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

Dennis J. Milbourne

Solicitor Romano and Clerk Chabot were also present.

4. GENERAL BUSINESS

A. Council President deMedeiros – Discussion and possible vote on FY25 Unified Budget Ordinance

Council President deMedeiros distributed and reviewed financial information related to ARPA funds, casino gaming funds, general fund, and capital reserve. The council discussed Capital - Gen Government of $154,028 and whether the other funds could be used to pay off the ladder truck and street light conversion. The council discussed state aid for education, including recent changes and questioned recent changes to the school proposed budget. She mentioned that any changes would need to be resent and approved by the state.

Councilor Paull mentioned the school have not touched their fund balance and we still cannot go over the cap.

Councilor Edwards V commented that $546,0000 would be needed to keep Fort Barton open, based on recent school committee meetings. To reach that number, back out the capital expense of $285,000 for schoolbooks and computers from the school budget and apply the $154,028 from the municipal capital to the school budget, that would leave a delta of $261,000 and we’re very close to reaching that number.

Councilor Janick wants to set the record straight that casino funds is used for one time capital. She is all for working to make sure our kids have what they need. She wants to know sooner rather than later what the impact is next year from the funding formula: doesn’t want any surprises next year.

Councilor Edwards reviewed his list of budget item reductions and increases in revenue items by $170,000. With these changes, there would be no changes to the tax rate and $324,028 would be added to the school budget. This would increase the MOE and next year facing another reduction in state aid, maybe another $500,000. Casino funds expended win the year following receipt. After being questioned, he had not discussed the revenue increases with the town administrator.

Councilor Burk suggested adjusting the non-local property tax revenue by the amount that was passed in the state budget. Treasurer Saurette confirmed that the number published on June 7^th was $5,850,781 as our new state aid number.

Councilor Burk motioned to increase Non-Local Property (Education) Revenue to reflect the final state budget from $5,717,767 to $$5,850,781 and adjust the Education proposed allocation total from $33,608,214 to $33,741,228. Councilor Janick seconded the motion. The motion unanimously passed.

Council Vice President Burk commented that the difference from last year’s total allocation to this year’s proposed allocation is $523,118 and thinks we should cover that amount. He is not comfortable with adjusting the revenue estimates without input and is not willing to go over the 4% cap and not willing to go above where we are in terms of the tax rate (around 3%). We need to find it whether from the general fund or some other mechanism.

Council President deMedeiros is also not comfortable with any revenue increases. Whoever is on the Town Council and School Committee need to be conscious of what’s going on with the state; state aid is going down and we need a plan.

Councilor Edwards V motioned to decrease FY25 Capital – Gen Government from $154,028 to $0 and increase the FY25 local contribution of the schools from the highlighted 2% of $546,872 to $807,872 which represents a $261,000 increase and a total of $28,151,448 with state aid of $5,850,781 for a total of $34,002,229, which would lead to a total levy of real and tangible property of $43,094,109 and represents an $11.10 per thousand tax rate. Councilor Paull seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-1, with Councilor Burk opposed.

Councilor Burk motioned to increase Education Operations by $262,117, and to increase revenue by taking an additional $262,117 from the General Fund. Councilor Edwards V seconded the motion. The motion failed 1-5, with Councilor Burk in favor and Councilors deMedeiros, Edwards V, Edwards, Janick, and Paull opposed.

Councilor Edwards V motioned to increase revenue by taking an additional $100,000 from the General Fund from $1.5M to $1.6M, adding $100,000 to the $807,872. Councilor Burk seconded the motion. The motion unanimously passed.

Councilor Edwards V made a tentative motion for the FY25 Budget line by line as follows: Capital General Government is zero, Education is $34,102,229, Total Operations is $58,591,791, Local Property will stay the same $43,094,109 which represents a $11.10 per thousand tax rate, total increase year over year budget of 3.16%, with the schools at approximately 3.5%. Councilor Paull seconded the motion. The motion unanimously passed.

5. ADJOURNMENT

Councilor Burk motioned to adjourn the meeting. Councilor Paull seconded the motion. The motion unanimously passed. The meeting adjourned at 10:11 a.m.

A True Copy.

ATTEST______________________________________

                        Joan B. Chabot, Town Clerk