February 26, 2008 Budget Workshop The Budget Workshop Meeting of the Evesham Township Council was called to order by Mayor Brown at 6:35p.m. The meeting was held in the Meeting Room of the Evesham Township Municipal Complex at 984 Tuckerton Road, Marlton, NJ 08053. Flag Salute. Mayor Brown announced that the meeting was being held in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act. Notice was sent to The Central Record and The Burlington County Times, posted on the Bulletin Board and sent to those who requested notification. ROLL CALL: Present: Brown, McKenna (via-telephone), Sarcone, Schmidt, Mayor Brown Also Present: Township Manager Czerniecki, Deputy Township Manager Morley, Township Solicitor Ruggierio, Township Auditor Nehila, Township Finance Director Zaharchak, Deputy Treasurer Shanahan, Township Clerk Bonfrisco, Deputy Township Clerk Friddell Nancy Patterson, member of the Center for the Arts, requested Council include funding the Center for the Arts when preparing the 2008 budget. Linda Carbin spoke to Council regarding the progress her 8 year old son, with learning disabilities, has made at the Center. Art students exhibited their work to Council and the public and requested Council support the Center for the Arts. Council congratulated the students on their work and recognized the Center for the Arts as a viable organization. 2008 Budget Workshop Township Manager Czerniecki thanked the Finance team for their work on budget preparation and presented his 2008 Manager’s Recommended Budget to Council. He reviewed the composition of the 2007 property tax bill, and compared Evesham’s tax rate within Burlington County, demonstrating that Evesham was the 8th lowest on a per resident basis. He detailed analysis. ratable growth, revenue, and presented a surplus
Mr. Czerniecki stated that the challenge in the budget was to find additional revenue and that spending has been cut.
February 26, 2008 Mr. Czerniecki explained that 69% of the budget increase is the result of mandatory increases such as debt service, insurance and social security, as well as contractual increases. He stated that a Township restructuring plan employees in an effort to reduce expenditures. cut 15 full time
He presented items open for discussion to Council, including the gypsy moth program, potential need for a special election, a traffic liaison and additional traffic engineering costs relating to the Marlton Circle/Main Street study. With regard to school tax deferral, Mr. Czerniecki recommended Council move away from the use of school tax deferral, explaining that the State has many pending issues before it which will inevitably affect the local budgets. He stated that the proposed budget will likely be amended. The presented budget called for a 15.7 cent increase, which averages $234.84 on the average assessed home. Council Comments Councilman Brown suggested Council review budget line by line. Township Manager Czerniecki stated that the Finance Team requires policy guidance to prepare official budget documents for introduction. Council chose to review revenue first. Councilman Brown stated that although he is not in favor of the practice, the tax deferral amount should be increased because it is the only way to lower the tax rate. Councilman McKenna expressed concern over increasing school deferral; he stated Council needs to be fiscally responsible. tax
Mayor Brown was in agreement, looking to find a happy medium with reference to school tax deferral. Township Manager Czerniecki stated that Council may not have much choice; that the State could make recommendations and force the increased use of school tax deferral. He explained his concern that a school closing trend could lead to a dangerous proposition with use of deferral. Councilman Brown stated that 1.2 million was already cut from the budget with staff reductions and restructuring. He stated deferral is the only option to keep the tax rate affordable.
February 26, 2008 Discussion followed on State input on use of school tax deferral. Councilman McKenna stated that the Township is in a crisis and that Council should not delay the inevitable. Councilman McKenna excused himself from the meeting at 7:40p.m. Council reviewed anticipated various line items. revenues and made adjustments to
Councilman Brown inquired how potential sale of 125 E. Main Street could affect 2008 budget. Township Auditor Nehila explained that if the revenue was not anticipated it would go into surplus. To anticipate it in the budget, Council would need cash in hand or a signed contract of sale. Council reviewed expenditures. Consensus of Council not to include funding in the budget for traffic liaison; explained that the MEDAC committee will act as a steering committee during construction. Councilman Brown inquired regarding staffing in the Human Resources Department. He requested to allocate a portion of his Councilman’s salary to fund Traffic Engineering study for connecting Main Street and Old Marlton Pike. He further committed $4,000 to the Center for the Arts. Mayor Brown offered $1,000 towards the Center for the Arts. Deputy Mayor Schmidt offered to match the amount with $1,000. Councilwoman Sarcone stated donation to the Center. her family would make a personal
Township Manager Czerniecki explained the potential of having to add fees associated with a Special Election into the budget as a result of a petition circulating in opposition to Bond Ordinance 4-2-2008. If the petition is filed, the Township may be required to hold a Special Election. Councilwoman Sarcone stated that a Special Election is not necessary; that should the petition be filed, the referendum could be placed on the November General Election ballot without additional costs to the Township.
February 26, 2008 Discussion followed on need for a Special Election and the decision was made to include $60,000 in the budget for now. Township Clerk Bonfrisco explained timing of both petition and election requirements, stating the earliest possible date for a Special Election would be the end of June or early July. Council consensus to leave appropriation in budget at this time. Councilman Brown inquired regarding the MIS department and increase in overtime. He further inquired regarding PARIS grant opportunities. Township Manager Czerniecki stated that the MIS department is truly in need of additional personnel and that overtime is required to meet the needs of the Township. He reviewed many of the duties of the MIS department, including their servicing of the entire police department’s computer equipment. Council discussed Special Counsel and COAH attorney fees. Councilman Brown suggested investigating services relating to COAH issues. potential of shared
Council consensus to reduce Special Counsel fees by $30,000. In review of engineering fees, Council discussed Marlton project and additional traffic engineering requirements. Discussion followed on insurance contracts and savings. Council reviewed Police Department budget. Deputy Mayor salaries. Schmidt inquired regarding substantial increases in Circle
Township Manager Czerniecki explained the increases are contractual increases per their contracts. Discussion followed on step increases, increases in police department contracts. grades and contractual
Deputy Mayor Schmidt stated that the department is in need of two additional officers. He suggested that instead of purchasing new police vehicles, they reduce costs and hire instead. Mr. Czerniecki explained replacement program for police vehicles. Mayor Brown suggested a fleet evaluation.
February 26, 2008 Council consensus to add an additional officer to the budget at $75,000. Township Manager Czerniecki stated that Evesham has the lowest ratio of Police Officers to population and square mileage. He stated the department has worked well and that the additional officer is much needed. Councilman Brown stated that with the addition of affordable housing to the community an additional office will be needed. Deputy Mayor Schmidt suggested restoring the Center for the Arts funding at $20,000. Discussion followed. With regard to the proposed 4th of July parade, Mayor Brown acknowledged Monica Vanderburg for her work in obtaining contributions and sponsorships for the event. As a result he recommended reducing appropriation for event. In review, the Finance Team stated that with recommended reductions and additions to the budget, the rate changed from 15.7 cents to 15.5 cents. Council discussed Gypsy Moth program, and agreed to leave it as a follow up discussion item. Township Manager sought Council’s direction regarding school tax deferral. Mayor Brown suggested Council wait for State’s action. Councilman Brown inquired what tax rate would be with full school tax deferral. Discussion followed on various deferral options. Mayor Brown suggested Council stay with current deferral. Deputy Mayor Schmidt agreed. PUBLIC COMMENT Dave Newman, 4 Begonia Court, stated that big box stores are good ratables, but increase the need for Police officers. He further stated that while they create additional jobs, they also increase COAH requirements and traffic. Councilwoman Sarcone stated the property in discussion is not owned by the Township and therefore Council can’t stop development. She further stated the developer was offering a new Public Works facility as part of a proposed plan.
February 26, 2008 Nancy Patterson, representing the Center for the Arts, inquired if full funding was allocated. Township Manager Czerniecki stated Council cannot guarantee funding until the State reviews the budget. Mayor Brown stated that the personal contributions and allocations of salary by the Council members guarantee $6,000 in funding. There being no further comments, public comment was closed. STAFF COMMENTS Manager’s Report – Mr. Czerniecki thanked the Finance Team for a great job and much work on the budget preparation. Clerk’s Report – None
COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilwoman Sarcone thanked the Finance Team and Mr. Czerniecki for their work. Councilman Brown stated a job well done by the Finance Team and thanked the Engineering Department for bringing in $691,000 in new grants. He thanked the public for their attendance and Nancy Patterson for bringing the Center for the Arts to their attention. Deputy Mayor Schmidt thanked the professionals and staff; and thanked residents for their comments and suggestions regarding the budget. Mayor Brown stated that the budget packet was great. He expressed disappointment at the turn out for the budget discussion, stating that for discussion on turf fields the room was at capacity and yet when considering a budget gap, so few were present. On motion by Councilman Brown, seconded by Deputy Mayor Schmidt, it was moved to adjourn the meeting. Recorded Vote: AYE: Brown, Sarcone, Schmidt, Brown NAYE: XXX ABSTAIN: XXX Motion Carried 4-0.
February 26, 2008
Meeting adjourned at 9:43p.m.
__________________________________ Carmela Bonfrisco, Township Clerk
____________________________ Randy Brown, Mayor
__________________________________ Lori A. Friddell, Deputy Township Clerk/Recording Secretary Submitted: Approved : March 19, 2008 _______________