Police Committee Minutes 11-11-2020
Rutland Town Select Board
Police Committee Meeting
Wednesday, November 11, 2020
9AM
Via zoom
The meeting of the Police Committee was called to order at 9AM. Present in person at the town offices were Mary Ashcroft and Sharon Russell, Select Board members; Chief Ed Dumas and Deputy Chief Ted Washburn, and Constable and Select Board Member John Paul Faignant. Participating via zoom were Bill Sweet, Administrative Assistant to the Select Board, and Chris Howland, member of the public.
The group reviewed the draft budget for the Police Department prepared by Ted Washburn. The group discussed the draft and made the following adjustments/comments:
EXPENSES:
–Social Security is increased to $23,000—Ted will check this estimate with Kari.
–A 3% COLA increase was used for all personnel. Chief and Deputy Chief salaries reflect this.
–First and Second Officer’s salaries were adjusted upward from the $42,848 budgeted for the current fiscal year for the current salaries of $46,530 each. This adjustment in the current fiscal year was made to reflect the increased hours of the Second Officer and to provide parity for the two positions. The proposed budget reflects a 3% increase for these two positions to $47,926 each.
–Part time officer position is eliminated so zero is reflected for the proposed budget.
–Part time office staff amount was adjusted upward last year because that position had been underpaid. The proposed budget amount of $26,623 reflects 3% increase over the corrected amount.
–0vertime is decreased to $6,000 to better reflect what was actually expended in the prior year.
–Communication (radios, etc.) and Equipment (lights, sirens, etc.), vehicle fuel/maintenance, training, liability lines all remain the same as last year’s budgeted amount.
–Supplies/uniforms show a slight increase of $500, to $4500 in the proposed budget.
–Vehicle purchase/lease decreases from $19,355 in the current budget year to $9,800 for the proposed budget. This is because Dumas’ cruiser is paid off and Washburn’s vehicle will be paid off next year. Next vehicle to be replaced is Houle’s vehicle, which will be in the following fiscal year and/or with the equipment depreciation fund.
– A new line item will be created for the proposed Canine Unit for the budgeted amount of $4,000. While most of the Canine Unit cost would be covered with fundraising, this amount will pay for costs such as dog food, vet care, etc.
–Health insurance costs show a big increase, from $63,000 to $90,104, due to the change in personnel during the year from single coverage to a family plan.
-Municipal retirement is estimated at $19,500, but is subject to correction by Kari.
TOTAL EXPENSES ARE $456,164.
ANTICIPATED INCOME (grants):
RT School’s share of SRO/First Officer’s salary: $50,400 *
CFAC’s contribution toward Chief Dumas’ salary: 60,000 TOTAL INCOME $110,400
TO BE RAISED BY TAXES: $345,764 Percent increase in budget: 2.88%
*RT School’s share increases due to inclusion of a portion of Amber’s benefits, cruiser, etc. Her time is calculated at $35 per hour for $180 school days.
John Paul gave an overview of his budget as Constable; that will be reviewed by the full Select Board as part of the General Budget.
There being no further public business to discuss, upon motion made, seconded and duly voted, the Police Committee went into executive session to discuss a personnel matter. The public and Bill Sweet were excluded from this discussion.
The Police Committee came out of Executive Session at 10:40AM. Upon motion made, seconded and unanimously approved, the meeting was adjourned at 10:40AM.
Respectfully submitted: Mary Ashcroft