Municipality of Anchorage
P.O Box 390 Girdwood, Alaska 99587 http://www.muni.org/gbos	GIRDWOOD VALLEY SERVICE AREA BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Jerry Fox & Sam Daniel, Co-Chairs Tommy O’Malley, Robert Snitzer, Eryn Boone
Ethan Berkowitz, Mayor

September 8, 2016

GBOS Work Session III

MINUTES DRAFT

4:00 p.m. Girdwood Community Room

Call to Order 4:00 p.m. Sam Daniel, Chair

Attending are: Sam Daniel, Jerry Fox, Eryn Boone

Quorum Confirmed

Agenda Approved

Review of 2017 Budgets

Fire Department – Will Day and Terry Kadel presenting

Girdwood Fire Department has requested addition to flat funding for EMS from Anchorage Fire Dept. Allotment has not changed in several years, and EMS calls have increased over that time. Request increase of $150,000 in addition to existing allotment. AFD has requested additional information; hope to have response to this request from AFD in the coming weeks.

GBOS has requested flat budget for 2017, compared to 2016 approved GVFD budget. Budget currently under review meets that request.

Some unknowns that may need to factor in to the budget are:

Current salary in budget matches what Chief Chadwick earned, $65000 take home

which may be under market value

Unknown increased cost for insurance

Still shopping for insurance to be compliant with health care act.

Current budget shows increase, but this may change

Professional Services
Decreased this item significantly as work will be concluded with Foraker Group.

Possible unknown fees if additional work needs to be done.

Amount of 2016 4th Quarter Drop unknown

Accounting error may result in $40,000 less in drop than in other quarters.

2 items from 2016 fire dept budget were not taxed for in 2016, leaving shortfall of $51,000. This has been reviewed at previous budget meetings. It is recommended that this shortfall is handled through allocation of funds from the Fire Dept Reserve Fund. Previously discussed taking from Undesignated fund, however that fund has been tapped for other projects (Fire Hall construction, primarily). Until those funds are unencumbered, it’s better to allocate from other areas. Group requests that this topic be added to the MOA/GBOS Quarterly Meeting agenda on October 25.

GBOS Meeting Agendas and minutes are available on line: http://www.muni.org/gbos

Motion from GBOS will be needed to move these funds so that they are available to GVFD to spend on operations.

Jerry Fox thanks Fire dept for producing great budget documents that are easy to understand and compare. He asks that if funds do come from EMS request, would it be possible to lower the 2017 budget and keep taxes lower. If more than $70,000 comes in EMS funding, he wants GBOS to consider lowering taxes.

Group discusses other deferred costs that should be considered: turnout gear is coming close to expiration, possible need to add to Chief salary proposal, future equipment/vehicles, etc.

Eryn Boone asks about possible grant funding for turnout gear, etc. Will Day states that he is looking at grants, but comparatively, Girdwood’s need as not as great as most successful applicants (ie departments without gear).

Sam Daniel states that there may be need in the future for Girdwood to bond for apparatus, since those costs are so large.

Group discusses holding public meeting to explain Girdwood’s budget and finances, perhaps in the spring when Neil Fried usually gives State overview.

Roads

No significant changes from last budget meeting.

Increase of $1800 is mostly reflecting personnel costs

Under current budget, Roads mill rate stays flat.

No funds are added to the Roads capital account.

Current amount in capital reserve account is $150,000.

Parks and Recreation

Since last budget discussion, Parks and Rec Budget shows lower contribution to Capital reserve fund ($70,000).

Next large expense is the crosswalk light.

Future project is working on the soccer field and parking for Moose Meadow area, estimated at $1M at least.

There will be work on the skate park, but materials have already been purchased and volunteer group is becoming established to do the majority of the work.

2017 non-profit grants to be discussed at 7PM this evening. Addition to usual grantees is Glacier Valley Transit, which has indicated that they will be adding service to Winner Creek trailhead up Crow Creek

Invasive weeds program is in budget @$5000. Parks and Rec received written update on weed collection this year, and will forward that to GBOS Members.

Cemetery

No budget for Cemetery for 2017. Feasibility study is going to take place soon. Study should be available for review in December.

Public Safety/Police
GBOS discusses what to do with funds that were accrued for police service in 2016 but not spent. This topic is to be added to the MOA/GBOS Quarterly Meeting agenda in October.

Jerry Fox states that he won’t be able to attend the September 19 GBOS Meeting.

He asks if he can still provide input on non-profit grant allocations.

He says he’s comfortable with current budgets, and requests that there are no increases at the final budget meeting.

Kyle Kelley states that GBOS bylaws indicate that budget approval is in fall, and has always been October. GBOS could approve parts of the budget in September and leave any areas that they are not yet ready to approve for the October meeting. Mill rate is determined after assembly approves budget and property valuations are determined.

Action Item Updates as assigned:

5:50PM Meeting Adjourn 3-0