Incorporated Village of Asharoken
Board of Trustees Special Meeting/Work Session on the Tentative Budget
Due to the Corona virus the Board of Trustees held the meeting via Teleconference
Tuesday, March 17, 2020 4:00pm
At the Village Hall
Approximate Attendance (7)
DRAFT
Officer Present:
Greg Letica, Mayor
Officers Present via Teleconference:
Pam Pierce, Deputy Mayor
Melvin Ettinger, Trustee
Laura Burke, Trustee
Ian Jablonski, Trustee
Appointees Present:
Nancy Rittenhouse, Village Clerk
Emily Hayes, Treasurer
The Pledge of Allegiance was said.
Mayor Letica opened up the meeting and confirmed that the officers received the Tentative Budget for fiscal year end 5/31/2021. Today’s meeting is a work session and we will hold a public hearing on April 7th.
Mayor Letica took a roll call:
Mayor Letica Present
Deputy Mayor Pierce Present
Trustee Ettinger Present
Trustee Jablonski Present
Trustee Burke Present
Emily Hayes Present
Nancy Rittenhouse Present
Publication was confirmed. Village Clerk Rittenhouse noted that two emails were sent to all residents communicating the teleconference call work session; the media was notified via email, and the work session was published in November 2019 along with the calendar of meeting dates.
Mayor Letica noted that the tentative budget was emailed to all trustees;
Deputy Mayor Pierce Received and Reviewed
Trustee Ettinger Received and Reviewed
Trustee Jablonski Received and Reviewed
Trustee Burke Received and Reviewed
Mayor Letica noted that the tentative budget is proposing a .4% tax increase. The salary increases are 3% for employees and our Village Attorney. Significant reductions were made in interest and earnings. We are concerned that we will get less in interest & earnings next year. We lowered are mortgage tax and increased our utility tax revenue.
We had increases in contractual police salaries, retirement costs, and Fire/EMS Contract costs, and landfill costs due to recycling increases. We reduced our contingent account; because we increased it last year for police radios. We had a reduction in health insurance costs due to personnel coverage change and a slight decrease in overall costs, marine tour costs were reduced, and police fuel and actuarial costs were reduced as well.
Mayor Letica asked if the trustees would like to review any other the line items or have any additional comments. Trustee Burke asked what it would take to have no property tax increase. She noted that she felt strongly not to raise taxes. Mayor Letica noted that it would take another $8000 to reduce the budget in order to have a flat property tax. Mayor Letica asked the other trustees their thoughts on that recommendation.
Trustee Pierce was happy with the slight increase.
Trustee Ettinger felt similar with the slight increase.
Trustee Burke noted that given the circumstances keeping the property tax flat would be good for our residents.
Treasurer Hayes suggested that we can increase the start income balance to create a flat tax.
Trustee Jablonski noted that he agreed with everything; and he agrees with Treasurer Hayes point.
Mayor Letica noted that if our Treasurer suggests we are able to increase our Start Income then we should take this opportunity to achieve a flat property tax.
Mayor Letica noted that the Village Clerk will raise the Start Income by $7200.00.
Mayor Letica made a motion to increase Start Income by $7200.00, seconded by Trustee Burke.
Trustee Jablonski AYE
Trustee Burke AYE
Trustee Ettinger AYE
Deputy Mayor Pierce AYE
Mayor Letica AYE
Motioned Carried.
Mayor Letica provided an update on the Corona virus.
Trustee Burke asked about the Public Hearing on the budget and if we will be having teleconference call; Mayor Letica noted that we are waiting for confirmation on this. He noted that court sessions have been suspended until May 6th and that proper cleaning protocols must be followed for the police station and the village offices.
Mayor Letica made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Trustee Ettinger.
Trustee Jablonski AYE
Trustee Burke AYE
Trustee Ettinger AYE
Deputy Mayor Pierce AYE
Mayor Letica AYE
Motioned Carried.
The March 17, 2020 Special board meeting of the Board of Trustees was adjourned at approximately 4:33pm.
Signed: _____________________________________________
Nancy Rittenhouse, Village Clerk