City Council

November 30, 2020 CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS City Council Meeting City Hall 474 Broadway 6:30 PM 6:30 PM – P.H. – 2021 Proposed Comprehensive Budget 6:30 PM CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL SALUTE TO FLAG PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD / 15 MINUTES PRESENTATION CONSENT AGENDA MAYOR’S DEPARTMENT 1. Nothing at this time ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT 1. Nothing at this time. FINANCE DEPARTMENT 1. Discussion and Vote: 2021 Budget – City of Saratoga Springs PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT 1. Nothing at this time. PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT 1. Nothing at this time. SUPERVISORS 1. Nothing at this time. ADJOURN City Council Meeting 11/30/2020 November 30, 2020 CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS City Council Meeting City Hall 474 Broadway 6:30 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 of Finance Joe O’Neill, Deputy Commissioner, DPW Eileen Finneran, Deputy Commissioner, DPS Vincent DeLeonardis EXCUSED: Maire Masterson, Deputy Commissioner, Accounts Matthew Veitch, Supervisor Tara Gaston, Supervisor 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. PUBLIC HEARING 2021 Proposed Comprehensive Budget Mayor Kelly opened the public hearing at 6:28 p.m. Commissioner Madigan advised this public hearing will be closed tonight to take a vote on the 2021 proposed comprehensive budget. Lois Celeste, director of the Senior Center stated she understands there is going to be some money re- instated in this budget. They don’t have the same abilities this year to raise money and this year is the year they really need the money. It is a safety issue for our seniors, the most vulnerable group. Cuts to the budget for them means cuts to services for the seniors. This agency has existed for 60 years in this community. Commissioner Madigan stated today is November 30th and the last day to pass the budget. They will continue to look at the budget throughout December. Page 2 of 4 City Council Meeting 11/30/2020 Mayor Kelly closed the public hearing at 6:34 p.m. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Kelly called the meeting to order at 6:34 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 6:34 p.m. No one spoke. Mayor Kelly closed the public comment period at 6:34 p.m. Mayor Kelly announced City Hall offices are closed to the public until further notice. City Court will remain open. The City Council meeting scheduled for tomorrow night will have limited access and starting with the December 15, 2020 City Council meeting, all Council meetings will take place via Zoom. FINANCE DEPARTMENT Discussion and Vote: 2021 Budget – City of Saratoga Springs (20-413) Commissioner Madigan advised they experienced its worst financial spring and summer in its history. The original budget proposed showed a $7 million dollar difference between 2020 and 2021. The future is looking different since the election. Revenue challenges may be eased next year in the spring and summer. Federal stimulus is more realistic and has been included in the 2021 budget for balancing purposes. The proposed amended budget presented for this evening is a budget she feels they all can support. The goals of this budget include: continue excellent City services; maintain City fiscal health; support for all City employees; and manage fiscal year 2021 and into the future pandemic economy and recovery. Changes from the budget proposed in October include: $9.5 million in sales tax; state aid is being reinstated at $1.65 million; leaving VLT aid at $1.16 million (no change); mortgage tax at $1.55 million (no change); federal aid $5 million dollars – this aid will act as a balancing item; sale of real property of $1 million dollars; include $215,000 from NYRA; Recreation Department is adding $1 million in revenue; $8 million dollars in revenues due to increased department fees; and the use of $124,000 in unassigned fund balance. The tax rate remains the same as presented in October at a 6% tax increase. Most expense increases in the amended budget being presented tonight are due to wages and social security being restored at 2020 contractual amounts and budgeted for a full year. The tax rate for the inside district is $6.4331 (5.97% change) and the tax rate for the outside district is $6.3714 (6.03% change). The 2020 adopted budget was approximately $49 million dollars; the 2021 comprehensive budget was approximately $42 million dollars; and the 2021 proposed budget (amended) is approximately $46,225,836. Changes can be made to the budget as revenue and expenses require. Commissioner Madigan moved and Commissioner Dalton seconded that the City Council adopt the 2021 City budget – all funds- as included with the agenda. Mayor Kelly thanks the entire Council and staff for the creative ideas and putting together this budget. She appreciates all the current staff is included in the 2021 budget. She will be bringing fees forward at the next meeting. Page 3 of 4 City Council Meeting 11/30/2020 Commissioner Scirocco stated the water and sewer budgets are still as originally proposed. These budgets include the original salary and position reductions that are no longer under consideration. He will work to make adjustments in the coming months. Commissioner Dalton stated there was no way they could have prepared for this budget. She thanked the unions for working with them. Commissioner Franck stated 2021 is going to be a recession type year and then we are going to see an expediential rebound. He wishes they can do like the County and start the budget process a month later so they would have more information/numbers and pass the budget by December 31st. Commissioner Madigan stated she would like to look into changing that in the Charter with a Council vote. Ayes - All ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mayor Kelly adjourned the meeting at 7:03 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Ribis Clerk Approved: 12/15/2020 Vote: 5 - 0 Page 4 of 4