Budget and Finance Subcommittee

City of Amesbury Office of the City Clerk 62 Friend St. Amesbury, MA 01913 By City Clerk at 11:55 am, Feb 24, 2023 City Council Budget & Finance Committee Meeting Minutes Monday, November 21, 2022, at 7:00 PM Chairman Hickok called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Roll call was taken, and present were Chairman Hickok, Councilor Deschenes and Councilor Stanganelli. Minutes for Approval- October 18, 2022 Councilor Deschenes moved to approve the minutes of October 18, 2022. He was seconded by Councilor Stanganelli. Chairman Hickok abstained. The motion passed (3 voting members present). Communications and Updates: • CFO Marisa Batista provided updates (see attached). Public Comment- There was no one to speak during the public comment portion of the meeting. 2022-148 An Order to transfer $233,187.89 from FY23 Salary and Budget Reserve accounts to various Departmental Salaries & Wages accounts. -Mayor Sponsor Councilor Stanganelli moved to send bill 2022-148 as presented back to the full City Council with a positive recommendation. He was seconded by Councilor Deschenes. The motion passed unanimously (3 present). 2022-149 An Order to request the City Council vote to hold the annual Classification Hearing to vote on four (4) separate items in order to establish the tax burdens for each class of property. -Mayor Sponsor • There was discussion regarding the residential and commercial proposed tax factors. Councilor Wheeler offered comments and questions on these commercial and residential tax rates and classifications. • Chairman Hickok spoke in favor of a 1.1 split that would spread the tax burden across all property classes. • Councilor Deschenes asked the Chief Assessor if it would be possible to provide the information on a shift factor of 1.05 to the next full City Council meeting. Chief Assessor Diana Caswell responded “yes.” • Councilor Stanganelli stated his belief that by giving two industrial/commercial properties a TIF, the City could be defeating the purpose of a split shift factor. 1. Councilor Stanganelli moved to recommend a Residential factor of 1. He was seconded by Councilor Deschenes. The motion passed (2 in favor, Hickok abstained). 2. Councilor Stanganelli moved to recommend the Assessor’s recommendation for the open space discount. He was seconded by Deschenes. The motion passed unanimously (3 present). 3. Councilor Stanganelli moved to recommend no further residential exemption. He was seconded by Councilor Deschenes. The motion passed unanimously (3 present). 4. Councilor Stanganelli moved to recommend no further commercial exemption. He was seconded by Councilor Deschenes. The motion passed unanimously (3 present). 2022-150 An Order to request the City Council vote to increase the exemption amount of qualified applicants. -Mayor Sponsor • Chief Assessor Diana Caswell provided a spreadsheet demonstrating the number of applications granted last year and the exemption amounts (see attached). Councilor Stanganelli moved to send bill 2022-150 as presented back to the full City Council. He was seconded by Councilor Deschenes. The motion passed unanimously (3 present). 2022-151 An Order to authorize the Mayor to accept a donation for one-time mowing of Quinn Farm, located at 116 Whitehall Road. -Mayor Sponsor • City Clerk Amanda Haggstrom stated that a revised version of the bill was sent to Councilors. • Chief of Staff Ann Marie Casey stated that the bill was revised to reflect that the donation is coming directly from the Lake Gardner Improvement Association. Councilor Stanganelli moved to send bill 2022-151 back to the full City Council with a positive recommendation as presented. He was seconded by Councilor Deschenes. The motion passed unanimously (3 present). 2022-152 An Order to authorize the transfer of $66,100.00 from the Library North Wall Repair Plan capital account (120 0610 5861 04) to hire an architectural firm to create a Facilities Master Plan and to install a climate control solution at the Amesbury Public Library. -Mayor Sponsor • Library Director Aimie Westphal explained the order. • Chairman Hickok asked if the North wall was repaired. Ms. Westphal replied that it was not. • Chairman Hickok asked if the master plan included a new library. Ms. Westphal replied that the master plan included all aspects of the preplanning and assessment. Councilor Stanganelli moved to send bill 2022-152 as presented back to the full City Council with a positive recommendation. He was seconded by Councilor Deschenes. The motion passed unanimously (3 present). 2022-153 An Order to authorize the transfer of $12,220.00 from the Library Water Infiltration Study capital account (120 0610 5861 03) to install a climate control solution at the Amesbury Public Library. -Mayor Sponsor Councilor Stanganelli moved to send bill 2022-153 as presented back to the full City Council with a positive recommendation. He was seconded by Councilor Deschenes. The motion passed unanimously (3 present). 2022-154 An Order to authorize the Mayor to accept and expend a FY23 Community One Stop for Growth Housing Choice Grant from the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development (EOHED) in the amount of $80,000.00. -Mayor Sponsor • Community and Economic Development Director Angela Cleveland shared her excitement for the grant and explained the order. Councilor Stanganelli moved to send bill 2022-154 as presented back to the full City Council with a positive recommendation. He was seconded by Councilor Deschenes. The motion passed unanimously (3 present). 2022-155 An Order to authorize the Mayor to accept and expend, for its third year, a Drug Free Communities Support Program Grant from the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP). -Mayor Sponsor • Chief of Staff Ann Marie Casey said she believes that this will be a successful program. The director has left her position, but they are interviewing candidates now. Councilor Stanganelli moved to send bill 2022-155 as presented back to the full City Council with a positive recommendation. He was seconded by Councilor Deschenes. The motion passed unanimously (3 present). 2022-156 An Order to approve payment from the FY23 general fund operating budget for the below listed prior year invoices. -Mayor Sponsor Councilor Stanganelli moved to send bill 2022-156 as presented back to the full City Council with a positive recommendation. He was seconded by Councilor Deschenes. The motion passed unanimously (3 present). 2022-157 An Order to transfer $2,000 from Conservation Commission Salaries & Wages to Conservation Commission Other Expenses. -Mayor Sponsor • Councilor Stanganelli asked if this is a continuation of a previous matter. Community and Economic Development Director Angela Cleveland replied that it is a separate issue. • Ms. Cleveland explained the order. Councilor Stanganelli moved to send bill 2022-157 as presented back to the full City Council with a positive recommendation. He was seconded by Councilor Deschenes. The motion passed unanimously (3 present). 2022-158 An Order to authorize a transfer of $4,000 from City Council Salaries & Wages to City Council Other Expenses. -Mayor Sponsor • Councilor Deschenes recused himself. • Councilor Deschenes spoke as a citizen and shared his support for the order. • Councilor Stanganelli asked if City Clerk Amanda Haggstrom could foresee training needs for herself and her staff in the future. Ms. Haggstrom replied that she could. Councilor Stanganelli moved to send bill 2022-158 as presented back to the full City Council with a positive recommendation. He was seconded by Councilor Hickok. The motion passed unanimously (Deschenes recused). 2022-159 An Order to authorize a transfer of $1,875.00 from Clerk Salaries & Wages to Clerk Other Expenses. -Mayor Sponsor Councilor Stanganelli moved to send bill 2022-159 as presented back to the full City Council with a positive recommendation. He was seconded by Councilor Deschenes. The motion passed unanimously (3 present). 2022-160 An Order to authorize the Mayor to accept and expend a grant in the amount of $29,999.28 from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, Office of Grants and Research FY23 Municipal Road Safety (MRS) Grant Program.- Mayor Sponsor Councilor Stanganelli moved to send bill 2022-160 as presented back to the full City Council with a positive recommendation. He was seconded by Councilor Deschenes. The motion passed unanimously (3 present). Adjourn: Councilor Stanganelli moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:48. He was seconded by Councilor Deschenes. The motion passed unanimously (3 voting members present). Respectfully submitted, Jasmine Looney January 13, 2023 Year to Date Salaries Benchmark - Salaries paid through 10/13/22 29.29% Year to Date Expenses Benchmark - Expenses paid through 10/31/22 33.33% City Budget Expended Unexpended (YTD) % Expended Department (YTD) (YTD) Council Salaries $ 43,818 $ 12,953 $ 30,865 29.56% Council Expenses $ 88,595 $ 20,008 $ 68,587 22.6% Mayor Salaries $ 294,250 $ 82,270 $ 211,980 28.0% Mayor Expenses $ 12,090 $ 3,811 $ 8,279 31.5% Administration & Finance Salaries $ 320,232 $ 92,873 $ 227,359 29.0% Administration & Finance Expenses $ 13,658 $ 1,176 $ 12,482 8.6% Assessors Salaries $ 199,886 $ 55,280 $ 144,606 27.7% Assessors Expenses $ 25,056 $ 7,900 $ 17,156 31.5% Treasurer/Collector Salaries $ 203,754 $ 58,453 $ 145,301 28.7% Treasurer/Collector Expenses $ 33,700 $ 5,215 $ 28,485 15.5% Legal $ 150,000 $ 30,744 $ 119,256 20.5% MIS Salaries $ 346,800 $ 76,362 $ 270,438 22.0% MIS Expenses $ 504,646 $ 159,530 $ 345,116 31.6% Central Supplies $ 62,335 $ 22,417 $ 39,918 36.0% Clerk Salaries $ 194,953 $ 50,117 $ 144,836 25.7% Clerk Expenses $ 3,400 $ 2,155 $ 1,245 63.4% Elections $ 38,478 $ 22,771 $ 15,707 59.2% Conservation Commission $ 50,517 $ 14,855 $ 35,662 29.4% Planning Board $ 5,525 $ 186 $ 5,340 3.4% Zoning Appeals Board $ 525 $ 265 $ 260 50.5% Community/Economic Dvlp. Salaries $ 312,779 $ 79,267 $ 233,512 25.3% Community/Economic Dvlp. Expenses $ 5,200 $ 372 $ 4,828 7.2% Other Assessments $ 7,718 $ 6,718 $ 1,000 87.0% Municipal Buildings $ 166,800 $ 20,430 $ 146,370 12.2% Police Salaries $ 4,179,614 $ 1,166,654 $ 3,012,960 27.9% Police Expenses $ 423,195 $ 194,776 $ 228,419 46.0% Fire Salaries $ 3,527,669 $ 1,112,438 $ 2,415,231 31.5% Fire Expenses $ 363,449 $ 109,652 $ 253,797 30.2% Building Inspection Salaries $ 285,662 $ 90,430 $ 195,232 31.7% Building Inspection Expenses $ 27,426 $ 8,216 $ 19,210 30.0% Weights & Measures $ 4,500 $ - $ 4,500 0.0% Harbormaster $ 32,500 $ 2,458 $ 30,042 7.6% School Department $ 35,032,129 $ 8,820,851 $ 26,211,278 25.2% Regonial School Assessment $ 2,311,691 $ 980,846 $ 1,330,845 42.4% DPW Salaries $ 951,090 $ 226,450 $ 724,640 23.8% DPW Expenses $ 814,849 $ 229,231 $ 585,618 28.1% Snow & Ice $ 250,000 $ 2,107 $ 247,893 0.8% Street Lighting $ 150,000 $ 20,458 $ 129,542 13.6% Expense Report as of 10/31/22  City Budget Expended Unexpended (YTD) % Expended Department (YTD) (YTD) Refuse Collection & Disposal $ 1,470,000 $ 336,545 $ 1,133,455 22.9% Health Inspection Salaries $ 95,000 $ 13,150 $ 81,850 13.8% Health Inspection Expenses $ 13,424 $ 3,988 $ 9,436 29.7% Council on Aging Salaries $ 157,281 $ 38,372 $ 118,909 24.4% Council on Aging Expenses $ 4,700 $ 1,039 $ 3,661 22.1% Youth Services Salaries $ 360,150 $ 128,744 $ 231,406 35.7% Youth Services Expenses $ 42,070 $ 12,323 $ 29,747 29.3% Veterans Salaries $ 4,800 $ 1,600 $ 3,200 33.3% Veterans Expenses $ 373,071 $ 97,677 $ 275,394 26.2% Library Salaries $ 664,006 $ 170,324 $ 493,682 25.7% Library Expenses $ 215,465 $ 104,261 $ 111,204 48.4% Debt Service $ 3,851,693 $ 1,604,798 $ 2,246,896 41.7% State Assessment $ 3,776,077 $ 991,724 $ 2,784,353 26.3% Employee Benefits $ 7,132,078 $ 3,444,222 $ 3,687,856 48.3% Liability Insurance $ 400,167 $ 259,627 $ 140,540 64.9% Other Reserves $ 523,133 $ - $ 523,133 0.0% Transfers $ 289,121 $ 289,121 $ - 100.0% TOTAL GENERAL FUND $ 70,810,725 $ 21,288,206 $ 49,522,519 30.1% (Softright Recon) $70,810,725 $21,288,206 Water Department Salaries $ 1,236,598 $ 348,958 $ 887,640 28.2% Water Department Expenses $ 3,927,237 $ 1,684,544 $ 2,242,693 42.9% Total Water Department Expenses $ 5,163,835 $ 2,033,502 $ 3,130,333 39.4% Water Department Revenue $ 4,010,000 $ 1,670,800 $ (2,339,200) 41.7% Net Profit (Loss) YTD - Water $ (362,702) Sewer Department Salaries $ 743,288 $ 212,612 $ 530,676 28.6% Sewer Department Expenses $ 2,171,641 $ 1,202,472 $ 969,168 55.4% Total Sewer Department Expenses $ 2,914,929 $ 1,415,084 $ 1,499,845 48.5% Sewer Department Revenue $ 2,700,000 $ 1,150,844 $ (1,549,156) 42.6% Net Profit (Loss) YTD - Sewer $ (264,240) Expense Report as of 10/31/22 CLAUSE # OF APPS TION AMOUNT TOTAL WITHOUT TOTAL AMOUNT FROM % OF TOTAL 2022 FY22 DOUBLING GRANTED DOUBLING 17D Senior 21 319.52 6710 6224 -486 -7.81% no income liimit 22(a-f) Veterans 55 400 22000 37320 15320 41.05% more than 10% disabled Para 0 6010.66 6011 6011 0 0.00% 22D Veteran 8 35282.16 35282 35282 0 0.00% died due to service connected disablitly 22E 25 1000 25000 22841 -2159 -9.45% 100% disabled 37A Blind 12 500 6000 5611 -389 -6.93% 41C Senior 26 500 13000 30831 17831 57.83% income/asset limit 147 $ 114,003 $ 144,120 $ 30,117 20.90% We had 147 exemption applications for FY22 Total amount without doubling waws aprox 1 hundred 14 thoused dollars Total amount granted was aprox 1 hundred 44 thousand one hundred dollars Total amount from doubling the exemptions was 30 thousand one hundred dollars