Budget Coffee, February 26

Sorry for not posting this earlier; I was out of town, which shouldn't have been the problem it was. These are Astrid Helfant's notes from the Wednesday's "budget coffee". The news is very slightly improved. I'm puzzled, though, in that I don't see a discussion of the 2.5 straightforwardly financial options:

  (1) refinancing debt, some of which was incurred with higher interest rates;
  (2) Ken's bond to fund the natural gas installation, so that we benefit immediately instead of with a year's lag;
  (2.5) Ferdinand's extension of (2), to include cogeneration following the example of Madison-Oneida BOCES.

Anyway:

Diana opened meeting at 7pm. Tonight's numbers are a bit better. Matt Crumb was given the floor.

Three handouts. 5 year GEA history. Four year GEA history - Matt added a fifth year. Over 3 million dollars total taken. 

Next document. 2.21% allowable tax levy increase. In dollars 142,832.

Matt discussed ERS and TRS.

Inflation rate: roughly 2%

Pilot agreement - none

Matt brought up that we will have to decrease the tax levy for next year as a result of a debt being paid off. I'm hoping someone else can pitch in here explaining this concept a bit. 

Colgate used to pay $200,0000 and that amount will continue. The additional $300,000 was just meant for three years. The last year of that coming up 2014 2015. Since this is a non-binding payment is not considered to be part of the pilot payments. 

Last document. We are assuming a debt of close to $200,000 for upcoming budget year. All employees salaries are in negotiations. Health insurance is going up. More specialty drugs and more high expense health cases. 8.5% increase.

Personal changes through attrition: -$60,000

Projected deficit: 1.5% wage increase -> $140,000 deficit

2.0% wage increase -> $166,000

2.5% wage increase -> $192,000

See document for additional numbers.

Staffing cuts:

Total cuts 3-4 fte instead of 4-5 fte

Hire 0.7 art teacher instead of 1.0 = 0.3 fte savings

Morning and afternoon pre-k instead of two mornings classes

0.5 fte savings

One of the long term subs would be released as a result of this pre-k change. That's almost 2 fte.

The remaining 1.5 cut still will be decided. Not ready for release yet.

Also some savings through new life christian school.

Astrid asked some questions about GEA and 2% versus increasing tax levy beyond 2% and when the board would decide this. April was the answer. And no we cannot count on a GEA cut this year.

March 13 Thursday from 4:30-9pm. Budget work-shop meetings. To be held at elementary library. 

Stephanie asked about school bus purchases. The answer: 2 per year historically and now it's only one per year. 

Transportation aid is the highest.

Ferdinand: Time table for budget versus contract negotiations? Basically best guess. Budget calendar is only what is certain - The May deadline vote. 

Lorna Wilson: Are these deficits normal? Diana: normal for the last 4-5 years.....

Ellen: How knowledgeable is public about tax cap bribe? Matt: I don't know....

After this we discusses off topic about state testing and the anxiety this creates among students.

End of the meeting around 8:30pm