Town of Sutton
Sutton Budget Committee

Draft Meeting Minutes for Monday, November 7, 2022 at 6:15 p.m.

 

Present – Bob Wright, Gail Guertin, Samantha Gordon, Bob DeFelice, Mike McManus

Absent – Bruce Kozikowski (excused)

Call to Order – Meeting commenced at 6:20.

Agenda Discussion
Previous Minutes ·         Discussion of the 10/31 minutes is tabled until next meeting.
Elections Budget ·         There is a reduction in this budget because we do not have as many elections next year.

Line Item 2022 2023
101 | Supervisor’s Wages $1,589 $677.25
102 | Ballot Clerks Wages $2,118 $1,280.16
505 | Maintenance
555 | Advertising $650 $650
556 | Training $200 $200
600 | Supplies $200 $200
625 | Postage $200 $200
Totals $4,957 $3,207.41
Town Clerk/Tax Collector Budget ·         There are increases in this budget due to additional hours needed for the Deputy Town Clerk, computer expenses, increased dues and conference expenses, and office supplies needed.

Line Item 2022 2023 Notes
101 | Town Clerk Wages $42,360 $42,360
102 | Deputy Town Clerk/Tax Collector $15,885 $22,464 Increase hours from 15/week to 24/week
313 | Recording Fees $500 $500
341 | Telephone $1,800 $1,800
391 | Mortgage Research $1,500 $1,500
392 | Computer Expenses $3,900 $4,500 Increase due to Avitar costs
393 | Credit/Debit Card Payment $1,500 $1,500
505 | Equipment Maintenance $100 $100
560 | Dues/Conf/Publications $1,500 $2,500 Association dues and conference attendance
620 | Office Supplies $750 $1,000 Ink and misc. office supplies
625 | Postage & Envelopes $5,000 $5,000
630 | Professional Services $200 $200
631 | Mileage Reimbursement $500 $500
Total $76,245 $84,674  

·         Regarding the 392 | Computer Expenses line, they will be following up with Avitar to see what the increase is, and to receive cost forecasts for the future. For historical context, this line item was previously:

  392 | Computer Expenses
2018 Actual $0
2019 Actual $2,631
2020 Budget $2,500
2020 Actual $400
2021 Budget $2,000
2022 Budget $3,900
2023 Budget $4,500

·         The Town Clerk/Tax Collector’s office has been catching up on many new processes. There are some staffing issues that require the additional hours and the support of a third person to manage the workload. Once things are running smoothly, the third person will no longer be needed.

Other Business ·         The Selectboard has decided on a 5% Cost of Living Adjustment this year. The social security administration was 8.7% this year. They have not yet discussed other changes to salaries.

·         At the end of the year, when monies have been raised and appropriated, but not spent, they roll back into the general fund. This year, the Selectboard took an additional $100,000 from the general fund to offset the increase in school and county taxes this year, so that the tax rate in Sutton remained level for the Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 tax bills.

·         Mike previously sold lease vehicles to municipalities. The state had an agreement for 7 year leases with maintenance contracts, with guaranteed estimated residual value at the end of the lease – and at the end of the lease they could buy it for $1. This gave them lower upfront costs, 7 years of predictable expenses, and at the end of the lease they could keep the vehicle for the rest of its lifespan or roll the residual value into the next lease or purchase. Municipalities also had access to this opportunity, and this may be an avenue to level vehicle expenses if needed.

Upcoming Schedule ·         11/14/22 – Next week we will discuss the Library

 

Next Meeting – The next meeting of the budget committee will be on 11/14/22 at 6:15 at the fire station.

Adjournment – Gail motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:43 p.m. Bob W. seconded. Unanimously approved.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Samantha Gordon