Mount Joy BoroughCouncil Special Budget Meeting Minutes November 12, 2024 The Mount Joy Borough Council held a Special Budget Meeting on November 12, 2024. Invocation was given by Council President Hall, followed by Pledge of Allegiance. Council President Hall called the meeting to order at 6:30pm. Roll Call - Present were Councilors Crider, Eichler, Ginder, Greineder, Hall, Haigh, Kark, and Youngerman. Councilor Fahndrich was absent. Also present were Police Chief, Robert Goshen, Borough Manager, Mark Pugliese; Assistant Borough Manager, Jill Frey; Public Works Director, Dennis Nissley; Codes & Zoning Officer, Brett Hamm; and Community and Economic Development Coordinator, Rachel Stebbins. Mayor Bradley was present for al brief period oft time. Its should be noted that the video conterenengaudonsual equipment was not functioning properly preventing Mayor Bradley remote access to the meeting after his brief attendance. Greineder gave a MOTION, with a second by Kark, to approve the agenda. Kark gave al MOTION, with a second by Youngerman, to amend the MOTION to addi item 6A, to discuss 101 W. Main St. Motion carries unanimously. Girl Scout troop No. 743, along with troop leaders, Erica Rambish and Jess, came into attendance at the beginning of the Council meeting to observe and earn their Democracy badge. Mayor Bradley introduced the troop and Rambish gave an overview, explaining the troop is a combination of Daisies and Brownies and spans Girl Scout member, Parker, asked how much money we spend on the parks. Hall said approximately $250,000. Girl Scout member, Ruby, asked how the government makes the States on the flags. Hall said that each State has something special about it and then each State has the flag made with something special on it. Girl Scout member, Amelia, asked how they make splash pads. Hall said they come up with the ideas and then Girl Scout member, Stella, asked how they get the animals away when they build something. Hall said that animals are very smart and know how to move away. He said if they do not move, we help them move away Girl Scout member, Willow, asked to know more about the Toys for Tots program. The Chief briefly explained. Hamm explained that 2-3 weeks ago, Paul Paulsen, our rental inspector, was required to do a rental inspection on the property due to a new tenant moving in. He said Paulsen had concerns for the condition oft the building and called in a structural engineer, Jack McSherry, toi inspect the building. It was determined that the building was unsafe. Hamm explained some of the deteriorating conditions and then gave some solutions. Mayor Bradley said that the people were removed from the property, so they are: safe, but asked what this means for the roadway. Hamm said that we are looking into this now and seeking guidance from engineers and solicitors Vote to approve the original MOTION as amended. Motion carries unanimously. in age from kindergarten to 2nd Grade. Public Input Period He asked what she would like to see more ofi in the parks. She said slides. they have to build the pipes sO the water can come through. safely. Discussion on 101 W. Main St. toi find the next step. 2025 Budget Discussion and or Motions Hall suggested going over the other funds first and then General Fund. Pugliese reviewed the Capital Fund 2025 proposed budget and explained the general structure oft the Fund, pointing out the mini-funds within that show allocated balances within each entity of the Borough such as Police, Parks, Traffic Control, etc. Hall said he is not convinced on the $16,000 proposed to spend for the Al tool. Pugliese stated that we could have better grant acceptance with data to back up our grant requests. Hall said he would be a bit less With a MOTION by Haigh, and a second by Ginder, approval was given for the proposed 2025 Capital Fund Pugliese reviewed the Refuse Fund 2025 proposed budget. He mentioned and explained line item 04.492.010 (Transfer to General Fund), and that this line item is used to cover costs in General Fund relating skeptical if we had better plans on exactly what we were going to do with the Al tool. budget. Motion carries unanimously. to Refuse and Refuse collection and that we audit this periodically. Hall suggested changing line item 04.492.010 from $250,000 to $300,000. On a MOTION by Haigh, and a second by Greineder, approval was given to change line item 04.492.010 Hall said that if we change 04.301.001 (Fund Balance) to $149,818, the budget will be balanced. Council On a MOTION by Greineder, and a second by Ginder, approval was given for the proposed 2025 Refuse Pugliese reviewed the Highway Aid Fund 2025 proposed budget. He stated that the State funds have On a MOTION by Greineder, and a second by Ginder, approval was given for the proposed 2025 Highway The Administration & Finance Committee requested to and went into executive session at 7:42am. They Greineder asked about line item 01.451.100(Florin Station) and if the building is going to the Mount Joy Borough. Authority. Pugliese said he does not know when this is going to happen and that the agreement is On a MOTION by Greineder, and a second by Ginder, approval was given to reduce line item 01.451.100 Greineder asked about line item 01.411.500 (Contribution to Fire Department Mount Joy) and if the amount is adequate. Hamm said that the last time he heard the FDMJ was still working on their budget for 2025 and that the shortfall was somewhere around $80,000. Hall texted the Treasurer of the FDMJ and said that the On a MOTION by Greineder, and a second by Ginder, approval was given to change line item 01.411.500 Youngerman said that he would rather see the money go to the firefighters as a stipend. He said that there are other Municipalities that contribute andi that they should contribute. He said thel Mount. Joy Borough should not have to cover the entire shortfall and would like to see other Municipalities cover as well. Hall said that he agrees with Councilor Youngerman and that others should also take the shortfall. Haigh asked what percentage of calls for FDMJ are for Mount Joy Borough. Hamm said that Mount Joy Borough and Rapho Township have the two largest call volumes and that say 90% of all calls are Youngerman said that there was talk about an allocation formula across the population, number of calls and the amount of property value. He said he thought that was done. Hall said that it was proposed at one time, but it takes all four Municipalities to agree to it. Hall gave real budget contribution numbers for Mount Joy Borough, Mount Joy Township, Rapho Township and East Donegal Township. Hall requested a roll call vote on the original MOTION. Councilors Crider, Eichler, Ginder, Greineder, and Haigh voting YES. Councilors Kark and Youngerman voting NO. Council President Hall abstaining. (Transfer to General Fund) from $250,000 to $300,000. Motion carries unanimously. agreed tot the change. Fund budget. Motion carries unanimously. decreased and that we will continue to use each year's allocation for road projects. Aid Fund budget. Motion carries unanimously. returned at 7:47pm. with the Authority's Solicitor. (Florin Station) from $5,500 to $1,000. Motion carries unanimously. current shortfall is $18,000. (Contribution to Fire Department Mount Joy) from $75,000 to $93,000. between the two Municipalities, sO 45% would be Mount Joy Borough. Motion carries 5to2. Greineder asked about line item 01.410.314 (PD Legal Fees) and ift thati is what we need for next year. Hall Youngerman suggested increasing the employee contribution for health care by $10 per pay for family and $5 per pay for single. In quickly trying to estimate, the savings would be approximately $3,9001 for the year. Hall said that another line item is reduced when changing the employee health care contribution. Frey said itis line item 01.487.156 (Hospitalization Major Medical). Crider said that a $10 increase is not too much to On a MOTION by Youngerman, and a second by Kark, approval was given to reduce line item 01.487.156 (Hospitalization Major Medical) by $3,900 with a note stating that reduction will be due to increasing the employee contribution for health care cost. Councilors Crider, Eichler, Ginder, Greineder, and Youngerman Haigh asked about line item 01.409.372 (Rail Enhancements Maintenance and Repairs) and what this On a MOTION by Haigh, and a second by' Youngerman, approval was given to reduce line item 01.409.372 (Rail Enhancements Maintenance and Repairs) from $2,500 to $1,500. Motion carries unanimously. On al MOTION by Eichler, and a second by Crider, approval was given to increase line item 01.410.183 (PD Kark asked if $80,000 is sufficient and if there is a reason for the $85,000 average each year. Chief said that he likes to increase in increments and that he wants to steer away from part-time Officers. Kark Haigh asked about line item 01.410.321 (PD Phone Communication Expense) and why the budget went from $15,000 in 2024 to $18,000 in 2025. Chief said it was the cost of faster routers that the department On a MOTION by Greineder, and a second by Ginder, approval was given to establish the milage rate to 4.75 for 2025. Hall said the MOTION is out of order and that we need an Ordinance to increase the milage rate. He said we need to increase the tax revenue line item instead.' Motion failed because it was out of Haigh stated that we have $650,000 in the budget for the new Municipal complex. He asked what we doi if the bids come in lower and we do not need the full amount of debt service we have budgeted. Hall said we can still amend the budget. He said if we are decreasing the dollar amount down, we can, but if we are On a MOTION by Greineder, and a second by Haigh, approval was given to increase line item 01.301.100 (Real Estate Taxes-Current Year) by $164,446, up to $2,761,501. Motion carries unanimously. On a MOTION by Greineder, and a second by Haigh, approval was given to reduce line item 01.301.001 (Transfer from Fund Balance) by $1,898, down to $505,305. Motion carries unanimously. On a MOTION by Greineder, and a second by Ginder, approval was given for the proposed 2025 General Youngerman stated that with $6,069,000 in expenses for 2025, under Borough policy, we need to keep 25%, or $1,517,000 in General Fund balance. He said we are getting close to that once the $500,000 Haigh said that he thinks the amount budgeted for EIT for 2025 is going to be higher than what we Hall thanked all of staff for their hard work and thanked Council for engaging and called for a vote on On al MOTION by Greineder, and a second by Haigh, approval was given to advertise all funds proposed for said yes and that there are contract negotiations coming in 2025. ask for and would rather see it come in small increases instead of one large increase. voting YES. Councilors Haigh and Hall voting NO. Motion carries 6 to2. involves. Pugliese said that it is the snow removal around the train station. Overtime Wages) from $70,000 to $80,000. asked why it went up in 2024. Chief said due to injuries and Officers being out. Vote on the main MOTION. Motion carries unanimously. needed. order. increasing the dollar amount up by a significant amount, we cannot. Fund. is used for fund balance. He said that if he votes NO, it is because of this one item. budgeted. the main MOTION. Motion carries unanimously. 2025. Motion carries unanimously. On a MOTION by Greineder, and a second by Ginder, approval was given to draft an Ordinance for the On a MOTION by Greineder, and a second by Kark, approval was given for the 2025 budgets be added to increased milage rate and advertise for public review. Motion carries unanimously. the December 2, 2024, Council meeting for action items. Motion carries unanimously. Public Input Period No Public Input Period. Any Other Matter Proper to Come Before the Council the Donegal Fish and Game Commission. Eichler announced that Friday, November 15, 2024, from 5-9pm, there willl be a fundraiser at Joy's Tavern for Haigh stated that the bid opening for the new Municipal complex is Thursday, November 12, 2024 at 2pm. On a MOTION by Greineder, and a second by Ginder, meeting was adjourned at 9:08pm. Respectfully Submitted, Mark G. Borough Manager E