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Health & Fitness

Board of Finance Meeting November 19, 2013 My Comments


Board of Finance Hearing November 19, 2013

I am concerned that this board did not advertise that “Public Audience” in the Board of Finance agenda tonight was included to receive concerns from the public prior to the budget process. Input from the public is a very important part of budget process and placing a non- descript public audience doesn’t alert the public to the process.

The Board of Finance should be aware that the Social Security cost of living increase is 1.5% this is a major indicator for budgeting.   Our budgets should reflect that The Hartford, our highest taxpayer is no longer going to maintain their presence in town, leaving the Grand List lower by over $1.7 million. The State is showing a deficit in revenue and the home values have decreased with the last revaluation. These are serious economic indicators. The mill rate in Simsbury is higher than the surrounding towns, leaving many people deciding to purchase homes in adjoining  towns with education equal to or better than Simsbury. Not only is Simsbury geographically undesirable and not in close proximity to highways but with a high tax rate we cannot compete with surrounding towns.  Economic Development is a challenge. Since the  Board of Education is projecting a decline in enrollment their budget should reflect the losses by reconfiguring the schools to adjust to lower enrollment. I would suggest that we have a school with Pre- Kindergarten to second grade. Schools should be reconfigured as the enrollment decreases, with a long term projection of a school closing. With decreasing enrollment the administrative staff should be reduced.  The boards should reject the 2.25% salary increase for the Board of Education administrative staff. This is inconsistent with all economic indicators.

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The Board of Finance should not increase our long-term debt by approving new projects that would require high overhead expenses for bonding.  The board of Finance should not use the general fund to pay for shortfalls in the pension fund or to pay for other projects after the budget is approved.  The General Fund should be used for catastrophic events, not for off line budgeting. 

The golf course is losing money and is not self-sustaining.  Many towns have contracted out their golf courses so the taxpayers would not have the burden to pay for a majority of non-residents’ using the golf course. The Performing Arts Commission has produced a budget without adding any imputed costs for the time spent from the Public Works Department, Recreation Department, Finance Department and Administrative staff. The costs for time spent from town employees should be reflected in the budget.  This process has been instituted with the WPCA.

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The Town’s charter now has a First Selectman with greatly reduced responsibilities.  The six figure salary should be reduced to reflect the diminished responsibilities. The taxpayers should not support Main Street Partnership, a non-profit organization or other non-profit organizations.

It is alleged that the town did not receive any applications for Finance Director. Sean Kimball does not have the qualifications for the position.  By placing Sean Kimball in the position of Finance Director we are taking the town’s risk manager and adding more risk to our financial management. Why is nobody interested in becoming Simsbury’s Finance Director?  If the town does not fill the position with a qualified Finance Director, the town could suffer serious risks. First Selectman Mary Glassman stated that the town is evolving towards a professional town manager. The time is now.

 

 

 




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