults and a cross country ski. Elector Dan Haag asked a few questions and was given answers. Discussion ensured on the winterpark and the lighting times. Chairman Long continued reviewing the remaining balance of the 2008 budget items, line by line. Discussion was held on the community center and since it will be 20 years since it was remodeled in 1990, the board is looking for volunteers to study the issue of the community, whether to update the present structure, put on an addition or build a new center and library. Those individuals who volunteered are: Irene Gravelle representing the library, Elinore Sommerfeld, Ned Pierce, Dennis Reuss, John Scapes, and Ray Schneider. More discussions ensued on other related budget items. MOTION/TOM SOMMERFELD: SECOND/JIM GALLOWAY: To adopt the 2008 budget in the amount of $1,157,970.93 with a recommendation for a tax levy of $699,426.21 for the electors special meeting following this hearing. Voice vote of ayes was given very loud. A few nays were heard. MOTION CARRIED the aye vote. MOTION/JIM GALLOWAY: SECOND/JEAN KNOX: To adjourn this hearing at 8:20 p.m. MOTION CARRIED with a voice vote of ayes. Respectfully Submitted, Lois J. Smith Clerk/Treasurer