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Warner Budget Committee Meeting Minutes Monday, May 4, 2009
Meeting
opened at In
attendance: Marc Violette
John Warner
Alfred Hanson
Martha Bodnarik
Peter Newman – Warner Village Water District Representative
Absent:
Mike Cutting
Others
present: 1. General
Discussion Marc
Violette explained to the new members if they so desired, the Committee
as a whole can complete department site visits.
Alfred
Hanson confirmed that revenues are estimated as part of the budget
process, he is not in favor of this because the Town is always six
months behind; the tax rate is set in September for a budget that is
approved in March. Another
concern is the State revenues from the Rooms & Meals Tax and the
Highway Block Grant, the concern is the State may cut back on such
revenues. Alfred
Hanson is concerned that he hasn’t seen a significant surplus at the
end of the year as he has in the past.
Mr. Warner explained that it is because the budget is estimated
more correctly. Mr. Warner
explained what surplus means; the budget has misestimated revenues and
cost. 2. Chair and Vice
Chair Motion was made and
seconded to nominate Marc Violette as Chairman.
All were in favor; motion passed. Martha
Bodnarik asked if the meeting time could be changed to either Motion was made and
seconded to nominate John Warner as Vice Chairman.
All were in favor; the motion passed. 3. Vacancy Three
residents submitted their interest to the Selectmen’s office for the
vacant position on the Budget Committee, Jeanne Hand, Kimberley Edelmann
and Bob Egan. Both Jeanne
and Jeanne
Hand explained why she would like to serve on the Budget Committee.
She has a degree in marketing and business.
Jeanne feels there are areas in the budget that need to be
addressed such as roads. Jeanne
is involved with the Women’s Club the Garden Club and she has been in
Town for 2.5 years. Jeanne
has a lot of budget questions and would like to learn some of the
history. Kimberley
Edelmann moved to Warner 4 years ago from After
a brief discussion the Budget Committee nominated Kimberley Edelmann as
a Budget Committee member until March 2010. 4. Capital
Improvements Program Planning
Board member Ed Mical asked the Budget Committee for a volunteer who
will sit on the Capital Improvement Program Committee.
John Warner added that it is very useful for a Budget Committee
representative to be on the CIP Committee.
Mr. Mical reported that population projections as well as
surrounding community’s initiatives will be added.
The CIP Committee will begin meeting in May concluding in
September. Martha Bodnarik
will be the Budget Committee’s representative. 5. Year to Date
Budget Review Members
reviewed the YTD budget and were advised to email any questions they may
have to the Town Administrator and she will address the answers at the
next scheduled meeting. The
next meeting will be scheduled some time after the summer.
There are members who are interested in touring the facilities as
well as meeting with the Department Heads during the budget process.
Marc Violette explained in the beginning of the 2008/2009 budget
process School Board reps as well as a county rep met with the BC and
presented their budget expectations.
With that information the Budget Committee then presented their
budget expectations/target to the Selectmen; last year level funding was
requested. John
Warner explained now that the Town has a Town Administrator the Budget
Committee chose the process of oversight, looking in detail at the
budget and then asking questions. If
the Committee had questions of the Department Heads it was then arranged
to meet with them. The Town
Administrator provides a budget and supporting information from working
with the Department Heads. After
a discussion among the BC members it was decided to meet with Department
Heads if needed. Marc
Violette added that the Budget Committee is part of the checks and
balances. Martha
Bodnarik feels that a Budget Committee member should sit in on the
budget process at the Town Administrator level when budgets are being
created with the Department Heads; to hear first hand from the
Departments what they need and why; she feels when dealing with the
numbers this knowledge would be beneficial.
John Warner feels that should be a Selectmen’s decision.
Marc Violette feels a Budget Committee member could make a
stronger impact participating in the CIP meetings.
Marc Violette advised Martha Bodnarik to contact the Town
Administrator about sitting in on the budget process.
Pete Newman said another option is to have the Department Head
attend the Budget Committee meeting along with the Town Administrator
when their budget is presented. Alfred
Hanson is in favor of Mr. Newman’s suggestion.
Pete
Newman said as the process is right now it is assumed that the
Department Head agrees with what the Town Administrator presents to the
Selectmen, he feels that this may not be the case.
Selectman A
member asked for a time frame by process.
Marc Violette explained that he and John Warner will create a
tentative meeting schedule in September. 6. Adjournment Motion
was made and seconded to adjourn at Respectfully
submitted, Mary
Whalen Recording
Secretary
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