TOWN OF NORTH HARMONY
PUBLIC HEARING – BUDGET 2020
WEDNESDAY, 11/6/2019 6:30 PM
ROBERT YATES, SUPERVISOR PRESENT
DUNCAN MCNEILL, COUNCIL PRESENT
DICK SENA, COUNCIL PRESENT
LOUISE ORTMAN, COUNCIL PRESENT
STEVE SENSKE, COUNCIL PRESENT
OTHERS PRESENT: Dan Thomas; Robin Miller, Bookkeeper; Nancy Thomas, Town Clerk
Mr. Yates opened the Public Hearing at 6:30 PM with the Pledge to the Flag.
- MOTION # 120 OF 2019
- SENSKE MOTIONED TO RATIFY ACTION TAKEN BY THE SUPERVISOR ON 11/1/19 AUTHORIZING THE POSTING OF A LEGAL NOTICE WITH THE POST JOURNAL FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE 2020 BUDGET TO BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, 11/6/19 AT 6:30 PM. MRS. ORTMAN SECONDED. YES (5): SENA, MCNEILL, ORTMAN, SENSKE, YATES. NO (0). THE MOTION WAS CARRIED.
Mr. Yates reviewed the Preliminary Budget Summary for those present. He said the total levy for the Highway and General Fund is $801,358.00; Special District Total is $43,793.00; and Ashville Fire District is $296,288.00; for a total levy including Special/Fire Districts of $1,141,439.00. He said that NYS had provided a tax levy limit before adjustments/exclusions of $845,151.00. He said based on that we increased our rate per $1,000 of assessed value by +$.05 (2019 was $2.92/$1,000 and 2020 will be $2.97/$1,000 or 1.7% increase). He said after increases for salaries, health insurance, etc. we added a little more for the Lake. He said we all know we have $15,000.00 for the lake and there is a grant out there that we haven’t seen yet. He said any extra in the General Fund will be used for the lake bearing in mind work on our Capital Project. He said at this time he is ready to adopt the budget and asked if there are any questions.
Mrs. Thomas thanked all for their time and diligence on the budget. She said she had had concerns about the Town Clerks budget related to the fact there was no increase to the line item for Deputy Clerk Gibbs services to cover her $1/HR increase. She said she appreciated that Mr. Yates had assured her that if there are any shortfalls in the Clerks budget, he would transfer funds from other accounts to take care of that.
Mr. Yates agreed.
Mrs. Ortman thanked Mrs. Miller for her work on the budget and Mr. Strickland for his actions on behalf of the Highway Employees.
- MOTION # 121 OF 2019
- MCNEILL MOTIONED TO ADOPT THE 2020 BUDGET AS PRESENTED AT THE HEARING. MR. SENSKE SECONDED.
Discussion:
Mr. Sena asked how the 1.7% increase had been arrived at when at the last meeting it was a 2.25% increase.
Mr. Yates said the previous 2.25% increase amount was just an estimate off the top of his head.
YES (5): SENA, MCNEILL, ORTMAN, SENSKE, YATES. NO (0). THE MOTION WAS CARRIED.
There was discussion that David Stapleton, Town Attorney is retiring and has submitted his resignation to the board effective 12/31/19.
- MOTION # 122 OF 2019
MRS. ORTMAN MOTIONED TO AUTHORIZE THE TOWN CLERK TO SUBMIT NOTICE TO THE POST JOURNAL; JAMESTOWN BAR ASSOCIATION; JACKSON CENTER; AND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, THAT NORTH HARMONY IS SEEKING LETTERS OF INTEREST FROM QUALIFIED ATTORNEY’S FOR THE POSITION OF TOWN ATTORNEY. MR. MCNEILL SECONDED. YES (5): SENA, MCNEILL, ORTMAN, SENSKE, YATES. NO (0). THE MOTION WAS CARRIED.
- MOTION # 123 OF 2019
ON A MOTION MADE BY MR. SENSKE, SECONDED BY MRS. ORTMAN AND NONE BEING OPPOSED, THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE 2020 BUDGET WAS ADJOURNED AT 6:50 PM.
Nancy Thomas
Town Clerk
