Town of Westfield 2007 Municipal Budget

1. Town of Westfield 2007 Municipal Budget

2. 2007 Budget Headlines • Two Full Time positions reduced to Part Time • One Part time position eliminated • Effective collective bargaining negotiations – Total Salaries increase less than 2% • Effective Health Insurance negotiations along with negotiated plan design changes yield increase well below trends (4.9%) • State Aid increases for the first time since 2004. The modest $84,686 increase is offset by approximately $60,000 the Town will pay due to the State imposed 7% sales tax on parking revenues. • Average assessed home in Westfield in 2007 equals $181,500. Municipal budget represents an increase of $9.91/month on average assessed home.

3. 2007 Budget Challenges • Additional Pension Contributions = +$556,980 (62.8%) • Additional Assessment from RVSA = +$221,300 (11.1%) • Increases in Fuel and Utility Costs = +$45,000 (7.2%) • Increase in Group Health Insurance = +$175,000 (4.9%) • Salary Increases = +$313,714 (1.9%) • Public Library Increase = +$258,842 (12.4%) • Debt Service Increase = +$191,600 (14.3%) • Animal Control Services = +$25,000 (71.4%) • Leaf, Brush, Grass & Tree Service Costs = +106,000 (50.2%) • Reserve for Uncollected Taxes = +$50,000 (2.8%)

4. 2006 Total Tax Collections $112,634,071.23

5. 2007 Appropriation Breakdown

6. 2007 Appropriations “Budget Busters” Statutory/Required Expenditures PERS + $113,000 (93.5%) PFRS + $436,300 (57%) Library + $258,842 (12.4%) RVSA + $221,300 (11.1%) Group Insurance + $175,000 (4.9%)

7. Did You Know… • The Municipal Budget includes appropriations for: • Street Lighting $295,000 • Public Fire Hydrants $480,600 • Senior Transportation Services $102,270 • School Crossing Guards $448,000 • Reserve for Uncollected Taxes $1,840,000

8. 2007 Revenue Breakdown Revenue Sources - Property Taxes - State Aid - Miscellaneous Revenue - Grants (offset by appropriations) - Fund Balance

9. 2007 Revenue Breakdown

10. Did You Know… • Anticipated Revenue Sources include: • Municipal Court Fines and Fees $590,000 • Parking Permits, Meters & Pay Stations $1,700,000 • Building Department Fees $950,000 • Interest on Income & Investments $680,000 • State Aid $4,569,589 • Delinquent Taxes $975,000 • Fund Balance $4,000,000

11. Tax Calculation Formula Total Appropriations $36,020,729 minus Anticipated Revenues $15,838,776 equals Local Purpose Tax $20,181,953 divided by Total Assessed Value $1,864,139,453 equals Local Tax Rate 1.083 per $100 assessed value

12. Tax Cost Comparison 2006 Average Assessed Home = $179,800 2007 Average Assessed Home = $181,500 20062007*Inc. County Tax $2,271 $2,409 + $138 School Tax $6,820 $7,120 + $300 Local Tax $1,847$1,966+ $119 Total Tax $10,938 $11,495 + $557 (5.1%) * 2007 Tax Costs Estimated

13. Continued Examination … • Capital Improvement Plan • Management of Debt Service • Strategies to manage RVSA assessments • Group Health Insurance premiums • Contract Negotiations • Shared Services • Revenue Sources

14. Increases for 2008 Budget • Additional 20% increase in Pension Contributions (PFRS 100%, PERS 80%) • Additional Assessment from RVSA • Increases in Fuel and Energy Costs • Group Health & Casualty Insurance • Union Contracts • Continuation of Services (Leaf Collection, Snow Removal, Street Lighting, Recycling, Police & Fire Services, Conservation Center, Infrastructure Improvements, etc…)

15. 2007 Budget Challenges Met • Health Insurance Costs Reduced by Effective Contract Negotiations • Staffing Levels decreased where possible. 2 F/T positions reduced to 2 P/T positions and 1 P/T position eliminated • Effective management of revenue sources to maintain and increase income to reduce tax burden • Comprehensive examination of total budget producing real savings in all departments