Oakland passes first round of $8.4M budget

OAKLAND — Elected officials passed the first reading of Oakland’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2014-15 at the Sept. 10 Town Commission meeting.

The final hearing is Sept. 23, and, if nothing changes between now and then, the town will operate with a budget of $8,412,765 and maintain its millage rate of 6.75 mills for a fifth year in a row.

Town Manager Dennis Foltz and Finance Director Becky Rotroff shared some of the new features in this budget:

• a major emphasis on upgrading its information technology “so staff may work smarter, more efficiently with less dependence on physical location and keeping the town’s databases secure.”

• continued implementation of improved contact with citizens through coordinated and user-friendly websites of the town, Oakland Avenue Charter School and Oakland Nature Preserve.

• a switch to Blue Cross Blue Shield with an HMO option as the base plan, which offer a smaller premium increase than the current provider, United Health Care.

• a proposed merit pay raise of up to 3% for both town and school employees.

Among the significant items in the General Fund revenues, officials said, are an increase of $75,413 by maintaining the ad valorem levy of 6.75 mills; an increase in the local-option gas tax, state revenue sharing and sales tax revenue; inclusion of $26,176 from public safety impact fees for the conclusion of dispatch start-up.

Expenditures include creating a new Planning Department ($134,924); allocating $70,000 for reconstruction of the Little White House, in conjunction with West Orange Habitat For Humanity; an increase from $547,901 to $604,193 in compensation for a fully staffed police department and addition of a full-time investigator position; a contribution of $20,000 to the contract of ONP Managing Director Barbara Gugliotti; and an increase of $21,146 in fire/emergency contractual services.

The Water Utility Fund, which is dependent primarily on rates from users for its revenue, will see an increase of $58,150 because of the second stage of rate increases that will be effective Oct. 1.

Expenditures in the Wastewater Utility Fund include approximately $600,000 to construct the first phase of the wastewater system to be completed next year.

Oakland’s budget includes the General Fund, Facilities Fund, Utility Fund and Oakland Avenue Charter School.

Contact Amy Quesinberry Rhode at [email protected].