CALL TO ORDER:  Mayor Gary Combs called the Budget Workshop to order at 5:33 p.m. in Town Hall chambers.  He led the “Pledge of Allegiance” to the Flag.

ROLL CALL FOR THE RECORD:  

Others in attendance:  Town Manager Tom Burns , Deputy Town Clerk Tina Smith and Police Chief Charles Self.

PURPOSE OF BUDGET WORKSHOP 1:  To review historical fiscal data.  Estimate income, expenses, and tentative millage rate for the upcoming fiscal year – Town Manager Tom Burns handed out the budget proposal packets that included proposals from him and Mayor Combs.  Manager Burns then explained some of the numbers and answered all of the questions from the commission.  Manager Burns suggested that everyone just grab their budget and go line by line.  Mayor Combs handed the meeting over to Finance Commissioner McCallister.  They went through the expected revenue with Town Manager Burns answering questions.  The total expected revenue with a millage rate of 2.8 mills is $495,600.  They next discussed expenses.  Manager Burns mentioned that there will be a lot of non-profit organizations that will approach the commission during the budget cycle.  Mayor Combs believes that the town should definitely give money to the EDC.  Commissioner Behnken stated that there was a past motion made that if residents wanted to donate they could do it themselves.  The OGS equipment list includes funding for another computer for Deputy Clerk Tina Smith.  Her current computer will go to the Police Department and the old PD computer can go into the board room and hook up to an In Focus Machine.  Tina’s old computer will allow then to get on the internet, draw out accident reports, etc.  LEF equipment and machinery list will fund 3 new video recorders and camera systems for the 3 new police cars at $5,000 apiece, $2500 for a new laser radar gun and $1500 to purchase 3 handguns for the full time officers.  Part-time people will have to buy their own guns.  The ’02 Police vehicle will hopefully be paid off by the end of the year because it is now at 7% interest rate.  There is money budgeted to replace both sides of the marquee sign, add some type of storage/parking area behind town hall for the work equipment and off-duty police cars and to pay for the park improvements.  TM put money in the budget for the library cooperative which will reimburse residents for their library memberships. 

Commissioner McCallister believes that the salaries of Manager Burns and Chief Self should be significantly higher than anyone else and recommended a 15% raise for both of them.  Mayor Combs suggested that the town’s new maintenance supervisor, Hugh Parker, hasn’t been on full-time status long enough to receive a raise; he is still on probation.  Mayor Combs also suggested cutting the Police Part-time hours down to 200 hours.

There was some discussion regarding Corporal Cash’s and Officer Spohn’s salaries.  Officer Spohn is getting paid more but Corporal Cash is higher ranking because he has more experience.  It was recommended that Corporal Cash get a 20% raise to bring him above Officer Spohn, Town Manager Burns get a 10% raise and Officer Spohn get a 6% raise.  Commissioner Larson recommended that Deputy Town Clerk Smith get a 20% raise and Chief Self receive a 10% raise.

Mayor Combs received a Ladies and gentlemen’s agreement that if he doesn’t fight these numbers this year, the board will only make a COLA adjustment next year.

Mayor Combs then suggested that they give Officer Spohn an 8% raise.  They figured out the numbers and if Officer Spohn gets more than 7% raise he will be making more than Corporal Cash.  The board agreed on 7% for Officer Spohn.

The board discussed leaving the millage rate at 2.8 mills but this will be decided at the next Budget Workshop on June 24, 2003 .

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

June 24, 2003 at 5:30pm – Budget Workshop II, Town Hall (establish tentative millage rate)

ADJOURNMENT:  Commissioner McCallister moved that the meeting adjourn at 7:07 p.m.   It was seconded by Commissioner Larson and it passed unanimously.