Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Budgeting topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board of Estimate approves senior-program budget shift, CDBG action plan and several departmental measures
Summary
At a regular Board of Estimate meeting, members approved a $113,005.46 senior-program budget adjustment tied to trip refunds and future bookings, accepted a $1,000 Middletown Lions scholarship, authorized the city's annual CDBG action plan for HUD submission and approved an ATF overtime reimbursement to the police overtime line, among other routine items.
The Board of Estimate approved multiple routine budget and administrative items at its meeting, including a $113,005.46 transfer in the senior-program budget to cover refunds and prepayments tied to group trips, officials said.
Maria, a city staff member who briefed the board, said a vendor cancelled a Cape Cod trip after it could not accommodate the number of seniors who signed up, creating immediate refund obligations. "The company couldn't accommodate the amount of, seniors that wanted to attend, so they canceled," Maria said, adding that new bookings and future trip revenue should replenish the line over time. Board members discussed having a staff member accompany overnight vendor-run trips beginning in 2027 to provide continuity and comfort for participants; Maria said on some vendor-programmed trips the vendor covers a staff position via a donation line rather than the city paying a salary.
The board also unanimously accepted a $1,000 donation from the Middletown Lions Club to fund camp scholarships.
On the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) annual action plan, Maria explained the plan must be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to secure the city's yearly allocation of CDBG funds. The board authorized the mayor to sign all necessary documents for the CDBG action plan.
The police chief reported that the department partnered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives on a narcotics investigation and submitted overtime documentation for reimbursement. The chief said the first reimbursement, $40,062.34 (covering March overtime related to that investigation), should be returned to the police overtime budget; he said two additional payments are expected. The board approved returning the reimbursement to the overtime line.
Other approved items included a 63-month Canon copier lease at $2,540 per month (plus copy charges), a $75,000 transfer within the fire department from personnel services to overtime with a follow-up meeting on fire overtime scheduled for the week, and authorization to purchase a replacement Kifco Water Reel irrigation system from Store Tractor Company for $23,004.76. Parks staff explained the funds will come from park budget lines; the presiding official cautioned against routinely authorizing individual purchases without an associated transfer but allowed the authorization after staff confirmed available funds.
Before adjourning, the presiding official noted there were no sewer lawn maintenance adjustments requiring action and the board moved to adjourn.
Votes at a glance: all motions on the published agenda (approval of minutes; Item 3.1 senior budget adjustment; Item 3.2 Middletown Lions scholarship acceptance; Item 3.3 CDBG action plan authorization; Item 3.4 ATF reimbursement to police overtime; Item 3.5 Canon lease; Item 3.6 fire department transfer; Item 3.7 irrigation system purchase) were moved, seconded and carried by voice vote with "Aye" responses recorded on the record.
