WINDHAM SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT

BRATTLEBORO, VERMONT

FINANCE COMMITTEE

MINUTES OF MEETING

NOVEMBER 10, 2011

COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Merrill Mundell, Chair, Wilmington; Jane Southworth, Brattleboro; Betty Frye, Guilford.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT: Mr. Tony Gordon, Marlboro and Ms. Jan Ameen, Westminster

WSWMD STAFF PRESENT: Robert Spencer, Interim Executive Director and Kristen Benoit, District Clerk.

OTHERS PRESENT: Louis Bruso, Jr., Chair of Board of Supervisors; Dora Bouboulis, Brattleboro Alternate Board of Supervisor; Paul Grandmaison, C.P.A.

The meeting was called to order by 6:07 p.m. by Mr. Mundell, Vice Chair

1.) Approval of Minutes - October 13, 2011:

Motion was made, seconded and carried to approve the Minutes.  There was one abstention.

2.) Check Register - October 2011:

The Finance Committee reviewed and discussed various expenditures for the month of October 2011.

3.) Financial Report:

The Financial Report was deferred until the Board of Supervisors Meeting immediately following the Finance Committee Meeting.

5.) FY 2012/2013 Budget:

Mr. Bruso informed the Finance Committee that the current employee health insurance plan, through Cigna, would no longer be available to the District after December 31, 2011.  Therefore, Mr. Bruso suggested the Finance Committee first address the employee health insurance, so that the cost of the new plan can be accounted for in the FY 2012/2013 Budget.  The Finance Committee was given a handout provided by VLCT showing the benefits and costs of the various health insurance plans available to the District. The Finance Committee reviewed and discussed the health insurance plans.  The Blue Cross/Blue Shield VACE 2000 health insurance plan was chosen for the employees. The Finance Committee discussed the high deductible contribution to be included in the FY 2012/2013 Budget.  Mr. Bruso informed the Committee that for budgeting purposes and based on last years actual expenses, fifty percent (50%) of the out-of-pocket expenses were utilized.

Secondly, Mr. Bruso informed the Finance Committee that, in developing the FY 2012/2013 Budget, he tried to development “more accurate employee costs”.  Mr. Bruso factored into the budget every employee, their hourly rate, FICA, disability costs, overtime, vacation time, sick time, etc.  In addition, Mr. Bruso factored in two (2) temporary employees to cover the staff’s vacation time and sick time, which has never been factored in to budget before.

Continuing, the Finance Committee discussed the monetary amount to be attributed to the line item, Sale of Recycled Materials. The Finance Committee utilized $550,000 for the Sale of Recycled Materials.

Lastly, the Finance Committee discussed employee raises.  Mr. Mundell stated that the CPI is presently at three percent (3%) and suggested the Finance Committee start with that percentage.  Mr. Bruso informed the Committee that a three percent (3%) raise would result in a Deficit to be Funded Through Assessments of approximately $413,000.  Mr. Bruso noted that the Deficit to be Funded Through Assessments for FY 2011/2012 was $463,208.  The result is a $50,000+/- reduction in assessments.

5.) Other Business as Legally Allowed:

The Finance Committee agreed to hold a Special Meeting on Nov 17, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. to continue working on the FY 2012/2013 Budget.

6.) Executive Session – (if needed):

None

7.)  Adjournment:

Motion was made, seconded, and carried to adjourn the meeting.  The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 pm.

Kristen Benoit

District Clerk