City Council

Minutes approved on 7/22/24 by the City Council. CITY OF LACONIA - CITY COUNCIL BUDGET MEETING City Hall - Armand A. Bolduc City Council Chamber 6:00 P.M. 6/10/2024 - Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Hosmer called the meeting to order at 6:03 PM. 2. SALUTE TO THE FLAG Mayor Hosmer led the salute to the flag. 3. RECORDING SECRETARY Katie Gargano, City Clerk 4. ROLL CALL Clerk Gargano called the role of the following councilors: Councilor Cheney, Councilor Soucy, Councilor Hoffman, Councilor Haynes, Councilor Bogert and Councilor Felch. Mayor Hosmer confirmed all council members were in attendance and a quorum was established. 5. STAFF IN ATTENDANCE Kirk Beattie, City Manager; Glenn Smith, Finance Director 6. PRESENTATIONS 6.A. Department Budget Presentation Finance Department - Glenn Smith, Director Director Smith presented his FY 25 budget to the council. The Finance department is made up of thirteen functional areas. Training- NH Government Finance Association, Society of Human Resource Management, National Inst. Of Public Procurement. HR/ Recruitment- City wide vacancy rate of 11.17%. The city has hired 21 full-time and 3 permanent part-time employees this fiscal year. Recruitment efforts include Huot career fair, Belknap Mall career fair, outreach to Community College and in early discussions of forming a Public Works program at the Huot. Retention efforts include highlighting employee benefits through workshops/training on health benefit options, retirement system, investment options and wellness benefits. Information Technology- Proposed budget includes $850,000 technology bond that will not impact the budget until FY26. This bond will cover server replacement, camera upgrades, finance system,  Retention efforts include highlighting employee benefits through workshops/training on health benefit options, retirement system, investment options and wellness benefits. Information Technology- Proposed budget includes $850,000 technology bond that will not impact the budget until FY26. This bond will cover server replacement, camera upgrades, finance system, cyber security, av system and ect. Treasury- interest on the general fund deposits have almost doubled since last fiscal year. Anticipated Grants- 17 police grants ($327,200) and 2 public works grants ($1,945,412). General Fund Debt Retired bonds: 2003 Library renovation & addition, 2013 Smith Track/Weirs Community Park New in FY24: Equipment and Maintenance New in FY 25/26: Technology bond and airport financing Overall decrease of 2.14%. Welfare- Fulfills the city’s legal obligation under RSA 165 to assist persons who are poor and unable to support themselves using criteria and standards defined by council in the welfare guidelines. Monthly average welfare assistance has skyrocketed. Many of the assistance expenses are rent and shelter. Tax Increment Financing Districts- Downtown: Recommended increment $250,000 Lakeport: Recommended increment $25,000 Weirs: Recommended increment $230,000 Director Smith asked there are any questions Councilor Bogert questioned where the money comes from for the TIF districts. Director Smith stated that it comes from taxes. Councilor Soucy questioned why there is a difference between the TIF districts. Mayor Hosmer asked if Director Smith could provide what the obligations of each TIF district and show what is drawing down the TIF funds. 6.B. Department Budget Presentation Administration Department - Kirk Beattie, City Manager Manager Beattie presented the administrative portion of the budget to the Council. Administration- 5.4% increase in budget of $14,884. Assessing- Increase of $14,765 for salary increases and outside contract with Whitney Consulting Group, LLC. Conservation commission- level funded at $4,600 Legal- Legal funded at $99,000 Records- City Clerk: increase of $1,336 Elections: increase of $800 with plans for new voting  Conservation commission- level funded at $4,600 Legal- Legal funded at $99,000 Records- City Clerk: increase of $1,336 Elections: increase of $800 with plans for new voting machines Licensing- decrease $1,181 Mayor Hosmer stated that there is always activity at the City Clerks office and that there is a steady stream of customers, and the office staff is always efficient and professional. 7. Any other business that may come before the Council 8. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Hosmer adjourned the meeting at 6:54 PM. Respectfully submitted, Katie Gargano, City Clerk