[This article contains corrections and clarifications to the version printed in the Friday, May 3 edition of The Times. The corrected paragraph appears in boldface & italics.]
The Foxfire Village Council met in a Work Session Tuesday night, April 30, to discuss, justify, and reduce future spending where possible. Councilwoman Leslie Frusco presented each council member with a budget packet.
Item by item, the Council worked to provide enough funding to cover necessary items while whittling back less urgent expenditures.
Equipping the Police
Prioritizing the Village’s Police Department needs, Councilman Mick McCue said: “It’s very easy to make arguments for all the equipment the police department might never need. But you don’t need them 'til the day you need them.”
The officers follow defined procedures in responding to calls, and ask for County back up when necessary. Items tentatively included in the 2014 budget include a computerized vehicle camera and, possibly, a new firearm.
“Keep in mind, we are going to present this budget at the citizen participation meetings," Frusco said. "We then come back in May after input to edit the final budget.”
“Mick, I encourage you to speak to public safety at the citizen meeting, as to why you took some things out of the budget. It is important that our residents know we are serious — and that it doesn’t mean these items are unnecessary. It just wasn’t a priority this year.”
Trimming Expenses
The Council was able to cut expenses in administration, grounds maintenance, general expenses, and road improvements by $23,000.
The Village expects $38,000 in additional revenues over the current year, a number that was already included in the draft budget worksheets provided to council members at the meeting.
As the meeting began, the draft budget showed a $6,000 surplus for the year. During the meeting, the Council cut an additional $23,000 in expenses from the budget, to help make room for the cost-of-living increases and related increases in payroll taxes. The net effect to the General Fund is a projected $25,000 surplus for FY2014.
“It’s the first time several employees have come to me and said they are having trouble making ends meet,” McCue said. Councilman Steve Durham also commented on the quality of the Village’s employees.
The Council agreed that they were fortunate to have such loyal hardworking employees.
McCue suggested budgeting for a potential cost of living increase while maintaining the current level of employee benefits. The Village currently provides health insurance and a five percent contribution to each employee’s 401K.
Village employees received an increase the previous year, as well; but the did not receive any increase for several years prior. The Council agreed to include a two percent salary increase in the preliminary budget.
