The borough manager’s draft budget was brought to life Tuesday when 11 department heads pitched assembly members on operations and goals.
“Budgets really are a numerical way to talk about what people do, and I thought this was an important thing for all of us,” borough manager Debra Schnabel said afterward. “It’s important for assembly members to appreciate the fact that we have a talented staff and I wanted you to know the hopes and dreams in what they do.”
Earlier this month, Schnabel released a 2020 draft budget that proposed nearly $18.7 million in spending which included an increase in property tax.
The session was the first of three committee of the whole meetings scheduled to review the proposed budget.
In the draft budget, no departments were cut entirely, and only public facilities, administration, the Haines Borough Assembly and the economic development sectors saw a decrease in funding.
At the committee of the whole meeting, some department heads utilized their five minutes of allocated speaking time to explain their job to the assembly, while others spoke about budget changes in their department.
Dean Olsen, Haines Borough assessor, explained why the borough levies a property tax, the components of property assessment, and the difference between mass appraisal versus fee appraisal.
“We assess property because we chose to levy a property tax to generate revenue,” Olsen said.
Community Youth Development director Ben Bard told assembly members he’d like to partner with the youth wrestling program and potentially start a cross country team in the coming year.
Chief financial officer Jila Stuart spoke about a $9,959 salary increase in her department from last year, attributed to paying leave time owed to a retiring employee.
“That bump is a one-year thing and you should see it go back down next year,” Stuart said.
Borough planner Holly Smith briefed assembly members on changes to her department in the past year: hiring a planning and zoning technician who has worked to create a mapping system for the water and sewer department.
“It was super helpful,” assembly member Heather Lende said after the presentations. “I wish I had a presentation like this my first year on the assembly. It’s my third year, and I’m still learning.”
The next committee of the whole budget meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 23 at 6:30 p.m. in assembly chambers. Schnabel told the assembly to prepare questions.
Topics next meeting will include public works, animal control and police.