Litchfield Budget Committee Meeting Summery for the meeting on August 22, 2019.
Budget Committee met last night for a regularly scheduled meeting. Agenda items and discussions point included:
Litchfield Budget Committee Meeting – August 22, 2019
Acceptance of 6/27/19 and & 8/5/19 (Budget Hearing) minutes
A review and discussion on correspondence received and a reminder to the BC on transparency and to limit email communication and avoid ‘reply all’.
Town Business: Selectman Leary provided a response to several budgets questions asked by Mr. Cutter regarding actual expenses that are not in line with what was budgeted. A review of the upcoming budget review schedule was also discussed. A BC walk through of town facilities is currently being planned.Tentative walk through’s will include:
9/5: Library, Cable Building, Old Fire Station, Talent Hall
9/12: Town Hall, Police Station, Fire Station
9/30: Recycling Center & Kennel
School Business: SB Representative Meyers provided a general update on the upcoming school year.
Teaching staff returns next week.
New buses equipped w/ cameras with also be going through there routes (I believe today).
Special election remains with Judge for decision.
Food Services program ran budget deficit, however, program is being turned around with focus on improving quality of meals at GMS this year.
K enrollment is currently at 72 for this year. In line with what was forecasted for enrollment.
The BC’s next regularly scheduled meeting will be on Thursday 9/26 and will plan to meet weekly for the remainder of the year to review and vote on the town and school budgets.
Note: Any public comments or questions can be addressed to the Budget Committee during the next public meeting. Budget Committee responses to questions are not permitted via social media.
As shared by Andrew Cutter via Facebook on 8/23/2019.
The Budget Committee had a special meeting this evening to discuss and vote on the proposed teacher’s contract.
Budget Committee Emergency Meeting – August 19, 2019
There were several community members that spoke in favor of the contract. Superintendent Jette also provided the BC additional information on the longevity payments included in the contract and reminded the BC the contract is ~250k less than what was presented to the votes in March ’19. A summary of dates and why the need for a special meeting tonight was also provided.
After some brief discussion amougst the committee, the BC voted 6-2-0 to recommend the contract to the voters.
As a reminder, no responses to comments/questions by the BC are permitted via social media. Any questions can be discussed at the next BC meeting this Thursday 8/22.
As shared by Andrew Cutter via Facebook on 8/19/2019.
The BC met last night @ 7PM. All members were in attendance and the following actions were taken and points discussed:
Litchfield Budget Committee Meeting – June 27, 2019
1) New Hampshire Municipal Associating Budget Law Training. NHMA provided an overview of budget law for the Committee and reviewed various RSA’s that dictate the laws & process the Budget Committee must follow. The role of the BC includes:
Review current year expenditures
Review proposals, request information
Prepare budget
Schedule & hold budget hearings
Forward final proposed budget to governing body
Does not control spending
10% rule in towns with official budget committee
Budget can not surpass YoY increase >10%
In 2017 Litchfield passed a local tax cap on the town side where the budget can not exceed an increase >$175k.
The Superintendent provided the BC with an update on teachers contract.
On 6/27, the School Board held an Emergency meeting and voted to approve a renegotiated collective bargaining agreement with the LEA.
Terms of the new agreement include:
A total 3 year cost of ~$854k. This is a reduction from the failed March 2019 warrant article which was ~$1.1MM.
Year 1 would reflect a 1% Cost of Living (COLA) increase, Year 2 = 1.5% COLA increase, Year 3 = 1.75% COLA increase
Primary renegotiated points to support the decrease in cost are:
Health insurance is more in line with industry standard and shifts from ‘Cadillac Plan’ to a deductible/co-insurance based plan
No make up in step increases to account for past years where there was no contract
Longevity payments have decreased
Next steps are for the Superior Court to review the petition for a Special Election as well as for the Budget Committee to formally vote to recommend/not recommend the contract. The Budget Committee will have a special meeting planned for the evening of Monday August 5th to vote on the LEA ContractThe Superintendents goal is to have the special election at the end of September. Working back from that timeline, there will be a deliberative session planned for early September and the BC vote should be recorded by August 9th.
4) School Update
A review of year end encumbrances were performed. Total encumbrances = $197,593
Estimated fund balance (as of 6/19/19) = $331,845.77
5) Town Update
Two lawn mowers were purchased to replace failing equipment
6) School Capital Planning Committee Update
The BC discussed member participation on the School Capital Planning Committee. While the Committee is very much in favor of the Capital Planning charter and putting together a district wide strategic plan, the BC voted 2-7-0 to not participate in this committee. Reasoning for the failed vote was primarily related to maintaining independence as a Committee as well as how effective one member would be speaking on behalf of the BC, when the BC has not met to discuss.
Note: Any public comments or questions can be addressed to the Budget Committee during the next public meeting, a special meeting to vote on the LEA Teachers contract, planned for August 5th. Budget Committee responses to questions are not permitted via social media.
As shared by Andrew Cutter via Facebook on 6/28/2019.
The Budget Committee met this evening and the following was reviewed:
Acceptance of 4/18 meeting minutes. Pass 5-2-0
Correspondence Summary
Fire Station IT & overall project expense summaries were provided
School District Business Administrator reports for April and May were received
Town Business
64% of operating budget has been expended YTD
Town audit is near completion with final/formal results expected in September
All planned highway paving projects are now complete
Tax bills will be sent out this week (SORRY FOR THE BAD NEWS!)
The Fire Chief applied and received a 40k grant for equipment and furniture for our new emergency response center in the new fire station
School Business
The Budget Committee confirmed a five year First Student contract is now in place. New buses will be rolling throughout town for the next school year. The new buses will all be equipped with internal and external cameras, which will hopefully deter and catch any stop sign runners.
School enrollment currently stands at 1,321 students.
Kindergarten current year has 87 students. Thus far 60 are registered for next year. IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY DONE SO, PLEASE ENROLL YOUR K STUDENT(S). Information can be found at: http://www.litchfieldsd.org/StudentRegistration.aspx
A new LEA negotiated contract is complete with the School Board. The contract is under review currently with the LEA.
End of year fund projection is currently at 487k. The school board is planning ~197k in encumbrances. The list has not been voted on or finalized at this stage.
Member Input/New Business
Next Budget Committee meeting will be on 6/27. This meeting will largely be focused on NHMA training – This is an open session and all are welcome to attend. At the conclusion of the training, an abbreviated Budget Committee meeting will be held.
Mr. Cutter’s analysis of the school budget was also reviewed. Mr. Cutter commented that he felt the school budget for next year was 1MM higher than needed and the town budget is 300-500k higher than needed – based upon actual spend and historical account based trending. Refer to information shared with the community under the 4/18 Meeting Summary.
The School Board desires to establish a Capital Planning Committee to specifically put together a 3 to 5year building plan. The Budget Committee discussed if one member would be involved, as per the School Board request. This will be decided at the 6/27 meeting.
Note: Any public comments or questions can be addressed to the Budget Committee during the 6/27 public meeting. Budget Committee responses to questions are not permitted via social media.
As shared by Andrew Cutter via Facebook on 5/23/2019.
The Budget Committee met this evening. Attendees included: K. Douglas (Chair), A. Cutter (V. Chair), J. Martin, B. Hodgkins, W. Hayes, R. Meyers (SB), B Lemire and R Leary (BOS)
A review an acceptance of minutes from the January 10th and February 9th meetings occurred – both with a 4-0-3 vote. The March 28th minutes were also accepted as amended with a 7-0-0 vote.
Correspondence was reviewed which included distribution to the committee of town and school budget analysis along with information on police cruiser purchase cycle and rotation of vehicles.
Additional agenda items and discussion points included:
Acceptance of Budget Committee by laws (7-0-0)
Process to post BC updates via social media has been reviewed with the IT Manager
NHMA Training (scheduled for June 27th BC meeting)
Budget Review Calendar
IT Expenses and Access
Submitted questions and responses provided by the Town Administrator
School budget review has been postponed to the May 23rd meeting – providing ample time for all committee members to receive and review analysis
