North Adams Finance Panel Recommends 2014 Budget
 The Finance Committee and Mayor Richard Alcombright went through a final review of the city's budget for fiscal 2014. |
Since the proposed budget in May, changes in its line items showed $12,325 added and $130,044 subtracted, dropping the budget by a total of $118,119.
These changes include adjustments in expenses, salaries and bond anticipation.
The Finance Committee voted to recommend each section of the budget.
One subject revisited from May's meeting was eliminating the City Council's monthly stipend system. Under the new system, councilors would have to file their expenses for reimbursement.
City Council President Michael Bloom opposed the new measure and didn't feel like it's been an issue in the past.
"I think this system, it's worked well for as long as I can remember," said Bloom. "I don't think it puts an excessive burden on the existing budget... I really don't understand why you would want to change that."
The mayor said its difficult to "gauge how many other expenses, other than the $40 a month, councilors might have" if they stick with the same system.
Administrative Officer Michael Canales said the $5,000 City Council expense budget can still remain the same with the stipend — which totals to $480 per councilor per year, a total of $4,320. The remaining $880 could be used for additional expenses.
The City Council will continue to use the stipend system in fiscal 2014.
The key expense for councilors is attending the Massachusetts Municipal Association meeting, which City Councilor John Barrett III said can cost around $1,000 after parking, hotel room and dinners — costs he spent also with his own money.
Barrett said he always funded anyone who wanted to go to MMA meetings when he was mayor and that the money should be available for councilors, in addition to the stipend.
"I know I always funded anybody who wanted to go," Barrett said. "It's an education, there's changing laws that are going on. I just don't see how a $38 million budget can't find $2,500."
The library saw a $20,027 drop in its salaries and $5,750 in expenses since the May proposal. A full-time clerk will retire and not be replaced, and donations will cover supplies, the mayor said.
The largest drop in expenses was from bond anticipation, which decreased from $96,552 to $5,948 because the delay in moving forward with the Conte School project has also delayed bonding costs and interest payments.
Bloom also suggested for the mayor to get a 5 percent raise starting Jan. 1, bringing his salary to $88,693, but Alcombright politely declined, and noted there's no space in the budget.
"I don't think we can raise the budget, only decrease it," Alcombright said.
Also in attendance were City Councilors Marie Harpin and Jennifer Breen. Breen attended after the License Commission meeting.
The City Council will meet and decide on a budget on Tuesday, June 25.
Tags: budget, Finance Committee, fiscal 2014,
