Citizen comment not allowed in workshop

By Greg Ellison

(Feb. 10, 2022) Berlin Mayor Zack Tyndall and the Town Council will launch the months long FY2023 budget process during a work session on Monday at 5 p.m.

Topics covered during the Valentine’s Day session, the first of eight meetings slated through May, will include general fund capital projects and real estate tax projections.

Public comments are not allowed during work sessions, which are intended for the mayor and council to confer with department heads.

By contrast, on March 14, residents’ input will be welcomed during budget introduction and first reading of the FY23 proposed tax rate. The meeting starts at 7 p.m.

Two weeks later on March 28, Town of Berlin officials will hold a public hearing to review the proposed tax rate prior to adoption by council. The proposed constant yield rate will also be reviewed during the 7 p.m. meeting.

During April, a trio of budget work sessions is scheduled on the first three Mondays starting at 5 p.m.

On April 4 the agenda lists reviewing general fund details, including departmental breakdowns, as well as fire and EMS services.

Utilities funds will be the focus on April 11, with another session on April 18 discussing financial specifics for electric, water, wastewater and storm water.

Following the half-dozen meetings and related refinements, the first reading of the FY23 budget is scheduled for May 9 at 7 p.m.

Two weeks later, on May 23 a public hearing on the FY23 budget is slated for 7 p.m. prior to council adoption.

The annual budget process opens following a recent discussion of whether to bolster revenues for utility enterprise funds, including electric, water, sewer and stormwater funds during the council meeting on Jan. 24.

During the January council meeting, Leslie Michalik and Michael Kleger with PKS & Company presented the town’s FY21 budget audit.

Auditors reported the electric fund had an operating income of $501,310 for FY21 after losing $144,054 during FY20.

The other three enterprise funds operated at a loss for both FY21 and FY20.

Berlin’s water fund ended FY21 with an operational loss of  $156,853, preceded by $127,494 for FY20.

Sewer fund operational losses in FY21 were $181,088 and $140,924 during FY20.

Lastly, the town’s stormwater fund operated at a loss $101,512 in FY21 and also was in the red by $74,430 in FY20.