Town Council 10-06-2020 - Laserfiche WebLink

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155 Councilman Warthen expressed concern that the decreased income tax and the lack of increase in the budget will end up severely short in 2022. He detailed some of the cuts and expressed concerns about continuing to fund the Town and have the funds for any unforeseen circumstances. Councilman Williams believes that reappropriating the Food and Beverage funds can make the council more accountable. There was a discussion of the ability to sustain the budget. Councilman Stanley asked about the rainy day fund being budgeted at zero. Paige Sansone stated it is recommended to budget the rainy day fund to be budgeted for zero expenditures because it should not be considered part of the budget and should not be used for ongoing expenses; she also recommended using cash reserves before tapping into the rainy day fund. Councilman Cook motioned to amend the advertised Food and Beverage appropriation from $750,000 to $399,670. Councilman Warthen seconded. Motion carried 5-0. Councilman Cook made the Motion to approve Resolution 14-2020 as amended. Councilwoman Hester seconded. Motion carried 5-0 First reading of Amendment to Salary Ordinance 8-2019 COVID Hazard Pay - Councilman Williams stated this is a proposed $5,000 bonus for the Police and Fire Department employees and a $2,000 bonus for other full-time town employees. The bonuses would come from the general fund cash reserves, and even with the bonuses worked in, there would still be at $3.8M left in the cash reserves. Councilman Warthen stated that he appreciated all of the work everyone has put in but expressed concerns about future spending and revenue not being enough to cover future expenses. Councilman Cook expressed concerns about losing qualified police and fire department employees due to not being able to compete with other departments. Council President Williams expressed his support of this, stating that with being down several officers, firefighters, and a chief, these bonuses are affordable and necessary for those that have worked through this pandemic. Councilwoman Hester expressed her agreement with Councilman Cook. During public comments, Arthur Slatinsky, 55 E Carlisle Street, presented himself before the council to ask what is to keep the recipients from abusing the bonus and leaving the departments when the bonuses are distributed and that he would rather see across-the-board raises rather than one time bonuses. During public comments, Steve Perry asked how many open spots for full-time personnel there were currently and stated that those salaries have been appropriated for this year and that these bonuses would virtually be covered by the appropriated funds for the open positions. He thanked the Council for bringing this issue up and voiced his support for these bonuses for the current employees. Council President Williams brought up all of the additional incidents this year that the police and fire departments have faced in attention to COVID and that this is a signal that the community supports it's police and fire. Councilman Warthen asked Paige Sansone about shifting salaries from the general fund and using the Public Safety LOIT funds. She said that she had seen that. He also asked about changing the appropriation title from different funds. The Town attorney laid out the steps that would need to happento allow for the changes. Councilman Warthen said that he would like to look at funding permanent raises by doing some number crunching. Councilman Cook agreed to try to find a way to make permanent raises by relooking at the appropriation of funds. Tabled until the next meeting.