and and so I don't know if maybe something I shouldn't even worry about but um I just I just see that see like every sport now one of the coaches can't you know has an issue where where they can't be there all the time and I know my my situation and and Lonnie's situation Brian B's situation were the same where through work you know they were gone a lot you know because of of the ambulance cost, but it you know, so we should we continue to pay these coaches the full amount of money when they are unable to attend. Am I way out there in the I mean, what do you think, Eric? It might be. Well, no. Um, I do think we should have some kind of stipulation to pay if not singling out anybody on the list right now just in general for paper coaches.
In fact, there were $1.18 million in personnel requests that we would not be able that we were not able to fund this year. um critical staffing shortages that we have throughout town. We have 209,000 in operational needs like equipment and services that we're not able to to use. And like I said, not able to fund, excuse me. And as I mentioned before, this is all still while using 2.7 million in one-time funds to help balance the budget. And before I move on, I'll just take a little aside and just, you know, explain very briefly what is uh causing um you know, some this deficit, driving this deficit. And like I said, it's inflation mostly. Um our health insurance budget went up 12%. Um that's similar to all around the Commonwealth that we're seeing. Um and uh also our pension assessment went up almost $300,000. Those two items alone make up the entire amount that we get in the two and a half increase, two and a half percent increase that we see in the tax level levy.
Or we did No, we we took away like the beginning of of January one and we just had the middle of January. Oh yeah. And the likelihood of scheduling special meetings because of budget in January is quite high. So that's kind of leaves that open middle January or February if we needed a second one. Okay. And if I might, just the the other one is now that we've I think we're coming up on year three next year, starting after Labor Day, trying to do an early September board meeting was challenging, but October is long enough where you're able to get two meetings in October and, you know, really put together all of those uh superintendent memos to get ready and and lay the groundwork for the budget. Um guys, what are your thoughts about um the January and February? I mean, well, we have a lot in January because we have budget.
I mean, we're paying them a certain amount for that season. Maybe we need to break that down to how many practices they have, how many games they attend. I mean, I mean, this is the public funds here. I mean, we don't want to be just giving away taxpayer dollars. Sure. So, maybe that's something we need to address here in the future. Yeah, very soon. Only we can do it on this one because it's already Yeah. for June. We can look at have a discussion if the administration looks into a meeting. Sure. And I understand there wasn't 27 people retracted for the baseball coach's job, right? If they had taken it, they wouldn't have had a coach at all, right? They would just had Eddie. And I understand all those issues involved. it just that I'd like to get paid for this you can prorate a so you can 75% 50% 25% those are easy ways things we can do it our financial system any further discussion then I will call for the by football.
So before all is said and done, those fixed costs, those things that we are obligated to pay for took up all the additional tax revenue that we got from the 2 and a half% increase. Sorry, I just wanted to make that explanation. Um, just getting back to some of the unfunded personnel needs, uh, we're looking at $472,000 in police and fire positions. We wanted to hire four more firefighters to help mainly staff and other ambulance so we could service the community. Um, we wanted to fund two police officers uh, dedicated to traffic enforcement. chief and and her team have done a great job of increasing enforcement uh with the resources that we have, but as you know, speeders are all over this this town um in different places and keeping up with them is uh a difficult task. Um 227,000 in administrative support. You know, some people might not think that that's important.
Yeah, I mean, it's true. Why not? Like, why are we why not twice in November? Because of the holidays, it ended up being we had that last year. It ended up being complicated. So, we added two in October. 10 10 years ago 10 years ago there were I believe eight months that had two meetings and then the board had several discussions over the years to slim that down and so it's now down to I think four different months where there's two meet four or five different months now with uh that given the fact that there's so many there's the joint budget meeting there's budget meetings there's the vacations in February you know or long weekends in February and then the vacation in April to squeeze in regular meetings was the thought process was if we really need one uh we can schedule one but that's the board's perview.
All those in favor say I. I. Any opposed? Motion carries four to zero. And now I'll ask for a motion on Scott as assistant football. I'll make motion. Any discussion or question? If not, I'll call for deferral on Scott. All those in favor say I. I.
I can tell you being on the front lines that is absolutely critical. we can't do what we do unless we have that back-end support um that's so critical to making this community go. Um if you look at things like the library and the senior center, we're not able to fund $148,000 in um critical needs. And then operations, just looking at like DPW and facilities and planning um 2 uh $222,000 in needs that we weren't able to fund this year. Folks, these are needs. Um we had a meeting with our department heads. We invited members of the select board, the finance committee to hear and and they give an explanation of their budget requests. And these aren't really extras. These are things that we just need to provide service services to the level of expectation that people provide. Um, and I'll just give you some more staff hour increases that weren't needed or that were needed but unfunded.
Yeah, I think um it was two or three years ago that we went to having most meet most months having one meeting and I think the rationale at the time was um we'd each rather have like a super long night where we get everything done as opposed to um you know rearranging schedules and stuff to come back two times a month. Um and then of course obviously we can always schedule a special meeting if we really needed to. Um, but I think that was the rationale at the time was to be more efficient with one meeting, which is fine as long as you know moving forward that we're not off theienc So you know agenda items maybe closer closer to you maybe a little closer. It's okay. I mean, if anything, I would say adding November 5th back in because there's a long gap, but November 5th or October 22, but then you have spring break.
Any opposed? Motion carries four to zero. Next we have Bonnie Guthrie III for assistant football coach. We have a Is there any questions or discussion? The same issue that he's going to be gone, you know, working and so there will be, you know, times when he just won't be able to be in practice. Real quick, if I could real fast, um, now this what we're going to discuss at a future date. um you've already got contracts prepared for these people. So it may not be applicable for right now. Yeah, that's my Yeah. So this be from for the future moving on if if we decide to do that. Change the terms after. Okay. If there's nothing further, I'll ask for the vote on the third. All in favor say I. I.
So again, in the police department, we could have used another $100,000 for overtime and um other incentives. And these incentives, you know, we incentivize people to get trained in certain specialties, um learn certain skills, certain techniques, um also overtime is a very very necessary component of a budget, especially in our public safety departments, um in order to maintain a robust staffing level throughout the 24-hour uh cycle. Remember most of us with you know nineto-five jobs um you know go home at the end of the day police and fire and DPW a lot of times become a 247 operation. Um the building department uh we have $40,000 to convert a part-time inspector to full-time. I mean this is a very part part-time inspector. I mean, we have one full-time building inspector who is also the building commissioner who is also the zoning enforcement officer who also does capital projects.
I forget. I can't I don't have that count. I just feel like this. We only had one this past April and I just think it was a long time with that between the meetings and back in November. I definitely think we could do two and I'd say I don't agree. I think we can Sorry. No, no, I would just just share for just point of reference um with the superintendents that I meet with and talk with uh there are a number that pretty religiously except for summer have two meetings per month and I'd say the other half have one meeting per month. I don't think that there's no real norm and so I think we're actually probably in a in a a relative sweet spot, but it's got to work out for the board and uh our community, you know, what the community desires. I think it worked really well this year.
Any opposed? Motion carries three and let us take the motion myself as volunteer football coach. Second. Any question or discussion? If not for all those in favor say I. I. Any post? Motion carries four to zero. I will make a motion for Jose for the volunteer football. Second. Any question or discussion? All those in favor say I. I.
You know, the person, you know, you see the work being done on town hall, he's supervising that. The person who did the work, he was the same person who did the work on the Valentine barn or or managed that. One person's doing all that. um $30,000 in the library for increased staff hours for programs and substitutes. And then conservation um $28,000 to increase the part-time agent hours. We just have a full it different than like the school department where you have multiple teachers, maybe multiple positions in different grades and different departments. We some a lot of times we only have one in each department, maybe two. that person is the department head, the assistant department head, and the clerical staff allin one. Um, so we don't necessarily have a lot of room to cut.
I think we had enough meetings in January with the budget. We had our special meetings and roundts. Um I'd like to see it go another year with this schedule to see, you know, where we fit and if it doesn't work because we've only done it for one year, uh we can readjust it next year. But I I think this was a really good fit for this year. And I think I you know we kind of have to remember that the the committees is where like most of the heavy detailed work gets done and we have I mean all of us have two or three of those you know every month. So I think like you know it's it's probably I would say best to have most at most months unless really needed and then we can of course always have a special meeting you know kind of be at that one a month.
Any opposed? Motion carries. Four to zero. Okay. So, now we're into business. The first item which is the 2025 district expenditure budget revision. Yes, Mr. President, members of the board in accordance with Arizona statutes ERS 15-105 and 15-910. By May 15th, the board may revise the school district annual expenditure budget after notice has been given at a public meeting has been held. Attached is district annual budget expenditure budget revision. Recommend approval of the 2025 district annual budget expenditure. that motion. Second. Any question or discussion? Okay. All those in favor say I. I.
Um, but anyway, uh, obviously when we get to the budget detail, we we will be able to answer any questions that you might have regarding some of those numbers. But, um, again, I just want to send a very serious message and a very somber message, uh, to town meeting about our financial condition. And um I think we've done a remarkable job with what we have. Uh we we have a AAA bond rating. Um we're able to do some of the things that u the community wants. Um but if you want to continue to see sidewalks being built, you want to continue to see uh parks, trails, uh you know, property being purchased to protect open space, um we need to start having that conversation now in order to be able to continue it. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Herbert. As is our custom, we will now hear from the finance committee.
And I I do think that we've we've gone pretty late on those those nights. I would agree on um giving this schedule another year. Although I I mean I hear Erin's point that like when we have a lot to deal with, it's incumbent upon us to to deal with it even if it goes late. I agree. I mean, I like the schedule the way it is as well. Do you guys want to discuss more or are you ready to vote? Okay, Rosa, you ready to vote? Yes, I am. Okay, so we have the uh motion on the table and it's been seconded. Great. Um all in favor of approving this schedule uh for next year's meeting dates, please say I. I. I.
Any opposed? Motion carries. Port is zero. Okay. Next up, we have the governing board audit report. Mr. President, members of board as required by legislature acting fiscal year 2022 statute ARS 15-914. Financial and compliance audits now require school district governing boards to publicly accept all audits and compliance questionnaires by a roll call vote. In the supporting documents, you will find the letter to the governing board from the independent auditor CWDL and the following three reports. All reports are for the fiscal year ending June 30th, 2024. Single audit report, uniform system of financial records compliance questionnaire, annual comprehensive financial report recommended that the governing board approved the fiscal year 2024 audit reports as presented. Mr.
Uh, Mr. Wareski. Good evening, Ashlin. My name is Jonathan Moore. Mr. Sorry, you're all good. Thank Thank you, Mr. Moderator. I'm the vice chairman for the town of Ashlin Finance Committee. For those of you who don't know, uh, the finance committee is the authorizing body for expenditures from the reserve fund. funds set aside within the budget for extraordinary or unforeseen expenses including deficits deficits in snow and ice operations. The finance committee reviews all articles within the town warrant and referendums, deliberates and provides recommendations for each. We also hold annual meetings with department heads to examine operating budgets and evaluate requests. Four years ago, in wake of the COVID in the wake of the CO 19 pandemic, the town of Ashlin took proactive and prudent steps to stabilize its finances. We drew from the stabilization fund, our rainy day reserve, in anticipation of revenue shortfalls. Thanks to strong fiscal management of Michael Herbert and his team, those funds were fully replaced in a record time.