(6/20) Chief Financial Officer Linda Joyce presented budget amendments for fiscal year 2024 at the June 18 meeting. Many of the amendments were reallocations of previously approved projects, to be adopted at the July 2 meeting if approved.

Because the projects had already been approved by the Town Council at past meetings, there weren’t many objections.

Commissioner Marty Burns raised concerns about paying an electric department staff member’s mileage, which was $3,000. The Town truck that the staff member had been using was in a wreck, causing him to use his personal vehicle. Burns objected to paying for the staff member’s mileage, specifically his commute to and from work.

Town Manager Jim Humerick explained that this staff member is supposed to have a "take home" vehicle, which is why the Town is reimbursing mileage and other related expenses.

"Whether he rates a vehicle to take-home or not, we’re not paying him for mileage," Burns said, also adding that he is concerned about the costs for taxpayers.

Mayor John Kinnaird added that he thinks it’s more than fair for the staff member to be reimbursed because the take-home vehicle was part of his compensation package. "I don’t support that at all," Burns said. "I don’t think that’s remotely reasonable."

As the commissioners dove deeper into discussing the mileage, Humerick reminded the Council that personnel matters should not be discussed in a public meeting. He clarified that the mayor and commissioners could still discuss the expenditure itself, which includes approving or not approving the ordinance.

Commissioner Bill Blakeslee pointed out that it didn’t matter whether or not the Board approved the ordinance or not because the staff member had already been reimbursed. He suggested the Board talk later about the issue, to which Kinnaird agreed.

Other issues involved the condition of the fences in the parks. Repairs came under $7,500 and did not require Board approval until the Amendments. While the commissioners questioned the need for the repairs, Humerick said he was worried about the condition and safety of the fences and that the repairs were necessary.

The parks department also reallocated money for new mowers after discovering additional ball field mowing was needed. They also reallocated money for Eyler Road Playground improvements.

Under the general fund, the Town will be increasing funding received from state grants by $597,719 and increasing miscellaneous grants by $3,500. The grants coming in are expected to Joyce clarified that these amounts are solely what the Town has received as of June 18, but will be expecting additional grant money coming in. Some of the projects funded by the grants have already been completed but were discussed to be written into the record.

Joyce also read into the record the streets impact fees and parks impact fees, which was transferred from the Restricted Fund Balance. The Amendment records additional interest earned as a result of revising bank accounts structure. According to Joyce, the Town’s new sweep account earned $388, 920 in interest since approved. However, with the new bank account, comes additional fees at $7,000, which Joyce included in the amendment.

The biggest expense was $91,012 for the Church Street Parcel Purchase and "various expenses" related to the Emmitsburg Road Flood Study, which came from the Unrestricted Fund Balance. The parcel is intended for storm water management.

"The approval’s already been done, and of course the purchase, it’s just a matter of making an actual, official budget amendment," Joyce said.

The finance department reallocated funds when an accountant went from full-time to part-time contract for the next 3-4 months. The difference includes not only a decrease in salary but the Town will no longer need to pay for retirement and other fees for this employee. The new accounting software will replace this accountant.

The wastewater fund also received more revenue than budgeted over the last year. The Department’s expenses covered unexpected costs such as a new radiator, plant chemicals, etc.

The water fund received $26,000 more in revenue than budgeted. According to Joyce, the water department had "bad luck in the vehicle department" which led to unexpected expenses, among other expenses added to the amendment.