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BOARD
OF ESTIMATE & TAXATION MEETING ACTIONS
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MARCH 5, 2007
ATTENDANCE: Fred Wilms, Chairman; Mayor Richard Moccia; James Clark; Michael
Lyons; Leo Mellow; James Feigenbaum; Stuart Wells.
STAFF: Mary Roman, City Clerk; Tom Hamilton, Director of Finance; Ossie Lewis, Director of Management and Budgets.
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by the Chairman.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
FEBRUARY 12, 2007 REGULAR MEETING
** MAYOR MOCCIA MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES AS SUBMITTED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS AGENDA
FISCAL YEAR 2006-07
$212,976 FROM CONTINGENCY TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR SEVERANCE PAYMENTS
Mr. Hamilton said this is an identified shortfall. Overtime is projected to run approximately $980,000. The good news is because of the fact that the regular wage accounts have projected $300,000 in turn-backs due to vacancies and the agreement of the Police Department to charge $200,000 in overtime expenses to the Asset Forfeiture fund, the actual amount needed is $212,976. Updated information says that one employee has decided not to take the Drop program. They are reaching a plateau in Drop payments, if not going down. These are not new liabilities; it is payout for accrued sick and vacation time. Mr. Hamilton said he spoke with Chief Rilling last week and he informed Mr. Hamilton that he would be out of town tonight.
Frank Favano, Police Department, said he did not expect any more DROP participants for the rest of this fiscal year unless there is a change in the contract. Mayor Moccia said they would spread those severance payments out in that case.
The Chairman complimented Chief Rilling for a very well prepared set of backup material. He asked how assets and forfeitures work. Mr. Favano said they cannot supplant, they can only supplement funds. This fund is audited by the Federal government. Funds are seized and the Police Department shares 15% of the funds raised. In 2004-05, they received $560,000 due to the seizure of the Burden restaurant.
Mayor Moccia said the Justice Department has very narrow rules as to what these funds can be used for. They had to be convinced to release funds for salaries, but they did convince them. Mr. Favano said this money cannot be used for salaries but can be used for overtime.
** MAYOR MOCCIA MOVED: RESOLVED, THAT A SUM NOT TO EXCEED $212,976 BE AND THE
SAME IS HEREBY TRANSFERRED FROM CONTINGENCY TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO PAY
FOR SEVERANCE PAYMENTS (ACCOUNT NO. 01-4029-5298).
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
$283,684 FROM CONTINGENCY TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR AN ANTICIPATED SHORTFALL IN OVERTIME EXPENSES
** MAYOR MOCCIA MOVED: RESOLVED, THAT A SUM NOT TO EXCEED $283,864 BE AND THE
SAME IS HEREBY TRANSFERRED FROM TONTINGENCY TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO PAY
FOR AN ANTICIPATED SHORTFALL IN OVERTIME EXPENSES (ACCOUNT NO ).
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
$9,200 FROM CONTINGENCY TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR REPAIR OF A BOAT MOTOR
Mr. Hamilton said that this request has been tabled at the request of the department and Mayor Moccia.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
STATUS OF CONTINGENCY FY 2006-07
The Chairman noted that not much of the contingency had been used. Mr. Hamilton said all of their major contracts are unsettled; money will be used from this year’s and next year’s contingency. Budget assumptions should be discussed in Executive Session.
Mr. Hamilton said that an appropriation/transfer for the Library boiler should have been on this month’s agenda but will be on next month’s agenda. In addition, the 2008 Revaluation Selection Committee includes Mrs. Roman and Mr. Hilliard. They interviewed with three candidates and are requesting supplemental information. They hope to make a final recommendation this week. Finance is meeting on Thursday and they hope to get an appropriation on their agenda of $1,000,000+. This will come to the Board of Estimate & Taxation and then to the Common Council. They expect this to be an appropriation from fund balance. They want to move quickly. The Chairman said that the Board of Estimate & Taxation would hold a special meeting within the next few weeks.
The Chairman noted that one of the three vendors was not deemed appropriate. Mr. Wells asked about the $1,000,000. The Chairman said it depends on the type of revaluation to be done. The price is between $2,000,000 and $1,000,000. Mr. Hamilton said each firm has been asked for quotes on 20%. The committee will meet on Wednesday.
** MAYOR MOCCIA MOVED TO ADJOURN.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
The meeting was adjourned at 8 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cheryl Telesco
Telesco Secretarial Services.
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