20220622 City Council Finance and Property Committee Minutes Scott D. Houseman-Chair
Julie R. Flowers
Matthew J. St. Hilaire
FINANCE AND PROPERTY/ CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES
Wednesday, June 22, 2022, 6:30PM
City Council Chambers, 3rd Floor, Beverly City Hall, 191 Cabot St.
Houseman called the meeting to order at 6:30pm.
Members present: Julie Flowers, Matthew St. Hilaire, Scott Houseman
Other Councilors present: Estelle Rand, Brendan Sweeney
Order#156-Mayor's FY23 Budget-Department Budget Sessions
St. Hilaire stated his biggest concern is for everyday residents and taxpayers dealing with everything going on
in the world and whether or not it is appropriate to maximize the tax rate. St. Hilaire expressed his interest in
voting it out to the full Council for additional conversation.
City Council Budget Analyst Gerry Perry advised that it would be less likely this year that there is opportunity
to provide relief through adjusting the shift or tapping new growth. The only way to provide relief by adjusting
the shift would be if commercial values increased more than residential values, and that did not happen. The
administration identified a bigger new growth number this year, so there is a lower probability of that coming in
higher than anticipated like it did last year.
Houseman stated that if the Council is inclined to reduce the budget, the Council has no authority to determine
where that cut is reallocated.
The motion to approve the total general fund appropriations of$150,582,000.00 as presented by the Mayor was
made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion carried(3-0).
The motion to approve the Mayor's proposal for the enterprise funds and water and sewer rates was made and
seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion carried(3-0).
St. Hilaire motioned to amend the total general fund revenues by cutting $1,000,000.00. Flowers seconded for
discussion.
St Hilaire stated he does not feel this is appropriate at a time when taxpayers are dealing with everything going
on in the world.
Perry stated the Council has to have by law a balanced budget, and it would be incumbent on the committee to
find where that comes from if they are recommending a cut.
There was some discussion on the responsibilities of the committee versus the responsibilities of the full City
Council.
A vote was taken on the amendment, and the motion failed(1-2, St. Hilaire in favor and Flowers and Houseman
opposed).
The motion to approve the total general fund revenues of$150,582,000.00 as presented by the Mayor was made
and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion carried(2-1, St.Hilaire opposed).
The motion to adjourn was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion carried unanimously. The
meeting adjourned at 6:54pm.