HomeMy Public PortalAbout2023-10-23 Special Budget Meeting Minutes BOROUGH OF FRANKLIN LAKES
Special Budget Meeting of the Mayor and Council
October 23, 2023
A special meeting of the Mayor and Council was held at 8:30 AM on October 23, 2023 in the
Municipal Building.
Meeting Called to Order
Roll Call
The following Council Members and Professional Staff responded to the roll call:
Mayor Kahwaty, Councilmember Ansh, Councilmember Cardenas, Councilmember Lambrix,
Councilmember Sheppard (via teleconference), Council President Bonagura, Borough
Administrator Hart, Borough Attorney Smith, Chief Financial Officer Pike and Borough Clerk
Rulli. Councilmember Kelly arrived at 8:34 AM.
Sunshine Law Statement:
The Borough Clerk read the Sunshine Law Statement: In compliance with the Open Public
Meetings Law, notification of this meeting has been sent to our official newspapers, notice has
been posted on the Borough website and on the Bulletin Board at Borough Hall.
Flat Salute
Moment of Silent Appreciation to Our Veterans
Time for Public Comment
Motion to open the time for public comment was made by Councilmember Cardenas, seconded by
Councilmember Ansh. On voice vote, all in favor.
No one from the public came forward at this time.
Motion to close the time for public comment was made by Councilmember Ansh, seconded by
Councilmember Cardenas. On voice vote, all in favor.
Discussion - 2023 & 2024 Budget
Mr. Hart reported he and CFO William Pike met with the Budget Committee, consisting of
Councilmember Lambrix and Councilmember Cardenas, to discuss the status of the budget. The
Committee wanted to review the budget with the Mayor and Council for some expenses that may
impact budgets this and next year.
Mr. Pike handed out and reviewed a previously circulated report showing year to date numbers
through September 30, 2023. He gave an overview of items such as current revenue, interest
income, Energy Receipts Tax, reserve for municipal relief aid monies, State Aid, the Affordable
Housing Trust Fund, County road projects,police overtime, and the snowplowing and salt budget.
Special Meeting of the Mayor and Council Page 2
October 23, 2023 Minutes
Councilmember Sheppard joined the meeting in person at 8:48 PM.
Discussion ensued on reserve and surplus,vehicle maintenance, medical transfers,tax appeals, and
Parsons Pond Park electric bills.
Mr. Hart provided a handout for illustrative purposes with 2024 increases such as Library, Fire
Department stipends, Ambulance Corps stipends, School Resource Officer costs, Police
promotions, AFSCME, non-contractual increases, amongst others. He noted that some factors,
such as inflation, are not calculated in the budget.
Mr. Pike and Mr. Hart advised the Mayor and Council why some areas are much tighter in the
expense side than in years past, that departments have been asked to not move forward with
purchases without approval, and we are looking at a tenuous budget through the year end.
Discussion held on credit ratings, transferring of funds, budget cuts, and likeliness of needing to
go out to bond for the affordable housing units the Borough is required to build.
Adiournment
Motion to adjourn the meeting was made at 9:33 AM by Councilmember Sheppard, seconded by
Councilmember Kelly. On voice vote, all in favor.
Respec ll submitte ,
.
Gail . Rulli, Borough Clerk