BUDGET WORKSHOP
MILFORD CIVIC CENTER
APRIL 14, 2010
The workshop was called to order by President Rusas at 7:00 p.m. and adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Councilmembers Present
President Theresa Rusas; Councilmembers Elizabeth Heer, Kevin Ziegler, Mike Glagola, Jerry Aubry, Jennifer Frankford, James Kovach (7:18)
Others Present
Arthur Shufflebarger, Village Manager, Becky Jacques, Treasurer/Financial Director; Barb Rollin, Ride w/Pride; Randy Sapelak, Building/Planning/Zoning
Senior Citizens Transportation/Ride with Pride
Barb Rollin was present to discuss the Senior Citizens Transportation budget. She stated ridership was stable with 263 riders enrolled. They experienced 10,000 one-way trips last year. Vehicle maintenance is biggest issue as two of the vehicles are 2005 models with over 115,000 miles. They have submitted a request for a new vehicle.
Milford Township is not expected to contribute CDBG funding next year for senior transportation. SMART credits are still being received. Ride with Pride will be holding Texas Hold’em fundraisers again this year to help with funding.
Building Department/Planning/Zoning
Randy Sapelak was present and went through these budgets with Council, highlighting any significant changes. Budget decreases were recognized in publications, training, and commissioners pay.
General Fund Revenue
Becky Jacques stated the taxable value was fourteen percent less from the prior year. Discussion was held on the refuse collection contract as the taxes collected will not cover the last two years of the contract. Headlee override was discussed and how this would affect DDA reimbursement of their refuse collection charges.
Other areas of revenue included Revenue Sharing. Ms. Jacques stated the Constitutional portion is guaranteed, however she was phasing out the Statutory revenue sharing over the next five years. Another significant change was noted in how the Data Processing Fee was being distributed. Interest on income was currently at a rate of only one percent.
Legislative
Mr. Shufflebarger stated the Conference/Workshops budget was reduced only due to lack of use. Pursuing in-house training was discussed. The Legislative Memberships included SEMCOG, Michigan Municipal League, Huron Valley Chamber of Commerce and Huron River Watershed Council. Mr. Shufflebarger felt these to be viable memberships.
Manager
Mr. Shufflebarger went over the Manager’s budget, highlighting cuts and decreases in salary and fringes.
Attorney
No significant changes. Council questioned if rates could be reduced. It was noted that the current attorney fees are very reasonable and have not be raised in several years.
Elections
There is nothing budgeted for Elections since the next election will run concurrent with the Township elections.
Clerk
There is a reduction in Salary due to the decrease in Deputy Clerk hours. It was noted a step increase was included in this budget for the Clerk based on letter of agreement upon hiring and recertification. Conference/workshops and memberships were both reduced eliminating training for the Deputy Clerk. Membership for IIMC for the Deputy Clerk will be maintained in order to retain certification.
Treasurer
Most significant change is shown in salary/wages due to the reallocation of wages to more accurately reflect time spent on various activities, i.e. Info Technology. The part-time clerical position has been eliminated. The auditors have agreed to a 20% reduction in fees, which is reflected throughout the budget.
Information Technology
Tax software needs to be updated this year. There are plans to participate in the Oakland County tax system which would eliminate the need of updates for our stand-alone. Training costs are included for the new software. Capital outlay includes replacement of administrative office computers and the purchase of a laptop for general use.
Ordinance Enforcement
No significant changes this year.
General Administration
Still working to reduce costs in office supplies. Postage shows reduction because a portion was reallocated to newsletter/calendar line item. The phone system audit is underway and we will hopefully see a significant reduction in this line item throughout the budget. The calendar will not be produced in-house this year, and the production of the newsletter has been reduced from four to two times a year. Community relations contracts with HVYA and HVCA have been cut in-half this year.
Deborah S. Frazer, Clerk | 
