Selectboard 11/10/25

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Town of Richmond
Special Selectboard Budget Meeting
Minutes of November 10, 2025

Members Present: Caitlin Filkins, Bard Hill, Jay Furr, David Sander
 

Absent: Adam Wood

Staff Present: Josh Arneson, Town Manager; Duncan Wardwell, Deputy Town Manager; Connie Bona, Finance Director; Matthew Cohen, Interim Police Chief; Susanne Parent, Town Clerk; Gerald Levesque, Fire Chief; Jim Feinson, Treasurer

Others Present:  Recorded by MMCTV, Jeff Forward, Matt Crabb, Trevor Brooks

MMCTV Video: https://youtu.be/bH-HrlpIPiE?si=vZo3oHTN0Kymu2ft

Call to Order: 7:00 p.m.
 

Welcome by:  Filkins
 

Public Comment:  Forward suggested implementing a local option tax dedicated to the Wastewater treatment facility upgrade.

Additions, Deletions or Modifications to Agenda:   Arneson reviewed that the Wastewater upgrade funding will be discussed at the Water and Sewer Commissioners November 17 meeting (https://www.richmondvt.gov/calendar/meeting/water-and-sewer-11-17-25)

Items for Presentation or Discussion with those present


Review of Fourth Quarter FY25 financials
Timestamp: 0:04
https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/11/3a1_QTR_4_FY25_Budget_Status_General.pdf

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/11/3a2_QTR_4_FY25_Budget_Status_Highway.pdf

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/11/3a3_QTR_4_FY25_General_Fund_Financials_11-06-25.pdf

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/11/3a4_QTR_4_FY25_General_Fund_Financials_11-06-25.xlsx

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/11/3a5_QTR_4_FY25_Backup__1_Delinquent_Tax_Report.pdf

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/11/3a6_QTR_4_FY25_Backup__2_Education_Taxes.pdf

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/11/3a7_QTR_4_FY25_Backup__3_General_Ledger_Tax_Revenue.pdf

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/11/3a8_QTR_4_FY25_Backup__4_Cash_Receipts_Report.pdf

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/11/3a9_QTR_4_FY25_Backup__5_Tax_Year_Status_Report.pdf

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/11/3a9_QTR_4_FY25_Backup__5_Tax_Year_Status_Report.pdf

Arneson summarized the items in the packet. There is a current negative $206,000 balance in FY25 (July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025).  The audit showed that Unassigned funds decreased by about $211,000 from FY 24 to FY 25.   A negative $1.7 million balance is noted in the Highway fund due to the July 2024 flood.  Arneson stated that Bona provided comments in the documents. 

Arneson confirmed $2 million spent on flood-related expenses, mostly from Highway funds. Arneson reviewed that $563,000 in FEMA reimbursements were received with $987,000 pending.  Arneson mentioned additional FHWA reimbursements for Hinesburg and Huntington Roads.

Discussion of projected end of FY26 balances for Unassigned Funds and Restricted Funds
Timestamp: 0:11

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/11/3b1_FY27_Capital_Plan___2B_10-23-25_Projected_Unassigned_funds_11-06-25.xlsx

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/11/3b2_FY27_Budget_Draft__2B_Projected_Unassigned_funds_11-06-25.pdf

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/11/3b3_FY27_Budget_Draft__2B_Projected_Unassigned_funds_11-06-25.xlsx

https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Selectboard/Meetings/2025/11/3b4_Appropriations_Tracking_27_for_SB_Meeting_as_of_11-7-25.pdf

Arneson reviewed the policy that 15% of the budget must be on hand in Unassigned or Restricted Funds for FY27 or $368,000. The Highway Department ends FY25 at a deficit of $1.2 million with $563,000 from FEMA and $987,000 expected from FEMA.  Arneson stated that they committed $78,000 Unassigned Funds to the FY26 budget.  Arneson proposed the increase in hours for the Assistant Town Clerk and for Bona to train her replacement when she resigns this Spring. Arneson discussed payroll savings, vacancy savings, and other budget adjustments to reach a projected balance of $1.1 million in Unassigned Funds.  Arneson stated that $877,000 could be put towards the FY27 budget.  Furr observed that if they do not overfund the Reserve accounts then they might lower the tax rate to close to 3.7%. 


Review of draft FY27 Budget
Timestamp: 0:23

Arneson presented the increase in the
-Highway Capital Reserve to $575,000 (with $250,000 from Restricted funds)
-Police Capital Reserve to $200,000 (with $100,000 Unassigned Funds)
-Fire Capital Reserve to $220,000 (with $50,000 Unassigned Funds)
That puts a total of $420,000 from Unassigned and Restricted funds into the reserves with leaves $457,000 in combined Unassigned so $380,000 could be put toward the budget and $76,000 to go towards a tax offset in FY27 from Restricted funds. Arneson reviewed the projected contributions to FY27.  Arneson summarized that the current budget would be a 3.31% increase over the prior year, assuming FEMA funds will be received.  Arneson stated that there is an option to have no tax increase if they do not overfund the Reserves.  Arneson calculated that if $150,000 did not go into Reserves but as a tax offset then it would be a 0% increase from last year.

Bona reviewed how she finessed the numbers going into Reserves so that for the next 15 years it would be between $600,000-$700,000. Bona suggested taking the Bridge & Culvert Reserve and putting it into a CD so they can put the interest back into the Reserve.  The same thing can be done for the purchase of a Fire Truck as long as they have cash flow for operations.  

Arneson presented the changes in the regular budget:
-$5,000 for support for the new Finance Director
-Reduced health insurance due to employees going to 2-person plans from family

-Moved the Contracted Ground Maintenance from Administration to Recreation, Trails and Public Spaces

-Tree Maintenance request for $25,000 was taken out as it could be a Conservation Reserve request
-Removed the late appropriation requests for Lake Iroquois Association and Richmond Community Band
-The cost for July 4^th fireworks went from $15,000 to $22,000 (but still needs to approve contract)

Arneson reviewed the revenue for the Town Center Reserve fund was increased to $30,000 to match the budgeted expenses. Arneson suggested looking at charging all the Town Center building expenses (utilities, insurance and maintenance) to the Town Center Fund where now it is at three-quarters.  Arneson suggested other funding options:
-Reduce Police officers to 3.5 instead of 4 which reduces the expenses by $63,000 
-Eliminate the $5,000 per diem for the new Finance Director training
-Eliminate the $95,000 contribution to the Bridge Culvert Reserve and get a loan

-Reduce Fire Capital Reserve to $150,000 from $175,000

-Reduce Highway Reserve to $395,000 from $410,000
-Keep Assistant Town Clerk at 12 hours which would save $17,000
-Remove the $15,840 contribution to the Williston Community Justice Center
 
Forward suggested having different Police vehicles for different needs so there are not several cars idle. Cohen suggested at least two cars plus a backup.  Hill reviewed the current collective bargain agreement for the Officer’s take-home cars.  Bona stated that they are set to purchase a Police cruiser in FY27 and two cruisers in FY28.  Cohen summarized that if they move forward with a aggressive recruitment strategy then they are going to need vehicles available, or funds set aside to order a vehicle.  Filkins stated that she would rather make the decision next year if they need an additional vehicle.  Arneson confirmed that this budget includes a full-time Police Chief and four full-time Officers.  Forward suggested purchasing an electric vehicle for a Police car.  Cohen preferred a hybrid vehicle. Bona suggested taking the vacancy savings from the Police Department and putting it back into the Police budget.  Hill stated his concern for putting guardrails on each line item as it is the Selectboard’s authority to move dollars.  Filkins suggested putting $50,000 towards the budget instead of the Police Reserves. 

Hill suggested not raiding the Town Center Reserve funds due to the contractors for near-term and long-term work. 

Bona confirmed that the Southview Bridge Reserve is $1,000,000 out to FY31. Hill debated the balance between how much we get from current taxpayers who might not benefit where a loan better fits the expenditure.

Arneson illustrated a tax rate increase of 1.64% by just going to 3.5 Officers. Arneson presented decreasing some of the Southview Bridge and Highway Reserves which would further decrease the tax rate increase to 0.45% from last year.  If they do not contribute to the Community Justice Center (due to changes in services) then the tax rate increase becomes 0.04%.  Arneson reviewed that at the next budget meeting they will have actual insurance rates from PACIF, which will be an increase from last year.  Filkins suggested looking at saving some from the contributions to the Fire Department extension.  Arneson confirmed that the Selectboard was fine with asking the Conservation Commission to fund the $25,000 for Tree Maintenance.  Bona presented that in FY42 there should be over $1,000,000 in the Town Center Capital Plan.  Bona presented the Library Capital plan for water diversion ($50,000 in FY30), the roof ($225,000 in FY31), and steps ($60,000 in FY 32).  Bona reviewed that if they have to take a Town Center loan, it will make all the $600,000 Reserve numbers go up. 

Bona stated that they have one more budget meeting scheduled. Hill reviewed that insurance and a Conservation Commission discussion was on the table.  Bona also mentioned the county tax, Simpleroute Technology Services, Fire Department salaries, July 4^th fireworks, and Grand List estimate. Hill reiterated Forward’s request to contemplate a local options tax for a specific purpose or wastewater.  Hill also mentioned investigating a CHIP district (https://accd.vermont.gov/economic-development/vepc/chip), where the Legislature tried to make it easier for infrastructure to support housing development.          

Adjourn

Sander moved to adjourn. Hill seconded.
Roll Call Vote: Filkins, Furr, Hill, Sander in favor. Motion approved.


Meeting adjourned at: 8:54 PM

Chat file from Zoom: 
01:37:19          Jeff Forward:  The Chevy Blazer EV is pursuit rated : www.gmenvolve.com/fleet/police/chevrolet-blazer-ppv-ev

01:38:27          Jeff Forward:  Ask the new Town Energy Coordinator to help do some analysis on EV vs. Conventional

01:42:22          Caitlin Filkins:            Reacted to "Ask the new Town Ene..." with 👍🏻

01:45:49          Jeff Forward:  No flood yet this year. The ’27 flood happened in Nov.

02:17:35          Caitlin Filkins:            “Vermont CHIP: A recent housing law in Vermont that allows municipalities to borrow money for infrastructure to build new housing, which is then paid back over time using future tax revenue from new homes and businesses.”

02:18:00          Jeff Forward:  I suspect a local option tax will require a charter change which might mean a vote by the taxpayers and approval by the legislature. That would likely mean it would not be approved this next legislative session.

02:19:40          Jeff Forward:  I am talking about a local option tax not TIF.

02:21:13          Jeff Forward:  Lots of mountain bikers

02:22:09          Jeff Forward:  Groceries are not taxable

02:23:16          Jeff Forward:  The Tax department should be able to tells how much R&M are raised in Richmond

02:26:16          Jeff Forward:  Thank you all