OFFICE OF THE SELECTBOARD

TOWN OF HALIFAX, VERMONT

SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES

December 7th, 2024

6:00 PM AT THE HALIFAX TOWN OFFICE

CALL TO ORDER

Edee Edwards called the meeting to order at 3:30pm. Other Selectboard members present were: Emily Dow, Randy Pike, Karen Christofferson and Tristan Roberts. Members of the public were Stephen Chait, Stephanie Pike and Patty Dow.

CHANGES AND ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA

FY26 Budget planning has begun. 

OLD BUSINESS

The current FY24 Deficit is present but not finalized until Patty Dow can take a detailed look at it. 

Halifax has been growing with recent updates including a new Town Garage Roof that was $83,000; as well as asking the voters to approve the purchase of the Equipment Loader and Excavator. Funds from school overpayment and obtaining Educational Revenue Augmentation Fund.   

Stephanie Pike and Patty Dow arrived at the meeting in person at 3:40pm

Stephen Chait mentioned: Taxes have raised 21% largely due to the education component. He expressed that the budget should be conscious to what everyone is currently paying. What part is municipal versus education: shown on Tax schedule and bill.

Stephanie Pike spoke about an article mentioning the property tax will raise 5%. 

Karen Christofferson and Patty Dow created a Budget Worksheet up to current FY25. This spreadsheet is carefully crafted with accuracy on all expenditures within and out of the budget. Questions we ask about managing the budget include: Does the bill get funded and give the townspeople no change? Does the budget get cut or increased? Ideally, the budget should account for extra costs that may be unforeseeable. 

Karen began screensharing and began walking everyone through the functionality of the Budget Worksheet

Surplus Deficit Sheet

The Surplus Deficit sheet is a document of record for financial changes. A line item was removed for a tax rebate. The table should show at the end of FY25 we had a deficit versus a surplus. It is Self funded as seen in the spreadsheet also includes reserve funds, but only if it’s stated in an article. FY24 didn’t have any special reserve funds in articles as they were included in the budget. 

Selectboard Discretion Analysis Sheet

Looking at line item 118: It is newly added to reflect the initial budget. It is noted that the town does not have to accrue the amount you see for FY26, only the backfill amount. Edits may add a row to show more transparency in where funds and costs come from. Added Line 117: Budget Deficit to reflect related number on Surplus Deficit page.

Selectboard Needle Movers

Please note that the amounts shown in the spreadsheet are from the actual budget line items.

• Child care is a new tax Halifax endured and had the option to have employees cover .11% as the town covers .33% for a total of .44% to assist in paying the taxes the state imposed. The board is making a change that is impacting all employees and needs further discussion.
• Looking at Accounting Services and proposing to change the budget to account for the audit for FY25. Karen and Emily will work on retrieving auditor bids. For which audit needs to be done by January 2026, audits will start Fall of 2025.
• In reference to the bridge construction, it is the Selectboard’s responsibility rather than the Highway Dept. Therefore, Structures Grants can be obtained and can help with the costs as well as basing on historic notes, the Reserve Fund may benefit from an increase to prepare for future projects.
• Fire Equipment and Gear budget should be risen to better serve the needs of the department. Line item for the Fire Equipment and Gear will be level fund for FY26 plus $1K previously allocated via Article 7 for FY25.

Tristan left the meeting at 5:40pm

• Town Clerk: Patty Dow mentioned the cost of living increased 3.2% for FY24. Budget proposal increased to $27,500.
• Constable/ACO: It would be beneficial to have an Animal Control Ordinance. The Windham County Sheriff’s Office can provide ACO services for $2,700. 
• Telephone and Internet: Speaking about switching to DV Fiber with internet and phone service. It is dependent on number of phone lines able to be hooked up. Estimated monthly internet savings is roughly $250 or $3,000 annually.

At 6:27pm the Selectboard stopped at Row 37.

The topic during the next meeting will be about the highway expenditures.

HEARING OF VISITORS

No visitors wanted to speak

 ADJOURNMENT

Randy Pike made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:30pm. Karen Christofferson seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-0.

Respectfully submitted,

Emily Dow

Halifax Administrative Assistant

Recording Link: https://youtu.be/r9mMX_Ad8us