001I call to order the Monday, June 22nd, 2026 Gardener City Council Committee of the Whole meeting to order. Clerk will please call the role. >> Councelor Brooks, >> present. >> Councelor Cormier. >> Councelor Durn allowitz, >> present. Councelor Harter, >> Councelor Heath, >> present. >> Councelor Heglin, >> present. >> Councelor Kazinskus, >> present. >> Councelor Mack, >> present. >> Councelor Tone, >> present. >> Councelor Tel Munoz, >> present. >> Councelor Tyrus, >> present. Next item of business are the FY2027 budget orders. Before we begin the budget orders, I'd just like to remark for the public watching. The city council has done some things the same and some things different and new this year. The things that remain the same were that each standing committee of the city council met with the various departments under their
002purview of jurisdiction and discussed the department budgets with the department heads that took place over the course of May. And then in June, the city council met three times as a committee of the whole with the third time being tonight to discuss the mayor's budget proposal. Now, that was good for a few reasons because as many times as we met, as had many times we've had a new budget proposed by the mayor. Now, what stayed the same were the council's review and oversight. The thing that was different this year is I asked the counselors if they would please submit amendments to the city clerk by last Thursday so that we could have them prepared for our budget hearing tonight later in the special meeting. I did this for a few reasons. One, I think it's
003more transparent. It's more focused for our budget hearing. In the past, we would sit through and literally turn page by page the 14 pages of our city budget and the president would read the item numbers and counselors would raise their hand and it would be very in the moment. So, I thought submitting them ahead of time would be more transparent and focused. Now, I think this budget cycle has been one of the toughest our city's faced in a number of years. I think for a few reasons. One, obviously, the economic and geopolitical constraints on our city with rising inflation and the constraints that we have as a municipality to react to how volatile the world has become. The second being I think with our new city auditor who I'd like to thank for being here
004tonight, Karen Butler has introduced new practice and a new way of working in the city auditors department. I think what is intended to be and should have been a very independent municipal officer had become very dependent on basic financial and budgeting processes and policies in our city. And now with the new auditor, I think we're seeing some of those gaps and capabilities and we're going to address them. Before we begin, as well, I'd like to also discuss that the budget spreadsheet that is in the packet and is in front of each counselor this evening has multiple columns, but due to the various changes and updates to the budget, it is the farthest right column that is the mayor's latest budget proposal. And this is supported by the letter the mayor submitted under new business during
005the special uh meetings agenda to show the most recent changes as of last week. So, that is important to note. And just like as last year where the council introduced more time between review meetings, which was new last year, this year the new thing being the amendment proposals being submitted before our budget hearing. I look forward to feedback and welcome feedback for how we can do things different and better next year as well. Uh so with that, I'd like to start with our first item under budget orders, item 11830. in order to raise and appropriate the sum of $15,59,3491 for the various departments of the city for the salary and labor budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1st, 2026 to July 30th, 2027. Councelor Heglin. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Leading to a motion
006uh just to kind of bring everyone else up to speed, too. You probably noticed further in the packet under new business, there's items 11863 and 11864 because of the timing of those being changed, which we're anticipating from our last budget meeting. Uh we're waiting on new numbers for those two orders. Those are the new orders. They have the appropriate language. However, to act on and update the committee of the whole portion of our agenda and then later the special agenda, special meeting agenda, we need to pull those orders up. Now, to this point, um I do have uh they're in our packet. I have a copy for the the president and the clerk. It's exactly the same as what's in our packet, but we have an extra if we want to make copies if anyone
007else wants to see the paper version of what's in your packet. Uh so, with that, I move the order be replaced by the updated order as submitted by the mayor in item 11864. >> Second. >> Motion made by councelor Hegel to replace the order as submitted by the mayor at item 11864. Is there discussion on the motion? All those in favor? I. >> I. All those against? No. Motion passes. Item 11832, an order to raise and appropriate the sum of 31,275,1742 for the various departments of the city for the expense budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1st, 2026 to June 30th, 2027. Councelor Heglin. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Move the order be replaced by the updated order as submitted by the mayor. >> Second. >> Motion made by councelor Heglin, second by councelor
008Kazinskus to move the order be replaced by item number 11863. Is there discussion on the motion? All those in favor say I. >> I. All those against no. >> Motion passes. Item 11832. Thank you, council. An order to raise and appropriate the sum of 38,143,689 for the school department budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1st, 2026 to June 30th, 2027. Councelor Eglund. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Uh if there be no objection for item 118 32 33 34 and 35. Um we've already had a chance to review these and at this point we just need to discuss them. I move to refer the items to the full council for further discussion. >> Second. >> Motion made by councelor Heglin, second by councelor Kazinskus to move the remainder all the budget orders actually to the
009full council. Is there discussion on the motion? All those in favor I I. All those against? No. Motion passes. I'll entertain a motion to adjurnn the committee of the whole meeting. So second. >> Motion made by councelor Mack, second by councelor Kazinskus to adjurnn. All those in favor I. I. All those against no. >> Motion passes. The committee of the whole meeting stands. Adjourn. I now call to order the June 22nd special meeting of the Gardener City Council. The clerk will now please call the role. >> Councelor Brooks, >> present. >> Councelor Cormier. >> Councelor Durlowitz, >> present. >> Councelor Hardurn. Councelor Heath, >> present. Councelor Heglin, >> present. >> Councelor Kazinskus, >> present. >> Councelor Mack, >> present. >> Councelor Tone, >> present. >> Councelor Tel Munoz, >> present. >> President Tyrus, >> present.
010>> First order of business, FY2027, budget orders, item 11830, which has been passed to amended B. Item 11864. in order to raise and appropriate a sum of money for the various departments for the salary and labor budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1st to 2026 to June 30th 2027 for the amount of 14534,4000 as pre previously discussed each of these orders has amendments submitted by counselors I will go through and read the amendments Councilors will have an opportunity to make a motion. If there's a second, we will debate the amendments. However, due to the timing of the new budget proposals, some amendments that were submitted are now null and void as either the mayor has made the amendment proposal or the item no longer exists. Amendments. Each proposed amendment will be taken up in
011order as determined by the chair for the relevant budget order. If any amendments are passed, we will take a brief recess to allow for the adjusted budget order to be prepared before taking up the budget order vote. Amendment five, as changed, line 21, reduction of $58,400 to $0 for executive aid, salary, and wages. Is there a motion? Amendment six, line 93, reduction of $51,200 to0 for assistant city solicitor salary and wages. Is there a motion? Amendment 12, line 92, reduction of $6,4573 to $84,542.37 city solicitor salary and wages. Is there a motion? Councelor Mack. >> Uh, thank you, uh, President Tyros. Um, I re I did this uh increase between last year's and and the and 91,000 and to me it came up to over a 6% increase. So, I just wanted to have an
012explanation by the from the mayor why there was such a increase in this specific salary item. >> Mr. Mayor, if you take the podium. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, councelor. Uh the $91,000 is step one in the new ordinance that was passed by the city council for the city solicitor position. >> Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Is there a motion on amendment number 12? >> I I move to uh remove the uh the amendment 12. >> Motion made by councelor Mack, second by councelor Heglin uh to withdraw the amendment. >> Yes. >> All those in favor I. I. >> I. All those against? No motion passes voter. >> Yes. >> Um so on the on amendments five and six there was no discussion. So we can either remove if if we have
013no I just want clarification for the public watching because we made action and then we didn't make action. So what does that mean? >> Means there's there's no motion or second. So those items those amendments did not pass or not entertain. >> Okay. >> So no different than uh the council making a motion to formally withdraw. >> Thank you counselor. Amendment number 13, line 217, reduction of $22,980.79 to $80,1921 [clears throat] custodian salaries and wages. Is there a motion? Councelor Mack. >> Thank you, Council President. Again, on this uh salary item, I wanted an explanation for the mayor for the substantial increase um for the custodian salary and wages. >> Mr. Mr. President, thank you, councelor. Uh the this line item uh pays for both of the custodial staff for Gardener City Hall. Uh the
014current maintenance manager position is at a step two, which is a rate of $52,5.72. That does not include overtime or callbacks. The second shift technician is currently uh in the hiring process. So that would start at step one which is a rate of $43,39.88 and there is a 50cent shift differential for that since it is second shift that does not include overtime or call backs. Uh if we uh in the past fiscal year there were several times where the second shift custodian was not filled. So there is a large uh balance that account because of how often that uh position had a vacancy throughout the year. Uh there are times where when the first shift maintenance staff had to come back and either lock the building during meetings or come back after hours. Uh there
015uh contractually is a three-hour overtime call rate uh which equates to around $12163. >> Thank councelor >> through the president. Thank you mayor. I just uh that explains I didn't the vacancy and being hired but because it was a substantial increase and I make a motion to withdraw the amendment. >> Second. >> Motion made by councelor Max, second by councelor Heglin to withdraw amendment number 13. Is there discussion? All those in favor I. >> I. All against motion passes. Amendment 13 is 13 is withdrawn. Amendment number 15, line 315, reduction of $80,000 to $28,800 fire department holiday pay. Is there a motion? Councelor Mack. >> Thank you, Council President. After discussion today with the fire chief and an explanation with the new updated numbers, um the holiday pay is uh twice a year and um
016as of today, it made up the substantial difference um from what we received on our budget to the point that um with the information I received from the fire chief today that we're actually they're $23,000 over what was budgeted um last year and which they are total as of today was $261,617. Um, and that with what the mayor submitted for the two $188,800 that even with that with new negotiations and step increases, um, that would that is actually only $27,000 over. Um, so with the recommendation of the fire chief, I will make a motion to remove this amendment. Second >> motion made by councelor Max, second by councelor Heglin to withdraw amendment number 15. Is there discussion? All those in favor I. I. All those against no. Amendment number 15 is is withdrawn. >> Those
017are all the submitted amendments for the salary and labor budget order. Are there any other amendments this evening? Are there any other amendments this evening on the salary and labor budget order? Hearing none. And there is no need for a recess as this there are no amendments to the mayor's budget. I'll read it one more time. in order to raise an appropriate sum of money for the various departments for the salary and labor budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026 to June 30th, 2027 for 14,534,4000. Is there a motion to move the order? >> I make a motion to move the order. >> Second. >> Motion made by councelor Mack, second by councelor Kazinskus to move the order. Is there discussion? Hearing none, the clerk will now please call the role. >> Councelor
018Brooks, >> yes. >> Councelor Durlowitz, >> yes. >> Councelor Heath, >> yes. >> Councelor Heglin, >> yes. >> Councelor Kazinskus, >> yes. >> Councelor Mack, >> yes. >> Councelor Tone, >> yes. >> Councelor Tel Munoz, >> yes. >> President Tyrus, >> yes. Nine. >> Nine. The motion passes. Item 11831. As was previously discussed, this order has been replaced by item 11863, which I will now read. in order to raise and appropriate a sum of money for the various departments for the expense budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1st 2026 to June 30th 2027 of 31854,89. First amendment we have before us, amendment number one is withdrawn as the amendment was already accepted by the mayor. Amendment number two, line 32, reduction of $500 to $500 for mayor's office supplies. Is there a motion? Councelor
019Hegel, >> move the amendment be adopted. >> Second. Motion made by councelor Heglin, second by councelor Heath to amend or sorry to move the amendment. Is there discussion? >> Council Kazinskus. >> I would like to give the council president I mean your amendment if you'd like to speak on it. I'd like to council doesn't nobody objects. I'd like to give you the chance to speak on it since your amendment if you'd like. >> I thank you councelor. Is there any objection to me speaking to my amendment? Uh very briefly, so the reduction of $500 to $500, uh noticing the trends in office supplies that were purchased and some overages that I've seen in prior years. I thought it was only fair as uh other office supplies and other departments had been reduced this year to
020also reduce the mayor's office supplies budget. Any further disc Thank you, councelor. Any further discussion? >> All those in favor? I >> I. All those against no. The amendment number two passes. Amendment number three as changed line reduction of $100 to $0 for mayor's vehicle supplies. Is there a motion? Hearing none, we'll move to the next one. Amendment number four is withdrawn. The amendment was already accepted by the mayor. Amendments number 7 and 21, line 253, reduction of $3,500 to $0 for Mass Municipal Association dues. Is there a motion? Councelor Heg, >> move the amendment be adopted. >> Second. >> Motion made by councelor Hegund, seconded by councelor Kazinskis. to move the amendment. Is there discussion? Councelor Heglin. >> Thank you, Mr. President. I'm not opposed by any means to us. Um, you know, taking
021this up and then thinking about this being the budget. I am opposed generally to paying the MMA. Um, but if we are going to pay I think those dues, I think it would make more sense to come out of the professional development consolidated account that we're creating. I don't know how much benefit or if we really receive any benefit from this membership. Um you know addition to the dues there are oftentimes extra costs even to attend trainings um and seminars that they put on for different departments so we can incur additional expenses beyond this. I don't know how effective they are. Uh the ones I've witnessed haven't been super helpful myself so I don't support us giving them any money. Um so I will be supporting the amendment. Thank you. >> Thank you councelor councelor
022Gazinskus. Oh, I agree with councelor Heglin. Also, even when I know just from the past couple of searches that we've had, um, even we have to post job descriptions, we still have to pay them to do it. And I don't know if that covers a portion of it or what it does, maybe we need more information about what it really it does for us, but since we don't have that and um, we do have our own experience with it as well, um, I support removing the item. >> Thank you, Council. Council General Outs. >> President Daros. Um well I we'll be supporting the reduction I think um more information um possibly maybe this should continue maybe it shouldn't continue. Um I know I've utilize some of their their trainings their videos um but some have
023been useful some have not been very useful. Um so I think it's not to say we will never we won't do this but I think it's something that should be placed where council he said um in the professional development bucket. Thank you. >> Thank you counselor. Any further discussion? Councelor Mac. >> Um I agree with my fellow counselors. I've watched a few of the videos. Um some have been helpful, especially ones done by KP Law. Other ones um I have not found to be very advantageous. But I also think if on other items here that we're looking at reducing the overall professional development um [clears throat] expenses that we have to leave by example as well, um Sadd will be supporting this amendment. >> Thank you, counselor. Further discussion hearing? None. All those in favor?
024I >> I all those against no. >> The amendment passes. >> Amendment number eight is withdrawn as the amendment has already been sorry the amendment reduction was already exceeded by the mayor. Amendment number 10 line 31 reduction of $4,000 to $8,000 for the mayor's professional services. Is there a motion? Councelor Mack. I make a motion that we reduce the professional services um line item for the mayor by $4,000 to reflect $8,000. >> Second >> motion made by councelor Mack, second by councelor Kazinskus to reduce line 31 by $4,000. Is there discussion? Councelor Mack. Um, as I just said with ourselves [clears throat] as well as other departments, if we're looking at some professional development and professional service um, decreases, um, this should, uh, take place on all aspects of the city from the executive, legislative
025to all departments. Thank you. >> Thank you, councelor. Any further discussion on this amendment? Councelor Heglin. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Um, you know, initially this is what I looked at. I ultimately don't think I'm going to be supporting this this evening given where the money goes to. My understanding it does pay the cost of our website and then the software that we have to maintain um our records for our social media accounts and posts just in case there's ever a request for that information. That being said, I think this is an example of where the budget does need improvement. Um again, the website's important. I think that additional software is important, but I think it's clear um or needed to be really clear about what the funding for professional services is going to or
026how this is going to be utilized. Um too often I think we have essential spending that isn't clearly labeled and so I think it's again a place for improvement in the future. >> Thank you counselor further discussion. >> All those in favor I I. All those against? No. >> No. >> Motion fails. >> Amendment number 11, line 85, reduction of $5,000 to $25,000 for treasurers professional services. Is there a motion? Councelor Mack. >> Uh, thank you. I'd like to make a motion that um we hear from the um mayor as to what specifically the professional services for the city treasur's office is used for in more detail >> through the chair. You have a question for the mayor. Mayor >> through the chair. I have a question for the mayor. Yes. >> Thank you, Mr.
027President. Thank you, councelor. I do have that information here in front of me. If you give me a second to just flip through my materials. Uh the long and short is that this is the account that pays for our tax title uh attorney that we have uh for the city. Uh it oversees uh all of the uh properties that we send into the tax court for uh back taxes. Uh it's around $7,000 per property that we have. Uh so this goes into our annual disclosures that we have to file with Hilltop Hilltop Securities. That's around $150. That's the requires that we're supposed to do with a bond council. uh Vera Bank uh is the subscription that we're required to uh have with state and federal regulations to make sure that we're banking with proper institutions
028that are cleared for governmental purposes and then the rest of the account goes towards the tax title process uh either between advertising services for the new uh tax title taking law where we have to advertise certain amount of times in a local newspaper filing fees with the uh Worcester registry of deeds in the in our uh outside council of Copa and Copa. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Council Mack. >> Uh through the chair, I'd like to ask the mayor how many properties were taken in the last fiscal year through the city treasurer's office. Um and the reason I'm asking this is last year we approved $52,6863 and year to date on this budget just under $20,000 has been used. So that's why I'm questioning this line item because I don't know how actively we're actually
029pursu pursuing these that if this is something that you know unless it's a list that we're going to actively pursue in FY27. Um if we could reduce this. >> I believe we have 16 properties currently in the tax title process of which four have since been foreclosed on in this fiscal year. Uh and it all depends on the length of time in the land court and when they move on certain items that are two. I know there are three bills according to the treasurer that are expected to come to us by the end of the fiscal year out of this budget. I don't know the exact amount of those bills off the top of my head, but I know from what she told me today that she is expecting additional three bills. Uh but we
030had four foreclosed on uh this year by the land court. Uh and we actively have 16 cases. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Is there a motion? >> I will withdraw my amendment. Um and through the chair, I would ask through um section 25 of the city charter that if we could get a list of the active um properties you're pursuing, I'd appreciate that. Council Mack made a motion to withdraw amendment number 11 and also invoke section 25 of our city charter to request to the mayor. Council Mac, would you mind repeating that? if we could get through the mayor um information on all the uh FY26 and 27 um properties that are being foreclosed on and uh on track for um being brought to to court for uh back taxes.
031>> Makes a motion motion to the mayor for a request under section 25 for an FY2627 foreclosure report. Second by councelor Hegel. Is there discussion on the motion? All those in favor I. >> I. All those against? No. Motion passes. Handle that one. Amendments 14, 18, and 22 have multiple submissions for the consolidated professional development and travel line item. Because there are multiple conflicting amendments being offered that impact the same line item, we will take up the amendment calling for the larger reduction first. If it passes, the other amendments will be ruled out of order. If the larger reduction fails, we will then take up the amendments for the smaller reductions. Amendments 18 and 22, reduction of $42,000 $42,100 to a new amount of $80,000 for the consolidated professional development and travel. Is there a
032motion? Council journal. President Harris, I make a motion we u approve the proposed cut of $42,100 for the consolidated professional development travel under the mayor's unclassified budget. >> Second. >> Motion made by councelor journal allowance. Second by councelor heglin to reduce the consolidated professional development and travel account by $42,100 to be $80,000. Correct. >> Is there discussion? Council journal. >> Thanks. Um but a lot of discussions about professional develop development. We've cons the mayor has which I think rightfully so consolidated into one um one area where it can be tracked. I think lowering this number to the $80,000 amount um lets us keep um a little closer eye on what's going on. Um it's not to say that um at all that fresh development isn't needed um and there may be a need to exceed
033this amount as we go on through the year. Um but being able to um set this low lower level um and then having um you know further requests come back to us. Finance community does plan on tracking it um throughout the year as well um just in general. But I think this is just an extra extra safeguard um to make sure we're spending it wisely and appropriately um which um I think we will be. Thank you. >> Thank you councelor. Further discussion council hein. >> Thank you Mr. President. And uh the only thing I'll add to that is that when I was looking at sort of the history of professional development, we were getting some of those numbers about how much was often used and spent. 80 seemed like a healthy number to me um
034give or take some years. So that's really just how I arrived at that number as well. >> Thank you councelor for the discussion. Councelor Mack. >> Thank you. Um I also had the same amendment but mine was to just reduce it 22,000. Um but I will support the amendments um presented by councelor Hegeland and councelor journal allowitz um because yes the finance committee will be tracking it more um and also um you know I think we're all aware that there are some contractual obligations that some departments are obligated to have specific um professional development. So in doing so knowing that this could be re revisited at a later time. Thank you. >> Thank you councelor Mack for the discussion. Councelor Kazinskus, >> I appreciate the work on this by the individual members of the finance
035committee um coming to these different uh amendments that are essentially for the same item and I appreciate the way that they arrived there. Uh I think I would personally think a great way to track it is to start off a number that makes sense based on history and then if there is anything needed, it comes back to us. we'll be able to track it um as the requests come in and then we will be able to have more oversight over what those actual requests are and get the reasoning at the time instead of having to go back and look through and see maybe how the money was spent previously. So, I appreciate the um thinking now and moving forward on the amendment. I'll be supporting um I'll be supporting the uh reduction to $80,000. Thank
036you. >> Thank you, councelor Councelor Mack. um for the second time uh president. Um I think it's important too that through um communication with the human resource director, the auditor and the mayor um you know uh I think they're looking into doing a um professional development request form. So there will be better tracking with the auditor's office and human resources to see where people are spending uh funds and where they're going and what programs. So this will be a better um scale or idea of what the the budget needs to be targeted for the future um so that the number is not too inflated. Thank you. >> Thank you councelor. Any further discussion? Councelor Brooks. >> Yeah, I just have I guess it's a procedural question. Are we expecting to spend the funds out of
037this line item or are we uh transferring those funds to individual departments to cover the expense? >> Is that a question through the chair to the mayor? if that's where it's going. Yes, >> that would be appropriate. But Mr. Mayor, >> thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, counselor. Uh the plan, right? Uh as I said in previous meetings was to transfer that out uh to the various departments like we do termination leave and conversations with the auditor. I do feel the need to correct myself on a statement I did say publicly. Transfers between departments do require council approval. Uh even if it's expense to expense or salary to excel. If you look at the verbiage of the order that you have in front of you for the item, it says pursuant to the attached plan.
038Had that language not been in there, that wouldn't be the case. But since that language is included in there and I think it's important that it is included in there, that would be the case, too. Um, with that, I think uh there'd be uh a depending on the time of year a uh heavy amount of proposals that would come before for approval. Uh some of them on a timely basis, some of them on a not. So, I think once we come up with the finalized policy plan, I'll be submitting a full plan to the city council on how best to spend those funds. Right now, I think that's just still something that where that is uh newer information that we've received or clarif clarifying information we've received, I'd like to get a full picture before
039I give a partial answer to that question. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. >> Thank you, Mr. President. >> Further discussion? >> I and and that I I like that answer because I think basically the the finance committee will have oversight because they will get the transfers and be and be reviewing each one that's made. So that's fine. Thank you. >> Thank you, councelor. Any further discussion on the amendment? >> The motion on the floor is an amendment reduction of line 263 by $42,100 to $80,000. All those in favor? I. >> I. All those against? [clears throat] No. >> The motion passes. Amendment 14 is now out of order as it has already been acted on. Amendment number 16, line 591, reduction of $2,900 to $3,000 for flag expenses. Is there a motion, Councelor Mack? >>
040Um, yes. The reason I am making a motion to reduce this line item. Um, actually, I'll make a motion and then I'll have my discussion. Excuse me. >> Is there a second to the motion? Councelor Dalot seconds the motion. Uh, councelor Mack, >> thank you. Um, last year there was budgeted um $11,323 and year to date there was there was nothing spent. Um, and now we are budgeting $5,900 for flags. So, that's why I'm I'm reviewing that. It seems like the Veterans Department isn't in dire need of flags. I obviously want them to have the funds if they need them. Uh, but I just thought um, you know, $2,900 would still be a sufficient amount amount of money seeing they haven't spent any money in the last year. Thank you. >> Thank you, councelor Mack.
041Is there further discussion on this item? I would like to call the mayor to the chair so to to answer the counselor's question on the spending for this line item. >> Thank you very much, Mr. President. Thank you, counselor. Uh, this covers the grave flags for Memorial Day. Uh the reason why the year to date was zero is because we hadn't received the bill for the flags that we ordered for Memorial Day. I did talk to the veterans director today about this item. Uh we do spend uh last year's amount was $5,637.60 on flags that were put out in the city of Gardner. Uh the uh bill has since been paid uh but it was after the year-to- date was given to the council on that matter. Uh we I also do want to clarify
042and the director did ask me to make this clarification too where we do have a regional uh veterans district. Uh we do buy the flags in bulk up front. Uh so our order is really around the size of $11,000. But what it is is the other communities reimburse the city for their share of those flags. Uh so gardener budgeting only for gardener flags for gardener veterans graves here in the city. Uh so if you were to pull the year to date uh and I do have this information here um if you were to pull the year to date in Munice right now you'd see that there was a deficit in the account of $5,649.60 and that $1,469.60 was spent. That's because we're still waiting on those reimbursements to come back from the other communities from
043their budgets for those Memorial Day flags. So that's why the uh budget looks as if there was a zero uh balance that was spent this year is because the bill didn't come in until go after Memorial Day when the flags were received. >> Thank you for the explanation, Mr. Mayor. Councelor Mack. >> Um I will withdraw my amendment, but I'm just now I'm just questioning. I mean, we received the mayor's updated budget on on June 17th, you know, and that the year to dates I just would hope would have been more updated. So that's just um a comment on my end, but I will withdraw my amendment. Motion made by councelor Mack to withdraw amendment number 16. Is there a second? Second by councelor Heglin. Is there discussion? All those in favor? I. I. All
044those against? No. >> Amendment 16 is withdrawn. Amendment number 17 line 658 reduction of $0 to $50,000 for youth center professional services. Is there a motion? Councelor Mack. >> Um through the pre chair. I would like to make a motion. um for an explanation through the mayor as to what these professional services are used for. Um >> question through the chair to the mayor. Mr. Mayor, would you please come to the podium? >> Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, counselor. Uh if you remember uh when we started the uh gardener community youth center, we talked about and this was part of the supplemental budget that we did uh in I believe the September October time frame in the fall. Uh, Representative Zlotnik was able to secure two year full years of funding for the community
045youth center in the amount of $100,000 from a state earmark. Uh, the reason why we put $50,000 in in the supplemental budget last year is so that we could start building up a reserve. That way, if the funding was ever cut from the state or reduced because of financial pressures, we would still have a reserve to keep the operations of the youth center going. Uh the reason why this is included in the budget going forward this year that you see before you for FY27 is because uh while we do have an additional secured earmark for $100,000 to keep the youth center operating for the coming fiscal year, uh the $50,000 that are left over from the previous fiscal year can be encumbered. These items are planned to be encumbered so that we can maintain one
046full year of service uh in the youth cent's uh budget. That way if there are ever any funding concerns or if we ever decide the youth center isn't sustainable moving forward, we have that buffer zone so that we can have that plan time uh that if there are any unexpected costs, funding cuts or anything like that, the youth center can continue to operate for at least a year. >> Council chair, um so the this $50,000 is not to be used at all for salary. >> That is the plan. Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. Yes. >> I will withdraw my amendment based on that information. >> Motion made by councelor Max, second by councelor Heg to withdraw the amendment. Is there discussion? All those in favor I I. All those against no. >> Amendment number 17
047is withdrawn. >> Are there any other amendments for the expense budget order? Are there any other amendments for the expense budget order? Hearing none, we've had multiple amendments passed this evening. Therefore, I'll call a brief recess for the city auditor and city clerk to run a new order. We will uh take a brief recess and then come back when the new order is presented. I'll call the special meeting back to order. All right. And I would like to thank my mother. She has told me that the channel 8 broadcast has now resumed. Apologize everyone. Uh we had some technical difficulties to bring everyone back up to speed. We're on the mayor's expense budget order. We had three amendments pass. Amendment two, Amendment 7, and amendment 14 for a total reduction of $46,100. Uh we've recessed
048for the city auditor and city clerk to prepare a new amended budget order to reflect that reduction. Is there a motion to move the order as amended? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Motion made by councelor journalis, second by councelor Kazinskus to move the order as amended. Is there discussion? Councelor Hegman, >> just a quick clarification. I think it was 18 was the amendment >> on the list itself. >> Oh, 14. Oh, sorry. Yes, thank you. Sorry. 14. Yes, 18 and 22 were the reductions of Thank you, Council Hegman. 18 and 22 were the reductions of $42,100 for the professional development and travel consolidated account. So, thank you councelor. Amendment 2, 7, and 18 for a reduction total of $46,100. And again, the new order is $31,88,79. The clerk will now please call the role.
049>> Councelor Brooks, >> yes. >> Councelor Cormier. Councelor Deralitz, >> yes. >> Councelor Heath, >> yes. >> Councelor Heglin, >> yes. >> Councelor Kazinskus, >> yes. >> Councelor Mack, >> yes. >> Councelor Tone, >> yes. >> Councelor Tel Munoz, >> yes. President Tyrus. >> Yes. >> Nine days. The motion passes. Item 11832 in order to raise and appropriate the sum of 38,143,689 for the school department budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026 to June 30th, 2027. We have one amendment, amendment number 14, line 722, reduction of $1 million to $32,754,15 for the school department budget. Is there a motion? Councelor Brooks? >> Yes. I'd like to move a million dollar reduction in the school budget. >> Is there a second? Councelor Journal. Seconds. >> Motion made by councelor Brooks, second by councelor Journal.
050Is there discussion? Councelor Heglin. >> Thank you, Mr. President. While I can vote on the overall order, I'm just going to abstain from this particular amendment and any further amendments. >> Thank you, councelor. Councelor Brooks. >> Uh, thank you, Mr. President, and and I appreciate the the reduction being seconded so it it can be discussed. Um, I think the the reason I'm doing proposing this is more strategic than it is actual. My intention would be to have the council vote to reduce the budget by a million dollars at this time with it being presented in the fall to add the million dollars back to the school budget because we do have to fund the school budget at a certain minimum level. My reason for making this reduction is that I have concerns about the uh
051revenue estimates that are being used in this budget presentation. I think the earnings on investment is relatively high. Uh and and it's based on historical uh receipts, which is okay except that our pile of cash has been going down because we've finished the elementary school project and we're spending down the balance on that. So, we have less cash, which is less income. the uh property tax increase. I the way I'm calculating it assumes uh new growth that's higher than what I think is sustainable at this moment. Um motor vehicle excise tax I think is is high by about 200 200 $250,000. Licenses and permits is a little about 50,000 more than uh it could be. And I also point out later on that the mayor has proposed spending uh $355,000 on the landfill closure enterprise
052fund. Normally enterprise funds uh are self-sufficient. They have their own revenue stream. The landfill closure enterprise fund is an exception. It it has no revenue stream and the funding usually comes from the general fund. So to me that's another it's an expense that we haven't covered u revenue on. When we set the tax rate uh we're required to report estimated receipts for the year being certified and compare it to the actual revenue received the year before and anything that's higher has to have a justification for it. The div vision of local services department of revenue uh is very good at feriting out optimistic assumptions about future revenue forecasts and you really have to have a strong justification for that. So, because I think that that our revenue estimates are high, what I'm proposing is the
053million-doll reduction in the school budget, which can then be funded in the fall when we have a better handle on what our revenue is from FY26 because we'll have a full year under our belt and we can look at it and if we have sufficient revenue, we can pass it like this or if it's short, then we throw some free cash to make it come out uh as fully funded. I think this is uh important just to make sure that we don't get hung up trying to certify a tax rate because we're we're a little optimistic with with our estimates. And I realize that as we've been looking at this budget, there is there are some uh there's more work we have to do on the budget. I also think we're running out of time
054and we have to pass a budget. I'm pleased to see that we are passing this budget. Um, but I do think we have to watch ourselves fiscally in the coming year to make sure that we stay within the budget and we don't create a situation where a year from now we're having more serious discussions about cuts. Thank you. >> Thank you, councelor discussion. Councelor Kazinskus. >> Thank you, President Tyros. Um, I appreciate the counselor's um explanation and and information that um he provided tonight and I do appreciate the point of this. Um, but I do think that we have to oppose it because we we can't cut it because we can't guarantee it. I don't think that's a good practice. I don't think it's a best practice. Um, and we can't guarantee that we're going
055to be able to put it back. That's the guarantee I'm talking about. Um, it would put us below net school spending as the council had said and and understand the point is to put the million dollars back and, you know, go through free cash. I I do understand the handle on it we would have by being able to see where that would come from once we get to the fall time. I just can't support something that puts us below net school spending without really being able to guarantee that we're going to be able to put the million dollars back. So again, I I really do appreciate the point, but it is too big of a risk, I think, for the council to put the city in should it not go that way. And if it
056does work out this year, um that's one thing, but that's a big if. And also everything that we do in this chamber on behalf of the people that we represent sets a precedent, and I am not willing to take the risk to set this kind of a precedent for something that we could possibly do again in the future, even if it works out this year. So, while I do appreciate the point and I really want to emphasize that, I believe that we do have to oppose this um because we can't guarantee that we're going to be able to to fix it in the fall. Thank you. >> Thank you, counselor. Further discussion, councelor Mac. >> Um I just want to echo councelor Kazinskis's u comments um that I I do I think it's too risky.
057Um, I don't like the thought of having to have to rely on on free cash to fill up the gap because that's going to put us in another um difficult budget situation with other departments. Um, you know, we we know that we depend on that for other things uh like snow and ice, which is on our agenda tonight. Um, I just I mean, the schools came to us and the schools actually need more money. I just can't take the risk especially under this budget climate we're in this year and the way things have been done and and given to us um that I I'm not willing to risk any um funding that could jeopardize our school system. Thank you. >> Thank you counselor. Any further discussion? >> Councel Done. >> Yes. Thank you, President Tyros.
058Just just listening to what councel Brooks presented to us, it sounds like there's some risk involved as well with some of the revenue that we're projecting for next year. So, we are t taking risk one way or or the other um from from how it was presented. So, I'll just let that sit. >> Thank you, council. Any further discussion? >> I like to ask the clerk to please call the role on this item. Councelor Brooks, >> yes. >> Councelor Dalawitz, >> no. >> Councelor Heath, >> no. >> Councelor Hegelan, >> abstain. >> Councelor Kazinskus, >> no. >> Councelor Mack, >> no. >> Councelor Tone, >> yes. >> Councelor Tel Munoz, >> no. >> President Tyrus, >> no. Seven nos, two yays. >> Seven nos, two yays. The motion fails to for the amendment. Are there
059any other amendments on this budget order? Are there any other amendments on this budget order? I'll entertain a motion to move the budget order. >> So moved. >> Second. Motion made by councelor Dernalowit, second by councelor Mack to move the order to raise and appropriate the sum of $ 38,143,689 for the school department budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1st, 2026 to June 30th, 2027. Is there discussion on the motion? The clerk will now please call the role. >> Councelor Brooks, >> yes. >> Councelor Dalawitz, >> yes. >> Councelor Heath, >> yes. Councelor Kazinskus. >> Yes. >> Councelor Mack, >> yes. >> Councelor Tone, >> yes. >> Councelor T. Belunoz, >> yes. C. >> President Tyrus, >> yes. >> Eight yays. The motion passes. >> Item 11833. in order to appropriate the sum of
060$218,54946 from the available funds cable commission fees reserved to the cable commission budget. There are no amendments filed for this item. Are there any other amendments for this item? Councelor Dawitz. >> I move to pass the order. >> Second. >> Motion made by Council Law. Second by councelor Tone to pass the order. Is there discussion? >> Hearing none, the clerk will please call the role. >> Councelor Brooks. Yes. >> Councelor Durlowitz. >> Yes. >> Councelor Heath. >> Yes. >> Councelor Hegler. >> Yes. >> Councelor Kazinskus. >> Yes. >> Councelor Mack. >> Yes. >> Councelor Tone. >> Yes. >> Councelor Tel Munoz. >> Yes. >> President Tyrus. >> Yes. >> Nine. The mot uh the motion passes. Item 11834. an order to appropriate the sum of 11,680,138.35 from available enterprise funds various receipts reserved to various
061accounts for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026 to June 30th, 2027. We have two amendments. Amendment number 19, line 762, reduction of $15,000 to $5,000 for sewer department professional development. Is there a motion? Council D allowance >> to make a motion to pass the second motion made by councelor Durawit. Second by councelor heglin to pass the amendment. Is there discussion? Council dur allowance. >> This kind of in line with the other professional development items we did. The enterprise accounts have separate uh professional development accounts. Um to date uh this account while budgeted for um the sewer uh for 20 um got flipped um budget in here for 23 actually for that one if I'm not mistaken. I don't know if everyone else is following 23. >> It's 23. So actually the reduction I could
062make a motion to reduce it by 18,000 for that for the sewer um for the sewer item. Um the current amount spent to year is under $3,000. Um it's $5,000 seems to be more than efficient. >> Apologies for that. The motion is to amend for reduction of $18,000 to $5,000 for line 762. >> So that that would be amendment 20 or amendment 19. >> I could have my numbers confused. >> Amendment 20 is sewer. Sorry, councelor. >> 762. >> 19 is 20. Yes. Amendment 19. We're on sewer. Correct. following >> 19 is sewer and >> sewer and I have it in there either myself or I transposed it is $23,000 in the budget is my what I'm saying not 20 um the amendment that's on our oh what you're looking at right there um that
063was presented the current um amount should be 23 um is what I'm seeing in the budget yes the budget for us so the reduction will be 18 >> let me take a brief recess that my notes are back to order. I apologize. I have my notes incorrect. So, amendment 19, uh, motion by councelor Durawitz, second by councelor Tone for a line 762 reduction of $23,000 for a new amount of $5,000 for sewer department professional development. That's correct. Yes. >> Thank you. Any further discussion? All those in favor? I. >> I. All those against? No. >> The amendment passes. Amendment 20, line 799, a reduction of $18,000 to a new total of $5,000 for the water department professional development. Councelor Dowitz. >> Thank you, President Tyra. Same reasoning here. Same amount budgeted. Uh this one spent
064they spent um the enterprise account spent a little bit more but still just about $3,000 year to date. So I move to um pass the reduction from $23,000 to $5,000. >> Second motion made by councelor Dalawa, second by councelor Tone for the amendment. Is there discussion? All those in favor I. I. All those against no. >> The amendment passes. >> Are there any other amendments for the enterprise budget orders? Are there any other amendments for the enterprise budget orders? Hearing none, we'll take a brief recess to adjust the budget order. We'll return when the auditor and clerk have a new budget order to present. Special city council meeting will now be back to order. We are on item 11834. We have had two amendments pass. Amendment 19 and Amendment 20 for a total reduction of
065$36,000. The new order as amended reads, and thank you, Mom, for confirming we're back on cable. That there be and hereby appropriated for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026 to June 30th, 2027 for the sum of 11,61,2000 from available enterprise funds receipts reserved for the following accounts. Sewer Department Enterprise Fund $3,955 and $3,955,100 Water Department $4,91,300. Golf course1,288,900. Landfill closure $355,000. Solid waste 1,910,900. Is there a motion to move the order as adopted? uh point of information. >> Yes. >> Um so our original order was the sum of $11,680 what $600,138.35 correct >> on 11834. >> The original order was for $1,680,138.35. >> Okay. And from that we're subtracting $36,000. >> Correct. >> Okay. Why does my math come out to 11,644 $644,138.35? >> I think the council looks like we're going down $80,000.
066>> Call break for recess. I'll be right back. I call the special meeting back to order. Councelor Mack, your point of order is well taken and confirmed. The new order that I've read off of 11,61,200 is the correct amount is the agenda that I'm following that have an incorrect number listed for item 11834. So this is the correct amended number. Is there further discussion? The clerk will please call the role. >> Councelor Brooks, >> yes. >> Councelor Durlowitz, >> yes. >> Councelor Heath, >> yes. >> Councelor Heglund, >> yes. >> Councelor Kazinskus, >> yes. >> Councelor Matt, >> yes. >> Councelor Tone, >> yay. >> Councelor Tel Munoz, >> yes. >> President Tyrus, >> yes. Nine. >> Nine. The motion passes. Item 11835, a measure authorizing the FY2027 revolving funds. Revolving funds pursuant to MG
067chapter 44 subsection 53E and a half for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026 to June 30th, 2027. Is there a motion? >> Councelor D allowitz. >> I move to authorize the measure. >> Second. >> Motion made by councelor Durllo. Second by councelor Kazinskus to authorize the measure. Is there discussion on the motion? Councelor Heglin, >> just two quick things. Um, one justformational in case with all the changes and documents and and reviewing things, if anyone didn't notice, the only two that have been adjusted are the Council on Aging. Um, they went from 40 to 60 for the uh recreational fees and they went from 10 to 20 for the service fees versus Lifeline. I certainly have no objection to it. I'm supporting it as is, but I just wanted to note because it'd be
068easy to miss, especially with all the changes we've had to go through. Um, that was the quick point I wanted to make there. And then I also just want to take before we take this final vote, uh, to give some credit to our council president who I think put in a lot of hours as our fearless leader. Um, a lot of meetings, a lot of communications, a lot of back and forth and coordinating um, just to get to this to this point and we've seen that unfold. There's also been, I think, a great deal more oversight in the budget process. I like the new procedures he's put in place. I think this amendment process has worked very well for us. I think it's been more transparent uh and so for all those challenges cool con
069collected and I think uh you've really guided us in this council well. So thank you Mr. President. >> Thank you councelor. Appreciate it. Any further discussion? >> Clerk will please call the role. >> Councelor Brooks. >> Yes. >> Councelor Dalawitz. >> Yes. >> Councelor Heath. >> Yes. >> Councelor Heglin. >> Yes. >> Councelor Kazinskias. >> Yes. >> Councelor Mack. >> Yes. >> Councelor Tone. >> Yay. Councelor T. Belunoz. >> Yes. >> President Tyrus. >> Yes. >> Nine. The motion passes. >> FY2027 budget orders are complete. New business. Item 11854. An order appropriating $573,186 from free cash to Department of Public Works snow and ice account. Council Dalowitz. >> Thank you, President Daros. Uh this order um is back before us again. Um the mayor did provide some further information updated um to us. Uh so
070I move to pass the order. >> Second. >> Motion made by councelor journal allowance. Second by councelor heglin to pass the order. Is there discussion on the motion? Councelor journal allowance. >> Again thanks to the mayor for the additional information. There's information here from munus. Also thank you to councelor Brooks. to get the information about the snow and ice account that's on all our our desks. But the history, which not something that's going to change this budget, but is uh indicative of our spending um and the level in which we spend where $300,000 um the appropriation has been the same since it looks 2014 according to this information. Uh that's 12 years and obviously the costs have gone up um quite a bit over that time. So it may be time um for next budget
071season to start um moving that number number up. Thank you. Thank you councelor journalis. Any further discussion? Councelor Heglin. >> Just to clarify too, this is on the amended [clears throat] language from our previous meeting with the furthers to solidify. I believe the language that councelor general submitted, you know, be ordered by the council was ordered. Further order, further order. Um is that the language we're doing? >> The this would be with the amended language council. Thank you for that. Um um with the uh further ordered um information that was um added um from the previous um previous meeting. >> Thank you for that clarification. That is correct. Yes. Thank you. Any further discussion? The clerk will please call the role. >> Councelor Brooks, >> yes. >> Councelor Durlowitz, >> yes. >> Councelor Heath, >>
072yes. >> Councelor Hegund, >> yes. >> Councelor Kazinskus, >> yes. >> Councelor Mack, >> yes. >> Councelor Tone, >> yay. >> Councelor Tel Munoz, >> yes. >> President Tyrus, >> yes. >> Nine. The motion passes. Item 11858. A measure authorizing a contract of up to five years for permitting and licensing software services. Council journal allowance. >> I move to authorize the measure. >> Second. >> Motion made by council journal allowance. Second by councelor Mack to authorize the measure. Is there discussion on this item? Council journal allowance. >> This is um these type of items are in front of us often. This is for a a contract that does not have to go at the bid. Um and it just allows the executive to negotiate for a longer term than the three years up to the
073five years which uh gives more leverage in that negotiation. Thank you. Thank you. Council journal outs. Any further discussion? All those in favor? I. I. All those against no. >> Motion passes. >> Item 11859, an order appropriating 285,82 no from free cash to police department overtime salaries and expense account. Council Dowitz. >> I move um I move the order. >> Second. >> Motion made by councelor D allowance. Second by councelor hegland to move the order. Is there discussion? Council General Allowitz. >> Thank you, President Dyros. Uh this is as outlined in the letter from the mayor. Um a free cash appropriation to cover the overtime. Um it details um where um where kind of the gaps fell with um officers not us being short officers in the um on the force. Thank you. >> Thank
074you, councelor. Any further discussion? Councelor Heglin. >> Thank you, Mr. President. I just want to thank the mayor. is the first time um he has adopted that new language that I know councelor journalist had started some time ago and with everything else that has been going on just appreciate the diligence and attention to that. >> Agreed. Thank you councelor. Any further discussion? >> The clerk will please call the role. >> Councelor Brooks, >> yes. >> Councelor Durlowitz, >> yes. >> Councelor Heath, >> yes. >> Councelor Heglin, >> yes. >> Councelor Kazinskus, >> yes. >> Councelor Mack, >> yes. >> Councelor Tone, >> yes. Councelor Tibo Munoz. >> Yes. >> President Tyrus, >> yes. >> Nine. The motion passes. >> Item 11860, an order transferring the sum of $50,000 from ambulance professional services expense account to
075the fire department overtime salary and wage account. Council journal allowance. >> I move to adopt the order. >> Second. >> Motion made by councelor journal. Second by councelor hegland to adopt the order. Is there discussion? All those in favor I I. >> All those against no. >> Motion passes. >> Item 11863 and item 11864 out of order as we've already taken up these items as part of our budget orders. Item 11865 adjustments to the FY2027 proposed budget. Council journal. >> I move to place this item on file. >> Second. Motion made by councelor Dowitz, second by councelor Heglin to place this item on file. Is there discussion? All those in favor? I. I. >> All those against no. Motion passes. >> Item 11866, an order transferring salary appropriations from the mayor's department to various other
076department salary lines. Council D allowance. >> Thank you, President Tyrus. I move to adopt the order. >> Second. Motion made by councelor Durn allowance, second by councelor Heglin to adopt the order. Is there discussion? Councelor Durn allowance. Um before us we have uh a number of transfers um on the request uh for transfer form between sub accounts for salary from the mayor's department u from the executive aid u which um has been in a part-time role um in order to cover um short um shortfalls in three other accounts for the emergency management director, the fire chief and the uh sealer of weights and measures. Thank you. >> Thank you counselor. Any further discussion? All those in favor I >> I. >> All those against no. Motion passes. Item 11867 an order transferring salary appropriations from
077the city clerk department to auditor department expenses. Council during allowance. >> Uh leading to a motion um in reviewing this item. Um there are transfers here to help cover some expenses in the auditor's office, but they're coming from the clerk's office. I think the finance committee should get um take a look at this a little further before uh taking a period of full city council. So I'd move to refer to the finance committee. >> Second. >> Motion made by councelor journal. Second by councelor Mack to defer this item to the finance committee. Is there discussion on the motion? >> All those in favor I. >> All those opposed? No. >> Motion passes. With that I'll entertain a motion to adjurnn. So move >> second. >> Motion made by councelor Tone. Second by councelor Heath to
078adjurnn. All those in favor I >> I. All those against no. >> Motion passes. We stand adjourned. Thank you.