Chambana Sun

Village of Ogden Village Board met Oct. 23.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:

I: CALL TO ORDER: (7:00 P.M.)

Board Members Present

Gay H. Lenhard, Supervisor

Thomas J. Cole, Councilman

David F. Feeney, Councilman

Malcolm E. Perry, Councilman

Thomas J. Uschold, Councilman

Others Present

Noelle Burley, Town Clerk

Richard Vargo, Deputy Highway Superintendent

Daniel Schum, Town Attorney

Joanne Feeney

Steve Toms

Carol Nellis-Ewell

Dan Wolf

Scott Clyde

Chief Christopher Mears

Nicole Dobson

14 Participation in Government students

Purpose of the Meeting

To audit claims, act on monthly reports and remittances, and to transact such other business which may legally come before said meeting.

7:00 P.M. – Public Hearing: 2020 Preliminary Budget for the Town of Ogden.

Noelle Burley, Town Clerk: Read the Legal Notice.

James Butera, Finance Director: Hello, I am the Director of Finance for the town. I have been here since early last year. Before that I was doing government audits for the state. I actually used to audit here but then a position opened up and I applied. I had a pretty good idea of how the operations were going here. Let’s go over the budget for this upcoming year. We will start with the main part of the budget and what everyone is going to see on their tax bill this year. Every year there is a calculation that allows the town to levy up to a certain level of taxes. This is a fairly in depth calculation and there are some growth factors from New York State based on where you are in the county and then it runs down and calculates the total amount that you are able to levy each year on to the tax bill. For 2020 we are $133,000 underneath our allowable limit which is the largest amount that the town has ever been under. Last year we were about $40,000 under and 2018 we were about $80,000 under so this year we are pretty proud to be underneath that. There are two different tax rates depending on where you live. If you live in the town you pay $4.05 plus $1.54, if you live in the village you pay $4.05 and that is per thousand of your taxable assessed amount. Last year we had a property re-evaluation project in the town so a lot of the property was reassessed at a higher value which made tax bills go up. This year we cut our tax rates on the other side by about 5% in the town and 3% in the village and for 2020 we are keeping those tax rates at cut level so we are going to see the taxes for 2020 not go up very much at all. The difference in why you would pay two different rates, if you live in the village you pay for all of what we call our General Fund Services so that is pretty much everything in this building the Recreation programs, the Town Clerk’s, building maintenance and then if you live in the town you also pay for that and then you pay for what is outside of the village like road service, plowing, equipment maintenance so that is why there is a difference for in price for the services provided. This is a graph of the past decade of where our taxes have been and where they are today. We have leveled off the last five years or so and that is due to fund balance and different financial tools to offset the amount of tax we have to charge. At the end of the day we want to charge the lowest rate and still be fiscally responsible so due to our due diligence we have been able to stay pretty level over the last 5 years. This graph shows the total amount of taxes but you see since 2016 the total taxes raised have increased. The largest jump was between 18-19 due to that re-evaluation project that I mentioned earlier. This year increase is really low, 1.1%. A budget summary of the 4 major funds that we have, General, Part-town, Highway and Drainage this is how you get to the amount of taxes that you have to raise at the budgeting time. You start by the appropriations or the expenditures for each of the funds, what we have to spend and what we have to buy and we estimated revenues from state aide, sales tax basically anything besides property tax. The fund balance is sort of like a carry-over amount of revenue generated from years past that roll over and then that balance is able to offset the tax rate. So far the tools that we use utilizes more of the fund balances going forward to 2020 in an effort to keep the tax rates low.

Councilman Uschold: Would you say the fund balances are sort of like drawing from your savings account?

James Butera, Finance Director: Exactly. There is reserve money that we have set aside and then as Tom mentioned this is a carry-over savings account that we can dip into in order to offset that tax amount. This shows the town as a whole which includes our special districts, which are not considered part of our major funds for financial server purposes but we still levy taxes on those. Based on where you live in the town you pay for services in the town. Our biggest fund is our general fund which covers services to the town. Public safety is the Police Department and the largest part of this budget and then the general government which funds our departments. Then Part town and Highway you can see is one of the largest, those are our road services and those are paid out of the town rate which is that $1.54 I mentioned earlier. Our parks comes out of our outside village fund and as you can see the general government is much smaller than the general fund based on the services that are provided. With the Part-Town funds, legally we cannot levy any town taxes in there so all those expenditures on that fund are offset by sales tax. Here we just look at all of our major funds as a whole so you can see almost 70% of our budget is made up of salaries and benefits to our employees. Those are the ones that are providing the services every day to our residents. We have about a million dollars in equipment that we are going to be purchasing in 2020 which is kind of laid out for you to see. The biggest thing coming out of our General fund is our town wide phone system. We are updating the antiquated one we have now and we have two marked patrol vehicles with all the setup costs that come up to about $100,000 for the both of them. Those are the main equipment purchases being made out of the General fund. Every year we put $10,000 into the gym equipment upstairs to make sure the equipment is up to date and everything is running smoothly up there. We are replacing two Building Department vehicles out of the Part-Town fund, a dump truck and a mow and then we also sell some equipment back each year so we estimate about $79,000 in revenue coming back to help offset costs. Our Highway is our largest in terms of equipment. They have the biggest pieces of machinery. The big one there is $245,000 for the 10 wheel dump truck for next year as well as a loader and pickup so a lot of big purchases coming out of there. We are selling about $120,000 worth of equipment to offset the costs. Just to wrap up we are going to look at our fringe benefit cost. As I mentioned our salaries and our benefits are the biggest pieces of what the town has to pay each year. Health Care and the New York State Retirement System that we have to pay into are our biggest expenses. So the retirement systems is set and New York State issues the rates that we have to pay. So based on where the employee works and what tier in the retirement system they, are in the state charges us a different percentage of their salary and we have to pay that to New York State and it is really out of our control so this is just a bit of the average percentage and costs. Between 2016 and now the pension system has been doing very well. The percentages haven’t changed much which is a good thing for us. Our next biggest item is Health Care for all our employees and as you can see it is about $17,000 a year for the town to pay for a family plan for one employee and it is $6,400 to pay a single. Health Care is a cost that any business is struggling with. We are part of a pretty large health consortium for health insurance that a lot of different towns in the county are a part of. Out health care costs are actually going down 4% for 2020 which is huge for us and helps us stay so far underneath the tax cap. This just maps out our town’s expenses for the past ten years so you can see the rise due to us being in our municipal group health insurance we have really leveled off and seen good results in our health insurance costs compared to the private sector. To wrap up again the two different tax rates that I mentioned based on where you live. Village, you pay $4.05 and receive all of the General Fund services and then if you live in the town you pay the extra $1.54 and that includes all the highway services, park service and these rates did not change from 2019 to 2020 and that really helps us keep costs in check for next year. I’ll take any questions.

Supervisor Lenhard: Are there any questions or ideas? If not I will close the public hearing. James has done a very good job with the budget, he has been here almost two years and in that time he has learned a lot about our Town. Thank you very much.

II: APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: None

III: PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR:

Dan Schum, Town Attorney: I would like to recognize that a former member of the Zoning Board Kenny Brongo passed away last week. Kenny has been an asset to the town and I would like to have a moment of silence for him.

IV: REPORTS AND REMITTANCES FROM TOWN OFFICERS:

None

V. TOWN AUDITS:

Resolution #247-10.23.19

Introduced by Councilman Uschold

Seconded by Councilman Cole

BE IT RESOLVED, that the General Fund, Part-Town Fund, Highway Fund, Trust & Agency Fund, Drainage Fund, Sewer District Funds, and Lighting District Funds and being vouchered and submitted for audit, chargeable to the respective funds be approved:

General Fund $ 36,147.07

Part-Town Fund 6,598.61

Highway Fund 8,426.94

Sewer Funds 203.28

Lighting Funds 8,341.19

TOTAL $ 59,717.09

Prepaid Expenses (10/10/2019 – 10/22/2019):

Trust & Agency Fund $ 65,183.66

TOTAL $ 65,183.66

GRAND TOTAL ALL CLAIMS: $ 124,900.75

Vote of the Board:

Ayes: Cole, Feeney, Lenhard, Perry, Uschold Nays: None

VI. CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED AND FILED:

None

VII. REPORTS FROM TOWN OFFICERS:

Gay H. Lenhard, Supervisor

1. Patrick Smith has just hired a full time Building Inspector for his office.

2. I have yet to hear back from DOT regarding accidents at 31 and Washington Street. I don’t know how far that is going to go. They move very slowly.

Thomas J. Cole, Councilman

1. I need to say that I meet once a month with the library Board of Directors every month and they do an excellent job. They are independent of the town even though we support them with $400,000.00 everything has to be controlled by the Board of Trustees and they should be commended for the job they do.

David F. Feeney, Councilman

1. Since our last meeting we have had 2 signs installed in the parking lot that will prevent overnight parking for tractor trailers.

Malcolm E. Perry, Councilman

1. I am going to follow Tom’s lead but change it to the Senior Center. I also attend once a month with the Senior Center Board. They work very hard with what they do. They do an excellent job.

Thomas J. Uschold, Councilman

No report.

Richard Vargo, Deputy Highway Superintendent

1. My report will sound very familiar if you were at the last meeting. We have wrapped up our road work, we were able to wrap up a few extra jobs that didn’t have to be finished until spring. Besides that we are prepping for snow and ice.

Noelle M. Burley, Town Clerk

1. Been busy collecting school taxes

2. I do have a resolution tonight. The Governor has waived the fees for all active members of the military that are getting married so I would like to ask the board if they would consider waiving our portion of it for any members that would like to get a marriage license.

Daniel G. Schum, Town Attorney

1. Pro Champs is very active in our town and they now want to reach out to vacant properties that are not in foreclosure but vacant or abandoned to require them to register to maintain them.

2. The new intermunicipal agreement for Storm Water Pollution Control, I reviewed it and made a memo to the board. It is the same agreement as the county agreement for storm water maintenance but we made some changes that to become a member is based in part in total citizenry in your community. Ours went from $5,00 to $7,500 and some of the larger towns got a big bump but it is something we need to do and something we need to remain a part of.

VIII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

None

IX. NEW BUSINESS

Resolution #248-10.23.19

Introduced by Councilman Feeney Seconded by Councilman Uschold

WHEREAS, Pro Champs has been assisting the Town of Ogden with respect to vacant and abandoned properties; and

WHEREAS, Pro Champs has approached the Town of Ogden with respect to authorization to notify vacant property owners of their obligation to require such property be registered with the Town of Ogden, which notification would be by way of postcard notification; and

WHEREAS, Patrick Smith, Building Code Enforcement Officer, has recommended that such authorization be granted so that the Town of Ogden can better monitor vacant and abandoned properties within the Town of Ogden;

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by the Town Board of the Town of Ogden, Monroe County, New York, as follows:

SECTION I: That by the adoption of this Resolution, the Town Board of the Town of Ogden does authorize Pro Champs to give postcard notification to all vacant property owners (non-foreclosure) of their obligation to register their vacant property with Pro Champs and the Town of Ogden.

Vote of the Board:

Ayes: Cole, Feeney, Lenhard, Perry, Uschold Nays: None

Resolution #249-10.23.19

Introduced by Councilman Feeney Seconded by Councilman Cole

WHEREAS, the Town of Ogden, pursuant to Town Law, has the authority to dispose of personal property no longer needed for public purposes; and

WHEREAS, the Highway Department has identified certain items of personal property which are no longer needed or useful for their purposes;

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by the Town Board of the Town of Ogden, Monroe County, New York, as follows:

SECTION I: That the Highway Department be, and hereby is, authorized to dispose of such items of personal property by private or public sale.

Vote of the Board:

Ayes: Cole, Feeney, Lenhard, Perry, Uschold

Nays: None

Resolution #250-10.23.19

Introduced by Councilman Uschold

Seconded by Councilman Cole

WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Ogden did heretofore adopt the Ogden Personnel Policy Manual, and

WHEREAS, the Ogden Town Board reviews and amends the Ogden Personnel Policy from time to time.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

SECTION I: That Section 14, Fringe Benefits, shall be amended to read as follows:

SECTION 14. FRINGE BENEFITS

A. MEDICAL, DENTAL AND VISION INSURANCE:

1. The Town will provide all full-time employees and full-time elected officials with medical and dental insurance.

2. Employees electing such coverage shall contribute twelve and one half percent (12.5%) of the medical insurance premium for the base plan and fifty percent (50%) of the dental insurance premium. All employees opting for a higher cost medical plan offered by the Town will contribute the difference between the Town’s obligation of the base plan and the cost of the plan chosen.

3. The Town shall offer vision coverage to all full-time members enrolled in the Town’s medical insurance. Employees electing such coverage shall contribute ten percent (10%) of the premium for the appropriate level (single, two-person or family) of the plan offered.

4. Medical, dental and vision insurance contributions shall be taken pre-tax through payroll deductions.

5. Employees shall become eligible for coverage on the first day of the full month following date of hire.

B. NEW YORK STATE RETIREMENT

41j sick benefits

C. DISABILITY AND WORKER’S COMPENSATION BENEFITS (See Section 17).

D. DEATH BENEFITS: In the event that a full-time employee or elected official dies of any non-job related cause, the estate of the deceased shall be entitled to death benefit payments equal to one day’s full wages for each year worked up to a maximum of 15 days. This shall be in addition to any death benefit payment from the New York State Retirement System, when applicable.

E. FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT: Available to all full-time employees.

F. NEW YORK STATE DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN: Available to all full-time and regular part-time employees.

SECTION II: That this section, as amended, be effective October 23, 2019. Vote of the Board:

Ayes: Cole, Feeney, Lenhard, Perry, Uschold Nays: None

Resolution #251-10.23.19

Introduced by Councilman Feeney Seconded by Councilman Cole

WHEREAS, the Town of Ogden has been a member of the Monroe County Storm Water Pollution and Protection Water Control Coalition; and

WHEREAS, the Coalition has proposed a revised Intermunicipal Agreement which revised agreement revises the Membership Fee’s for each municipality based in part upon each municipalities population; and

WHEREAS, the revised proposed Intermunicipal Agreement establishes a Membership Fee for the Town of Ogden of $7,276.00, an increase of $2,276.00 over the previous Membership Fee; and

WHEREAS, the Town of Ogden wishes to continue to be a member of the Coalition.

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by the Town Board of the Town of Ogden, Monroe County, New York, as follows:

SECTION I: That the Supervisor be and she hereby is authorized to execute the revised and new Intermunicipal Agreement for Storm Water Pollution and Protection of Water Quality in form in content as reviewed and approved by the Town Attorney.

Vote of the Board:

Ayes: Cole, Feeney, Lenhard, Perry, Uschold Nays: None

Resolution #252-10.23.19

Introduced by Councilman Uschold Seconded by Councilman Feeney

WHEREAS, on August 20, 2019 the Governor passed a law waiving the State Fee on Marriage Licenses for active duty members of the Armed Forces; and

WHEREAS, that Domestic Relations Law Section 15, Subdivision 4 states that the Town may elect to waive the portion of the fee to which the Town is entitled; and

WHEREAS, the Domestic Relations Law Section 14-a, Subdivision 3 states that Town may elect to waive the fee for any certificate when either party making application for any certificate required by the Veterans Administration or by the division of Veteran’s Affairs of the State of New York to be used in determining the eligibility of any person to participate in the benefits made available by the Veterans Administration or by the State of New York, is an active duty of the Armed Forces of the United States; and

WHEREAS, the Town of Ogden desires to waive the portion of the marriage license fee to which the Town of entitled and the certificate fee for those active duty members of the Armed Forces of the United States for the purpose contained herein.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

SECTION I: That the Town Board of the Town of Ogden hereby waives the portion of the marriage license fee, to which the Town is entitled, for active

duty members of the Armed Forces of the United States.

SECTION II: That the Town Board of the Town of Ogden hereby waives the certificate fee for members of the Armed Forces of the United States on active duty when the certificate is required by the Veterans Administration or by the division of Veteran’s Affairs of the State of New York to be used in determining the eligibility of any person to participate in the benefits made available by the Veterans Administration or by the State of New York.

SECTION III: That this resolution shall take effect immediately. Vote of the Board:

Ayes: Cole, Feeney, Lenhard, Perry, Uschold Nays: None

Resolution #253-10.23.19

RESOLUTION ADOPTING PRELIMINARY BUDGET AS ANNUAL BUDGET

Introduced by Councilman Perry Seconded by Councilman Uschold

WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Ogden has met and considered the preliminary budget for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2020, and conducted a public hearing thereon on October 23, 2019, as required by Town Law, Section 108;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the preliminary budget as changed, altered and revised and as hereinafter set forth is hereby adopted as the annual budget of the Town of Ogden for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2020, and the same shall be entered in the minutes of the Town Board.

Vote of the Board:

Ayes: Cole, Feeney, Lenhard, Perry, Uschold Nays: None

X. ADJOURNMENT

Resolution #254-10.23.19

Introduced by Councilman Perry Seconded by Councilman Uschold

RESOLVED, that the Regular Meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Ogden be and hereby is adjourned at 7:30 p.m.

Vote of the Board:

Ayes: Cole, Feeney, Lenhard, Perry, Uschold

Nays: None

https://www.ecode360.com/documents/OG0089/public/516055042.pdf