Sunday, May 22, 2016

Franklin, MA: Town Council - Budget Hearing #2 - May 26, 2016


A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS

– This meeting is being recorded by Franklin TV and shown on Comcast channel 11 and Verizon channel 29. This meeting may be recorded by others.

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS


E. APPOINTMENTS


F. HEARINGS

– 7:10 PM Budget:FY 2017 Budget Hearing

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS

H. PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSIONS


I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS


J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION

1. Resolution 16-33:Adoption of the FY 2017 Budget

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

L. OLD BUSINESS


M. NEW BUSINESS


N. COUNCIL COMMENTS


O. EXECUTIVE SESSION


P. ADJOURN



Executive Summary FY 2017 Budget

While fiscal challenges remain, our resolve to overcome them is relentless. The FY 17 proposed budget will be balanced budget without a requirement to reduce full time staff, request an override or use other one time funds. Further, I am requesting we maintain the one additional Police and Fire department personnel we discussed in the recent past and add a deputy Town Treasurer Collector in preparation of the potential retirement of the Treasurer and Deputy Treasurer in 2018

We continue to face huge challenges in properly funding our Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB) and roads. We should continue to maintain proper debt capacity in the annual operating budget to fund capital improvements.

The Town’s property tax revenue (not including debt exclusions) will increase by 2 1⁄2 % plus new growth, or about $2.305 million. Local receipts, which include the excise tax and permit and license fees, etc., will increase $310,000. This increase is due to increased motor vehicle commitments. Net State Aid (based on House budget) will decrease by $71,638. The FY 16 “net” revenue increase is estimated at $2.65 million.

Proposed FY 17 Highlights


Treasurer Collector – The budget adds another Deputy Treasurer Collector in preparation of the retirement of the Treasurer and Deputy Treasurer Collector in 2018. We will reassign one clerk to another department.

Police – No change in staffing. The Council authorized an additional officer last fall. A recent study showed that our staffing is consistent with like size communities.

Fire – The budget reflect one additional position to help with fire prevention, education and Regional Dispatch – The target date to open the new center is the fall of 2017. The building is currently under design and should be bid this fall.

Franklin Schools – The schools face rising costs of special education. They will deal with the problem for FY 17 by using one time and revolving funds. This will be an item of concern The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter School has located new space and has been approved to add students from other communities. Their plan is relocated to Washington Street and complete the project in fall of 2017. The charter school formula results in a net decrease in our state aid.

Employee Benefits – This budget is increasing for several reasons. Pension costs increased by about 10%, OPEB is funded at $450,000 and health insurance continues to be a challenge. We have not finalized the Health insurance budget as of this date.

In compliance with Article Six, Sections 6-3-1 through 6-5-2 of the Franklin Town Charter, I am submitting the proposed FY 15 budget to the Town Council and Finance Committee.


The Agenda document for May 26





The full FY 2017 Budget




Franklin Municipal Building
Franklin Municipal Building

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