STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS COUNTY OF NEWPORT
The Town Council of the Town of Tiverton, County and State aforesaid held a Special Council Meeting on Saturday, the 29th day of February 2020 at 9:00 a.m. at the Tiverton Town Hall, 343 Highland Rd.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Council President Hilton, Vice-President deMedeiros, Councilor Clarke, Councilor Cook, Councilor Driggs and Councilor Perry
Councilor Edwards was absent
Acting Town Administrator/Town Clerk Mello was also present
Council President Hilton called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
OPEN SESSION
1. Overall Discussion, Review, and Potential Preliminary Votes on FY 2020/2021 Budget, Including Individual Line Items and Capital Expenses as Previously Submitted by Town Administrator
Included but not limited to Individual Line Items, Capital Expenses and Revenue
Clerk provided updated spread sheet dated February 25th highlighted in red any preliminary budget changes discussed in prior Council special meetings on budget. All dept head salary increases have been removed and placed in Council contingency account (17k) and staff salaries are in appropriate accounts.
Council President Hilton began with brief summary. Industrial Park infrastructure account has current balance of 407k. 300k was appropriated for current year not yet spent leaving 107k additional. General Fund unrestricted balance per auditors at 3,319,683 of which 1.6 million is needed for required 3%. 17k has been placed in contingency account for merit increases in department head salaries. That will eventually be placed in a Town Administrator account. Performance evaluations with goals and objections would be used. Maximum of 2%.
Motion was made by Councilor Driggs, seconded by Councilor Clarke to place all department head salary increases in one account. Motion passed unanimously.
Councilor Driggs motioned to level fund the Library request. Seconded by Councilor Cook. Motion failed 3 to 3. Councilors Clarke, deMedeiros and Hilton opposed.
Councilor deMedeiros motioned to fund the Library at 587k. Seconded by Councilor Perry. Motion passed 4 to 2. Councilors Cook and Driggs opposed.
Councilor deMedeiros motioned 6,399 for beach expense. Seconded by Councilor Clarke. Motion passed 5-1. Councilor Driggs opposed.
Councilor deMedeiros motioned to accept all changes preliminarily made to this point as discussed and indicated on spread sheet distributed today and dated February 25th. Seconded by Councilor Driggs, motion passed unanimously
Discussion on possible reductions
Councilor Hilton motioned to accept the numerous operating expense reduction discussed. Seconded by Councilor deMedeiros.
Discussion on reducing other department supply accounts. Some may be small amounts but fair across the budget.
Motion withdrawn
Councilor Hilton motioned to accept the municipal operating budget at 22,252,971 representing a 2.23% increase allowing for any minor discrepancies when final tally reviewed by Treasurer and Administrator and forward to Administrator per Charter Section 301. Seconded by Councilor deMedeiros, motion carried 3 to 2. Councilor Driggs and Cook opposed.
Discussion regarding general fund withdrawal to be applied toward recycling center. Further reductions discussed.
Ten-minute break
Further reductions in capital expense discussed
Discussed capital needs for Library
Councilor Hilton motioned 15k in capital for Library repairs. Seconded by Councilor Cook, motion carried 4 to 1. Councilor Driggs opposed.
Councilor deMedeiros motioned to approve the increases and decreases under capital items discussed. Seconded by Councilor Hilton motion carried unanimously.
2. Town Administrator – Vote to Ratify Proposed Three-Year Contract with Teamsters, July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2022
Councilor deMedeiros motioned to ratify the proposed Three-Year Contract with Teamsters, July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2022 as presented. Seconded by Councilor Perry motion passed unanimously.
3. Approval of Agreement Between Town of Tiverton and Acting Town Administrator Nancy L. Mello
This item will be placed on next Council agenda.
Councilor deMedeiros motioned to continue, seconded by Councilor Cook. Motion passed unanimously.
4. Final Votes on FY 2020/2021 Budget, including individual line items, capital expenses as previously submitted by Town Administrator and Revenue.
Voted
5. Vote to send Final Municipal Budget Request (excluding Town Treasurer and Town Clerk) to the Town Administrator per Charter Section 301. (73 days prior to Financial Town Referendum)
6. Vote to submit Final Revenue estimates to the Town Administrator per Charter Section 301. (73 days prior to Financial Town Referendum)
Councilor deMedeiros motioned to accept the projected estimates on revenue of 16,319,503 and a 600k withdrawal from the general fund. Seconded by Councilor Cook, motion passed unanimously.
Councilor deMedeiros voted to submit the estimated projected revenue numbers to the Town Administrator under Charter Section 301 upon final review and allowing for any minor discrepancies. Seconded by Councilor Cook, motion passed unanimously.
There being no further business, Council President Hilton thanked all the Council for their hard work and tough choices to keep municipal budget request under 2%.
ADJOURNMENT:
Councilor Perry motioned to adjourn, seconded by Councilor Edwards. Motion passed unanimously.
The meeting adjourned 10:00 p.m.
A True Copy.
ATTEST: _______________________________
Nancy L. Mello, Town Clerk