Budget and Finance Subcommittee

City of Amesbury Office of the City Clerk 62 Friend St. Amesbury, MA 01913 By City Clerk at 3:32 pm, Apr 12, 2023 MEETING NOTICE POSTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF M.G.L. CHAPTER 30A §§18-25 Version 7.1.10 City Council Budget & Finance Committee Meeting Tuesday, April 18, 2023, at 7:30 PM City Hall Auditorium- 62 Friend Street Topics for Discussion / Agenda: Roll Call Minutes for Approval: March 21, 2023 Communications & Updates · Monthly Financial Reports from CFO Public Comment 2023-032 An Order to fund the employment agreement between the City of Amesbury and the International Association of Firefighters Local 1783, I.A.F.F., dated July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2025. -Mayor Sponsor Summary: This appropriation will transfer $284,532.76 from Free Cash to the Fire Department Personal Services to adjust the approved FY23 Budget in order to reflect salary adjustments and the cost of the FY 2023 portion of the 3-year labor contract between the City of Amesbury and the International Association of Firefighters Local 1783, I.A.F.F. Pursuant to Chapter 95, Section 95-2 of the City Ordinances, the initial request for appropriations for funding of a labor contract agreement must be submitted by the Mayor as a unique measure separately from the annual operating budget and be accompanied by a copy of the contract for which funding is requested. 2023-035 An Order to appropriate $200,000 from Sewer Retained Earnings to Sewer Other Expenses. - Mayor Sponsor Summary: This order requests an appropriation from the Sewer Retained Earnings to cover operating expenses in the Sewer fund. These funds will be used to cover the increased cost of electricity and other operating expenses (i.e. repairs & maintenance of equipment, vehicle supplies, etc.). The Sewer Retained Earnings balance is $1,211,837. 2023-036 An Order to request the City Council vote to adopt an additional 2% Cost-of-Living (COLA) increase for FY 2023 for all eligible retirees and survivors in the Amesbury retirement system. -Mayor Sponsor Summary: On November 16, 2022, the Governor signed Chapter 269 of the Acts of 2022 into law. This act provides the local retirement systems with a local option to increase the Cost-of-Living (COLA) for FY 2023 up to 5%, based on the amount specified pursuant to MGL Chapter 32 Section 103. At the January 26, 2022 monthly meeting of the Amesbury Retirement Board, members of the Board unanimously voted 1 to grant an additional 2% COLA increase to all eligible retirees and survivors, effective July 1, 2022. This COLA increase to 5% is a one-time adjustment, after which the maximum returns to 3% beginning July 1, 2023. The total cost of this adjustment is $556,038 and will be amortized through 2036 with payments beginning in FY 2026. 2023-037 An Ordinance to adopt a Schedule of Fees for the Harbormaster’s Office, which is a function of the Amesbury Police Department. -Mayor Sponsor Summary: The intention of this ordinance is to adopt a Harbormaster’s Office Schedule of Fees to help fund City services. Well-designed charges and fees service reimburse the City for the costs of particularized services and promote service efficiency. It is expected that these fees will be periodically reviewed and updated. 2023-038 An Ordinance to update various fees for the Treasurer/Collector Department and adopt a Schedule of Fees. -Mayor Sponsor Summary: The intention of this ordinance is to update the Treasurer/Collector Department’s Schedule of Fees to help fund City services. Well-designed charges and fees serve to reimburse the City for the costs or particularized services and promote service efficiency. It is expected that these fees will be periodically reviewed and updated. 2023-039 An Order to authorize the Mayor to accept and expend FY23 formula grant funding for the Amesbury Council on Aging from the Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA) in the amount of $54,660.00. -Mayor Sponsor Summary: This formula grant funding from the Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA) is issued on an annual basis to support all Massachusetts Councils on Aging. Funding is to be used to support older adults, and the yearly award is calculated at $12 per older adult with a minimum contract amount of $6,000.00. EOEA’s allocation is based on data provided from UMass Donahue Institute’s 2020 Elder 60+ Population, which is 4,555 adults in the City of Amesbury. 2023-040 An Ordinance to update various Special Event usage fees and amend the Amesbury Code of Ordinances Chapter 396 Special Events. -Mayor Sponsor Summary: The intention of this ordinance is to update usage fees for special events in the City of Amesbury. These fees were adopted in Bill No. 2005-104. Well-designed charges and fees reimburse the City for the costs of particularized services and promote service efficiency. It is expected that these fees will be periodically reviewed and updated. Adjourn Jasmine Looney April 12, 2023 2