City Council

October 29, 2020 CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS Budget Workshop City Hall 474 Broadway 6:00 PM 6:00 PM CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL SALUTE TO FLAG PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD / 15 MINUTES PRESENTATIONS CONSENT AGENDA MAYOR’S DEPARTMENT ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT FINANCE DEPARTMENT 1. Discussion: 2021 City Budget PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT SUPERVISORS ADJOURN Budget Workshop 10/29/20 October 29, 2020 CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS Budget Workshop City Hall 6:00 PM PRESENT: Meg Kelly, Mayor Michele Madigan, Commissioner of Finance John Franck, Commissioner of Accounts Anthony Scirocco, Commissioner of DPW Robin Dalton, commissioner of DPS STAFF PRESENT: Lisa Shields, Deputy Mayor Deirdre Ladd, Deputy Commissioner, Finance Maire Masterson, Deputy Commissioner, Accounts Joe O’Neill, Deputy Commissioner, DPW Eileen Finneran, Deputy Commissioner, DPS Vincent DeLeonardis RECORDING OF PROCEEDING The proceedings of this meeting were taped for the benefit of the secretary. Because the minutes are not a verbatim record of the proceedings, the minutes are not a word-for-word transcript. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Kelly called the meeting to order at 5:58 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENT Mayor Kelly said the public comment period is limited to a total of 15 minutes and individuals are limited to two minutes. Mayor Kelly opened the public comment period at 5:59 p.m. Sam Brewer of Saratoga Springs thanked the City Council for keeping meetings open to the public. He was reminded today of the affects of the pandemic when he has his care serviced and the auto shop was empty. He encouraged the City Council to be creative with revenue ideas. Mayor Kelly closed the public comment period at 6:02 p.m. Page 2 of 4 Budget Workshop 10/29/20 FINANCE DEPARTMENT Discussion: 2021 City Budget Commissioner Madigan stated this is the fourth budget workshop of 2020. Time is set aside for the Department of Public Works. She reviewed the budget process as done at the beginning of each Budget Workshop from the call letter to vote. She also reviewed the revenue stream, or lack thereof, for 2020 and the expected 2021 revenue stream. COVID has crippled the 2020 revenue stream and is expected to do the same in 2021. Revenue projection is $12 million less than the adopted 2020 budget. Revenues for 2021 are estimated to be $6.8 million less than the adopted 2020 budget. Today she received an e-mail advising sales tax is down by 56% for September this year over September 2019. They are looking at a 6% property tax increase in 2021, which will generate $949,000 in revenue. We ended 2019 with $8.4 million dollars in the ‘rainy day fund’. Most of that has been depleted trying to keep up with changes in 2020. Department of Public Works Commissioner Madigan advised the proposed 2021 comprehensive budget for the Department of Public Works is $8,553,233, which is $2,710,000 less than 2020. Wage and social security lines have been reduced by 10%. The appropriation for each labor line is further reduced an additional 25%. The funding for trail maintenance has been reduced to zero, the yearly tree planting appropriation has been reduced by $30,000, no new trucks will be purchased, and no money will be budgeted for CHIPS until we received notification of aid. Commissioner Scirocco stated the Department of Public Works provides services 365 days per year 24 hours per day. They maintain the City streets and public right-of-ways. They are also responsible for utilities (i.e. water and sewer) in the City. Residents, businesses and visitors have come to rely on these services. Deputy Commissioner Joe O’Neill advised DPW furloughed 25 employees due to COVID and returned 7% of their operating budget. They have saved this City this year close to $800,000. Residents should and will expect to receive services from DPW such as snow plowing, sanding, etc. If this budget is passed, DPW will have a difficult time supplying dump trucks with sand as a NYS drivers’ license is required to operate that vehicle. A second person is required to ride in that truck as well. Mike Veitch, business manager, advised with the proposed comprehensive budget, they expect to lose 30 positions. Streets and highways would see a reduction of 11 of those positions causing reduced services and an increase in overtime costs. They expect to see a reduction of 6 employees in the recreation area. There would be a decrease of 4 employees at the City garage; a decrease of 2 employees on the tree crew; a decrease in 3 off-street parking maintenance, transfer station and compost yard; and a decrease of 3 people in City Hall and the Canfield Casino. The water and sewer fund balances are healthy. He presented revenue generating ideas such as having DPW perform labor on a capital project that could save $3.5 million dollars; an interfund loan from the water and sewer budgets to the operating budget; and increase fees and other services provided. This could result in an additional $200,000 - $215,000 in revenue. Commissioner Scirocco stated the budget as proposed will result in a reduction in services and workforce. We recognize the seriousness of COVID and its economic impact. They are ready to more with less but it is not possible with the comprehensive budget proposed. They presented ideas to increase revenues. Commissioner Madigan thanked them for the ideas and would like to discuss these ideas further with them. We may be in a situation where we have limited services and hours. We will be meeting more about the revenue ideas. Page 3 of 4 Budget Workshop 10/29/20 Commissioner Dalton thanked DPW for the spirit in which they have been working throughout this budget season. The survival of DPW and DPS is tied together. We need to keep the department as whole as possible. Commissioner Franck stated he appreciates the additional revenue mentioned. Mayor Kelly thanked the DPW team for their presentation and ideas. Commissioner Madigan stated this is the final scheduled budget workshop. They may need more. Each department has described its needs and sacrifices. We will do our best to come to consensus. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mayor Kelly adjourned the meeting at 6:36 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Ribis Clerk Approved: 11/17/2020 Vote: 5 - 0 Page 4 of 4