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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-10-02 Finance Committee Minutes FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES October 2, 2017 Councilors in Attendance: Weston, Tremble, Sprague, Nichols, Nealley, Faircloth, Perry, Graham Staff in Attendance: Cyr, Conlow, Caruso, Linscott, Willett, Caruso, Higgins, Pelletier, Drew 1. Consent Agenda a. Report of Contracts Awarded by Staff – September 2017 b. Resolve, Accepting and Appropriating $1,441,600 in FTA FAST ACT Grant Funds for the Purchase of Five Buses Motion made and seconded to accept consent agenda, motion passed unanimously. 2. Bids/Purchasing a. Partial Roof Replacement – Parks & Rec – Finally Fix It - $59,500 Motion made and seconded to award bid to Finally Fix It, motion passed unanimously. b. Portable 4 Post Truck Lift – Fleet Maintenance – Power Washer Sales - $38,595 Motion made and seconded to award bid to Power Washer Sales, motion passed unanimously. c. Multiple Trucks – Darling’s Automall and O’Connor Auto Park - $215,751 and $68,061 Motion made and seconded to award bids to Darling’s Automall and O’Connor Auto Park as recommended, motion passed unanimously. d. Sidewalk Tractor – Public Works – HP Fairfield - $170,590 Motion made and seconded to recommend bid award to HP Fairfield to City Council, motion passed unanimously. e. Small Front End Loader – Public Works – Jordan Equipment - $79,754 Motion made and seconded to award bid to Jordan Equipment, motion passed unanimously. f. Roof Replacement – Airport – Roof Systems of Maine - $166,980 Motion made and seconded to recommend bid award to Roof Systems of Maine to City Council, motion passed unanimously. 3. Taxpayer Request to Refund Taxes Paid A representative of Anah Shrine requested the Finance Committee to consider refunding a portion of FY 16 real estate taxes. The Shrine acquired property on Broadway from a member who provided financial assistance to complete the sale through a foreclosure in 2015. The Shrine did not file a request for abatement of value during the statutory period, so the Assessor was not able to consider any reduction. The Assessor did review the property with representatives and noted that an addition had been constructed that was not reflected. As of April 1, 2015, the property was taxable as the mortgage holder had foreclosed. Therefore there were taxes owed on the property, this issue came to light to the representative present, as they were required to pay the taxes in order to obtain a license for the Circus. While all Councilors indicated their support of the philanthropic mission of the Shrine, this situation is not unusual, and they were unable to support a refund. 4. Amending Chapter 28, City Departments, by Changing Name of the Workers’ Compensation Division to Safety an Environmental Management Division Staff presented that this amendment was to more clearly reflect the current responsibilities of this division. To include work place safety, training and environmental compliance. Motion was made and seconded to recommend Amendment to the City Council, motion passed unanimously. 5. Assessor’s Update The Assessor provided the summary of the recently completed FY 18 tax commitment. He also reviewed assessing trends over the last five years highlighting changes in; taxable values, exempt values, homestead exemptions, BETE program, veterans exemptions, new homes and construction totals. The Assessor also discussed the distribution of the top taxpayers, the TIF values, state valuation and residential market trends. Meeting Adjourned at 7:08 pm