1. CALL TO ORDER

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG

Council President deMedeiros called the meeting to order with the pledge of allegiance to the flag.

3. ROLL CALL

Present

Absent
Joseph C. Perry                  Dennis J. Milbourne

Administrator Cotta, Clerk Chabot, and Deputy Clerk Veegh were also present

4. GENERAL BUSINESS

A. Council President deMedeiros – Discussion and possible final votes on School and all Departments

    FY24 Budgets, FY24 Revenue Estimates, and possible resolutions

School Superintendent Dr. Peter Sanchioni and Finance Director Amy Roderick provided ESSER funds analysis and Fund Balances as of June 30, 2022. The ESSER funds were provided by the Federal government due to learning loss during the pandemic. They reviewed and answered council questions on how the ESSER I, ESSER II and ESSER III funds were executed and allocated. Due to a structural deficit, these funds were used to supplant what was already in the budget and brought in programs that were required under the grant. There was a discussion on special needs services. They gave a brief overview of their fund balances. They noted that state aid is being reduced by approximately $313K for this year and expressed the impact (6 layoffs) with less than a 3% increase for the schools. Ms. Roderick will provide state aid formula backup information at a later date.

Discussion followed regarding the general fund withdrawal amount, possible increase for the schools, and tax increase impact for medium house value $360K with 14.97 tax rate.

Councilor Burk motioned to approve a three percent increase in local aid to the school district for FY24 and taking $1,000,000 out of excess in the general fund for supporting the entire budget. Seconded by Councilor Edwards V, the motion passed by vote of 4-1, with Councilor Edwards opposed.

Council briefly reviewed the Legal Expenses (years 2015 through 4/30/2023) document provided by the Treasurer as requested by the Council. The average does show Legal Expenses request is reasonable.

Council members discussed the Budget Committee’s recommended budget resolutions and reviewed the Town Council FY23 resolutions for applicability to FY24.

Councilor Burk motioned to approve the Budget Committee’s resolution for FY24 as presented, for Resolutions 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. Seconded by Councilor Edwards V, the motion passed unanimously.

Councilor Edwards V motioned to approve Town Council Resolutions 1, 2, and 3, with dates appropriately updated. Seconded by Councilor Edwards, the motion passed unanimously.

Councilor Edwards V motioned to approve Grand Total Expenses of $57,702,555, which encompasses Total Municipal Expenses of $23,284,181, Total Capital Expenses of $154,028, and Total School Appropriation of $34,264,346, which results in a 3.35% on the budget. Seconded by Councilor Burk, the motion passed unanimously.

Administrator Cotta reviewed the requested update to the FY24 Proposed Revenue with the additional of $310,000 for new item Transfer IN Pay-as-you-throw and a $5,000 increase to Prorated Property Tax.

Councilor Edwards V motioned to approve the Total Revenue for no-property tax of $14,947,366 and a budgeted General Fund withdrawal of $1,000,000 for a grand total of $15,947,366. Seconded by Councilor Janick, the motion passed unanimously.

Administrator Cotta noted that Tax Assessor Robert recommended $20,000 in abatements which is a decrease of $5,000 from last year.

B. Discussion and possible vote on the FY 24 Preliminary Budget Ordinance and setting the public

    hearing date for the proposed unified budget ordinance in accordance with Section 301 (b)9 of the

    Tiverton Home Rule Charter

Council scheduled the public hearing for June 5, 203, at 7:00 PM at an appropriate venue based on availability.

Administrator Cotta began to update the Proposed Preliminary Unified Budget Ordinance. Councilor Edwards V suggested that the Administrator and Solicitor could review and update the ordinance.

Councilor Edwards V motioned to have the Solicitor and Administrator complete the highlighted portions of the ordinance in the proper format and provide the Clerk the disclosure for the public hearing. Seconded by Councilor Burk, the motion passed unanimously.

5. ADJOURNMENT

Councilor Edwards V motioned to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Councilor Burk, the motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 10:36 AM.

A True Copy.

ATTEST________________________________

                    Joan B. Chabot, Town Clerk