Draft Minutes of the Rye Budget Committee Meeting, 7-19-10 See the next meeting minutes for corrections/approval 1 | P a g e
Town of Rye
Budget Committee
Monday, July 19, 2010
7:00 p.m.
Rye Town Hall
MINUTES OF THE MEETING
Note: All votes were unanimous unless otherwise noted.
ATTENDANCE
Members Present: Chairman Paul Goldman; Vice Chairman, Jim Maheras; Clerk, Ray Jarvis; School Board Representative Peggy Balboni; Water District Representative John Murtagh; Member Ned Paul, Member Doug Abrams
Members Absent: Member Shawn Crapo; Rye Beach Representative Frank Drake; Jenness Beach Representative Randy Crapo; Selectmen’s Representative Joe Mills
Also present: Town Administrator Michael Magnant; Assistant Town Admninistrator/Finance Director Cynthia Gillespie and Rye Library Trustee Gary Layman
I. Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance
Chairman Goldman called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
II. Approval of Minutes: Meeting, Thursday, May, 6, 2010
The Committee voted to approve the minutes of the May 6, 2010 meeting. Doug Abrams and John Murtagh abstained because they did not attend the meeting.
III. First Half Review of the 2010 Budget
A. Cynthia Gillespie, Rye Finance Director, discussed the overall format of the budget data. Several changes have been made or were suggested.
1. The Committee asked for a one page executed summary highlighting the most important aspects of the report.
2. Cyndi has researched the “Miscellaneous” Account and has relocated the expenses to the accounts to which they pertain. The elimination of the miscellaneous account will add clarity to the report.
3. It was suggested that the Period name on all accounts be changed to the period of the expenses being reviewed. Example: Period June 30 YTD 2010.
4. It was suggested that numbers greater the 999 have commas to make them easier to read. Example: 10251032.88 would become 10,251,032.88.
5. Cyndi was asked to research whether there was a statewide format for budget reports.
Draft Minutes of the Rye Budget Committee Meeting, 7-19-10 See the next meeting minutes for corrections/approval 2 | P a g e
B. Chairman Paul Goldman led the budget review by addressing each general fund accounts line item expenditures, focusing on the percentage of the account remaining for the second half of the year.
1. Overall expenses are on schedule with 54.5% of the operating budget remaining. This is a good place to be since many of the expenses are prepaid and are expenses in the first half of the year. Examples are insurance and contributions to regional associations.
2. Some accounts are overspent due to workload or economic conditions. Examples are planning and zoning, as well as direct assistance. These accounts, though not large, will be watched closely.
IV. Other Business
Two issues were introduced, neither of which were within the Committee’s area of responsibility. These were:
1. Town control of conservation land, as questioned by attendee, Mr. Cummins.
2. How to respond to anonymous emails. The Committee voted to table this matter while it sought the advice of the Town Administrator.
V. Adjournment
There being no other business, Chairman Goldman adjourned the meeting at 9:25.p.m.
Ray Jarvis, Clerk, with assistance from notes taken by Member Ned Paul
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