Financial Task Force Committee Reports Update
By Robin Vinci at February 22, 2024 | 10:44 pm | Print
The Financial Task Force Committee reported its latest findings in trying to save money in the next budget during Wednesday night’s Common Council meeting.
The group still has 11 more departments to interview and plans to meet twice a week to get that work done.
At this time it has found several ways it hopes will help to cut down on budget costs.
Marjorie Hackett-Wallace, Chairman of the Audit Committee, said the committee found a number of departments that had significantly overspent their overtime budgets.
Another big problem was that the City still has fees at the amount it was 40 plus years ago.
“Certain fees that we have been looking at have not been updated since 1970 in some cases,” said Hackett-Wallace.
Some fines across the state have been changed from $100 to $250 and City still has them at $100.
“In reviewing contracts and health plans there could be potential savings by pooling plans or creating an employee bargaining agent coalition that could stabilize health care costs going forward,” said Hackett-Wallace.
Another way to streamline cost is by centralizing supplies.
“Some departments are purchasing supplies through catalogs or going out to buy them,” said Hackett-Wallace. “That does not offer the best bang for their buck. We are looking at centralizing that.”
The way license plate readers are utilized is another thing the committee wants to look into. Presently it is being used from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. when City Hall is open. The committee would like the City to get a live streamline plate reader allowing the enormous amount of back taxes to be paid 24 hours a day.
“It will help close our deficit,” said Hackett-Wallace.
Another concern voiced was that different departments are collecting revenue. If it was centralized, it would cut down on the costs for various departments.
“It appears we are lagging technology wise and that we could streamline work and make less effort to get the same amount of work done,” said Hackett-Wallace.
Mark Fortin, of the audit committee, said that for example, past years bills are not linked with current year’s bills and automating the process would make it easier for everyone.
“We are also considering a public hearing for input on ways to save money and be more efficient,” said Fortin. “If we can provide a mechanism or forum to provide those ideas the city would be better off.”
“I thank your for the amount of work it takes especially trying to look backward to see why we are in the jam we are in today,” said Michael Trueworthy, mayor pro-tem.
“It’s been a lot of work rolling up your sleeves and I certainly thank for your service,” Mayor Tim O’Brien told the committee. “I know the budget I will ultimately adopt will have a lot of your ideas.”
An interim report by the committee is planned for mid-March. The final report will be given late March or early April.
