3/14/2005 FINANCE COMMITTEE Minutes

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f �f 10 r' MASHPEE FWANCE COMMffTEE MINUTES MON AY,MARCH CH 144) 2085 Present: Desire Hendricks-Moreno, vice Chair Chris Avis, Leonard Long, Ken Patrick Guests: Judie Hunter, Finance Director Joyce Mason, Town Manager CALL TO ORDER The F finance Committee convened at 6:1 o p.m. at the Mashpee 'Town Hall, Selectmen's Meeting Room. NEW BUSINESS Budget Review Police Department ■ Committee discussed funding issues within Department budget. Ifs. Mason reviewed the procedures on budget adjustments. She noted that line item revisions are generally left to the discretion of department managers. a Mr. Patrick stated that the department is top heavy. ■ Mr. Avis reviewed his meeting with Chief Collins. The Chief indicated that the department structure was consistent with other-departments of similar size. Chief Collins also indicated at the meeting with Mr. Avis that salaries for the department are appropriate. Mr. Avis also noted he presented Chief Collins with the idea of cutting top salaries, but the Chief responded that any budget cuts would cone at the lower salary steps instead. Mr. Avis reiterated that the Committee does not have an assurance from the Chief that cuts will be made as directed. ■ Vis. Mason noted the department is short-staffed already, with any surplus funds intended for building repairs prior to fiscal year-end. She also indicated that the Chief is developing his own plan for internal adjustments. ■ Committee discussed the policy of allowing some officers to take cars hone. Ms. Mason agreed to ask the Chief about policy regarding this natter. School Department ■ Mr. Patrick questioned the School Committee's plan for layoffs if requested budget is not approved. Ms. Mason indicated that declining elementary enrollments dictate staff reductions anyway. ■ Mr. Avis noted the school was able to work within the budget given last year, so level- funding for the next fiscal year should also be acceptable. ■ Mr. Patrick asked whether staff reductions are to cone from elimination of new hires or actual cuts of existing staff ■ Tis. Hunter agreed Committee's concerns are valid, but that answers should be coming from School Committee. ■ FIs. Hunter and Ms. Mason reviewed the budget of$173 rillion as agreed upon by both management and School Committee. Ms. Mason also noted the school requested that it be able to prepay SPED tuition, with the town agreeing to a prepayment by June 30. ■ Ms. Hunter and Mr. Long reiterated that School Committee agreed not to return to Finance Committee with additional funding requests during FY06. Ms. Mason suggested putting this in writing in consideration of new school administration.