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april 6 2023 town council budget work session minutes

Minutes April 6, 2023 · 2 page(s)

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Town Council of Centreville
Budget Work Session
April 6, 2022
5:30 p.m.
M I N U T E S
The April 6, 2023, Town Council budget work session was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Vice President Ashley H.
Kaiser at the Liberty Building, 107 N. Liberty Street, 2nd floor meeting room. The following members and staff
were present: Steven K. Kline, President (via Zoom); Ashley H. Kaiser, Vice President; Eric B. Johnson, Jr. and
Jim A. Beauchamp, Members; Charles (Chip) Koogle, Town Manager (via Zoom); Karen Luffman, Finance
Officer; Clifford (Kip) Matthews, Director of Public Works; Krystel Ebaugh, Human Resources Manager (via
Zoom); Ashley Russ, Finance Specialist; Jacki Payne, Administrative Assistant; and Carolyn Brinkley, Town
Clerk.
Citizens Forum
No citizens offered comments.
Discussion
 There was a discussion regarding IT and the Council requested an email address –
towncouncil@townofcentreville.org be created that would go to all Council Members to allow citizens to email
all members at once.
 An email retention policy should be created for when the Town switches IT services from Queen Anne’s
County.
 As requested, Ms. Luffman reported that she recalculated the revenue based on the constant yield rate of
$0.5207 which is equivalent to $3,410,535 in revenue which is a decrease of $76,522 from the current tax rate
of $0.535.
 Mr. Kline reported that a member of the Goodwill Fire Company will be present at the next budget work
session to request additional funds.
 Mr. Beauchamp asked if the bid for the operations of the water and wastewater plants was successful. Mr.
Matthews reported that one company bid however, few companies called to indicate they could not bid for lack
of staffing.
 Mr. Matthews reported that the transition date is scheduled for July 1st which will allow 30-days to evaluate and
give notice to proceed. He stated that the Maryland Environmental Service (MES) submitted a bid of
$309,000.
 Mr. Johnson asked about the increase in the water meter line item. Mr. Matthews stated there is a large
increase because both Symphony Village and North Brook need their water meters replaced. He reported that
he ordered 150 meters in December 2022 which is not expected to be delivered until December 2023.
 The Council requested a comparison between the one bidder, MES, and the Town running the plant to compare
the costs associated with each.
 Mr. Johnson asked Mr. Matthews about any vehicles for his department. Mr. Matthews stated he has been
asking for a Vactron truck that will replace three (3) pieces of equipment that costs approximately $520,000.
Mr. Beauchamp asked if this vehicle would be available to lease. Mr. Matthews stated he was not positive and
would have to check.
 Mr. Beauchamp asked Mr. Matthews what line items he is most concerned about. Mr. Matthews stated he is
concerned about all of them due to inflation and where the economy is going.
 Ms. Kaiser asked if other municipalities have a Vactron and if so, could Centreville borrow it? Mr. Matthews
stated, yes, other municipalities have it but due to the cost of the equipment, it probably could not be borrowed.
 Mr. Koogle asked how much a contractor cost each time we call them. Mr. Matthews stated $350 per hour.
 Mr. Kline discussed the F250 that was in the Water/Wastewater Department and was given to the Police
Department as well as, the Humvee. He stated he does know because the Humvee was military surplus, the
Town is restricted on how it can be sold. He requested a prioritized list of needs to be presented to the Council
if monies were to be moved from the permanent fund.
 Mr. Matthews stated that it was his decision to transfer the F250 to the Police Department because when MES
took over, this was a surplus vehicle. He stated the Police Department has used in the past to set up street
2023-04-06 TC-Budget WS Approved Minutes

barricades, fencing, etc. The Police Department has also transferred vehicles to the Public Works department
in the past as well.
 The Council stated they would like to see a policy on the transfer of assets and monies between departments.
 Ms. Luffman gave an update on ARPA and Mr. Beauchamp asked of the Vactron could be bought using ARPA
funds. Ms. Luffman stated she was pretty sure the Town could, but would double check.
 Mr. Kline requested a capital priority list be presented at the following week’s budget work session.
Citizens Forum
No citizens offered comments.
Motion to Adjourn
Mr. Johnson made a motion to adjourn the April 6, 2023 Town Council budget work session. Mr. Beauchamp
seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 6:43 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carolyn M. Brinkley
Town Clerk
Action Items:
1. Comparison between the one bidder, MES, and the Town running the water and wastewater plants to
compare the costs associated with each.
2. Capital priority list to be presented at the following week’s budget work session.
2023-04-06 TC-Budget WS Approved Minutes