Towns of Clifton and Fine Efficiency/Consolidation Study · Special Districts - Fire and Rescue...
Transcript of Towns of Clifton and Fine Efficiency/Consolidation Study · Special Districts - Fire and Rescue...
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Public Informational Meeting #1 Existing Conditions Report
January 6, 2016 6:00 pm Clifton Fine School Auditorium
Towns of Clifton and Fine
Efficiency/Consolidation Study
Visit the website: www.danc.org/operations/engineering/clifton-fine-efficiencyconsolidation-study
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Study Committee
• Chuck Hooven, Town of Clifton Supervisor • Susan Westbrook, Town of Fine Supervisor • Jerry Cooper • Sherm Craig • Joe DeMart • Brian Donovan • Roger Folsom • Mark Hall • Cory Perrault • Bill Reil • Kelly Smith II • Chris Westbrook Consultant: • Development Authority of the North Country
– Carrie Tuttle, Director of Engineering – Star Carter, GIS Analyst
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Study Committee meetings are open to the public. You are encouraged to attend or follow along with the website, where all presentations, meeting minutes, and supporting documents are posted.
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Topics to Be Covered
• Funding for Study
• Efficiency/Consolidation Study Process
• Draft Existing Conditions Report
• Next Steps/Schedule
• Department of State Overview of Process
• Questions
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Efficiency/Consolidation Study Funding
• The Town Boards applied for a $25,000 Citizen Reorganization Empowerment Grant • The NYS Department of State awarded the grant to the Towns in November 2014 • The grant will cover 50% of the cost of the $50,000 Efficiency/Consolidation Study and
the remaining cost of the study will be split evenly between each Town (i.e., $12,500 paid by each Town). • NOTE: If the Towns proceed with consolidation NYS Department of State will
reimburse all but 10% of the cost of the study. This study is being funded by and prepared in accordance with the New York State Department of State Work Plan requirements, as outlined in Contract No. T00001GG-3800000.
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Efficiency/Consolidation Study Process
Phase 1: Existing Conditions • What services do the Towns provide to residents? • How are Town services provided? • Town financial, employee, and asset review • Town taxes review Phase 2: Evaluation of Alternatives • How can Town services be provided differently to increase efficiency? • Study Committee will look at many options to alternative service delivery, up to and
including Town consolidation Phase 3: Recommendations and Final Report • Study Committee will submit final report to the Clifton and Fine Town Boards • Town Boards will vote to accept Recommendations and Final Report
Phase 4: Public Hearing and Referendum • If recommendation is to consolidate the two Towns, the Town registered voters will
vote • Must be a majority vote in favor of consolidation in BOTH Towns to pass
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Efficiency/Consolidation Study DRAFT Existing Conditions Report
The following is a summary of the DRAFT Existing Conditions Report that the Study Committee has
researched and assembled over the past year.
The full report and all supporting documentation can be referenced on the study website:
www.danc.org/operations/engineering/clifton-fine-efficiencyconsolidation-study
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Clifton and Fine, NY
Town History
• The Town of Clifton was established in April 1868 ; Town of Fine was established in March 1849 • Town histories are linked to logging, mining, and paper processing
Industry • Logging was a major local industry in the early 1900s, centered around Cranberry and Star Lake areas;
The last large logging mill closed in 1927 • Mining in the Town of Clifton began in 1867, at an iron ore mine called the Clifton Mine • Mining at the Jones & Laughlin (J&L) site began in 1889 as a magnetite and martite mine • The Benson Mine was once the largest strip mine in the World • The Jones & Laughlin (J&L) iron ore processing facility ceased operations in 1977
• At its peak it employed upwards of 1,200 people and paid $2M per year in taxes • State, federal & local agencies have been working for the last ~30 years to characterize, assess and
remediate the J&L site • Newton Falls mill opened in 1895 as a saw mill, that later became a paper mill and closed permanently
and assets sold in 2013 • 26% of the APA Industrial Use classified lands are located in Clifton, including the J&L site, Benson
Mines and Newton Falls Fine Paper Mill • Combined job losses are estimated at over 2,000 in the last 39 years
Today the largest employment category in Clifton-Fine is education, health care, and social assistance
Loss of industry and jobs has resulted in a decline in population and real property tax base
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Source: US Census Bureau
Census Population Data
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Clifton and Fine Town Populations, 1950-2010
Clifton Fine Total
1950 1,382 1,875 3,257
1960 1,306 2,391 3,697
1970 1,022 2,248 3,270
1980 1,005 2,243 3,248
1990 917 1,813 2,730
2000 791 1,622 2,413
2010 751 1,512 2,263
2013 Population Estimate: Town of Clifton = 745 Town of Fine = 1,479
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Source: US Census Bureau
Population Trends Since 1950
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St. Lawrence County Towns by Population (2010 Census data):
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Town Population
Clare 105
Piercefield 310
Clifton 751
Pitcairn 846
Rossie 877
Macomb 906
DePeyster 998
Hopkinton 1,077
Hermon 1,108
Edwards 1,156
Hammond 1,191
Colton 1,451
Fine 1,512
Madrid 1,735
Lawrence 1,826
Russell 1,856
Town Population
Morristown 1,974
Parishville 2,153
Fowler 2,202
Waddington 2,266
DeKalb 2,434
Brasher 2,512
Pierrepont 2,589
Louisville 3,145
Stockholm 3,665
Lisbon 4,102
Oswegatchie 4,397
Norfolk 4,668
Gouverneur 7,085
Canton 10,995
Massena 12,883
Potsdam 16,041
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St. Lawrence County Hamlets and other “Census Designated Places” by Population: (2010 Census Data unless otherwise noted)
Hamlets and Places Population
Wanakena (estimate based on sewer customers - no census data)
105
Cranberry Lake 200
Remainder of Clifton including Newton Falls
293
Colton 345
Winthrop 510
DeKalb Junction 519
Hailesboro 624
Parishville 647
Brasher Falls 669
Madrid 757
Star Lake (Town of Clifton 258, Fine 551) 809
Remainder of Fine including Oswegatchie & Fine 856
Hannawa Falls 1,042
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School Districts The consolidation study will have no impact on either school or County taxes, since these are separate from the Town taxes.
The data below is for reference purposes only.
Source: NYS Education Department; https://reportcards.nysed.gov/schools.php?district=800000038857&year=2006
The Clifton-Fine School District has lost 75% of its students
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Special Districts - Water and Sewer The results of this study will not affect Water and Sewer Special District boundaries or charges. Residents who are currently within a Water or Sewer District will continue to pay for and receive these services. The debt and fund balances for each district will also remain part of the district, regardless of what the Towns decide in respect to consolidation. Water and sewer operations were evaluated to identify potential opportunities to improve efficiencies and delivery of services.
Town of Fine Water & Sewer Districts Town of Clifton Water & Sewer Districts
Star Lake Water District Newton Falls Water District
Wanakena Sewer District
Star Lake Water District (formerly Woodhaven Water District)
Newton Falls Sewer District
Note: Wanakena Water is supplied by a private water company and not under the jurisdiction of the town; as such this Study does not include the operation/delivery of
services for this district.
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Special Districts - Fire and Rescue This study will not directly affect the Fire and Rescue Special Districts, but the complexity of the current situation within the Towns suggests that there may be options for making fire and rescue service more efficient. There are 8 different Fire/Rescue Districts, 4 in each Town.
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$-
$100,000
$200,000
$300,000
$400,000
$500,000
$600,000
2012 2013 2014 2015
Fine: Star Lake Ambulance
Fine: Fine Fire District
Fine: Star Lake FD
Fine: Star Lake FireProtection District
Clifton: Star Lake FPD
Clifton: West CliftonAmbulance
Clifton: Newton Falls
Clifton: Cranberry Lake
Clifton-Fine Fire & Rescue Annual Tax Levies
Total Clifton: $254,345 Total Fine: $261,164
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2015 Real Property Information
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Taxable Assessed Value (TAV) % of Total
Clifton $188,177,623 60%
Fine $126,000,937 40%
Total $314,178,560 100%
60% 40%
Total Taxable Assessed Value
Clifton Fine
Source: 2015 Tax Rolls St. Lawrence County Real Property: http://www.co.st-lawrence.ny.us/departments/realproperty/
Clifton’s TAV is higher due to: • More seasonal property with higher value
$44M TAV versus $16M $146,050 median value versus $56,300
• More taxable State land $76M TAV versus $24M
• Fine has several large tax-exempt properties Ranger School Clifton-Fine Central School Hospital
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Breakdown of Town Revenues 2014 Actuals
Clifton Fine Total
General Fund $567,403 $529,190 $1,096,593
Highway $721,564 $874,196 $1,595,760
Total $1,288,967 $1,403,386 $2,692,353
52% 48%
General
Clifton Fine
45% 55%
Highway
Clifton Fine
Source: 2014 AUDs Town of Clifton and Town of Fine
Note: • Fine has 2 times the road miles to maintain and receives more CHIPS funds to cover expenses
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Clifton Revenues - General Fund 2014 Actual Total: $567,403
Real Property
Taxes 86%
Departmental Income
1%
Intergovernment Charges
<1%
Total Use of Money and Property
1%
Total Licenses and Permits
<1%
Total Fines and Forfeitures
3%
Sale of Property and Compensation
for Loss 5%
Miscellaneous Local Sources
<1%
State Aid 4%
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Fine Revenues - General Fund 2014 Actual Total: $529,190
Real Property
Taxes 84%
Departmental Income
1%
Intergovernment Charges
<1%
Total Use of Money and Property
1%
Total Licenses and Permits
<1%
Total Fines and Forfeitures
3%
Sale of Property and Compensation
for Loss <1%
Miscellaneous Local Sources
<1%
State Aid 11%
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Town Revenues - Highway 2014 Actual
81%
8%
7%
3%
0% 0% 0%
1%
Clifton Highway: $721,564
Real Property Tax
State Aid- CHIPS
Snow Removal
Interfund Transfer
Interest &EarningsSales of Scrap
InsuranceRecoverySales ofEquipment
75%
2% 0%
1% 0%
2%
20%
Fine Highway: $874,196
Real PropertyTax
Snow Removal
Interest &Earnings
Sales of Scrap
InsuranceRecovery
InterfundTransfer
State Aid- CHIPS
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Breakdown of Total Expenditures 2014 Actuals
48% 52%
General
Clifton Fine
Clifton Fine Total
General Fund $518,182 $570,835 $1,089,017
Highway $622,708 $1,008,696 $1,631,404
Total $1,140,890 $1,579,534 $2,720,421
38% 62%
Highway
Clifton Fine
Source: 2014 AUDs Town of Clifton and Town of Fine
Note: • Fine purchased new equipment in 2014, increasing their expenditures
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Clifton Expenditures - General Fund 2014 Actual Total: $518,182
General Government Support
36%
Public Safety 1%
Health 3%
Transportation 20%
Economic Assistance and Opportunity
<1%
Culture and Recreation
10%
Home and Community Services
2%
Employee Benefits 15%
Debt Service <1%
Interfund Transfer <1%
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Fine Expenditures - General Fund 2014 Actual Total: $570,835
General Government Support
42%
Public Safety 4%
Health 8%
Transportation 5%
Economic Assistance and Opportunity
6%
Culture and Recreation
1%
Home and Community Services
9%
Employee Benefits 10%
Debt Service 11%
Interfund Transfer 4%
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Total Expenditures - Highway 2014 Actual
21%
0%
7%
37%
28%
7%
Clifton Highway Expenditures: $622,708 Maintenance of
Roads andBridgesPermanentImprovements
Machinery
Snow Removal
Benefits
Debt
15%
23%
21%
24%
16%
1%
Fine Highway Expenditures: $1,008,696
Maintenance ofRoads andBridgesPermanentImprovements
Machinery
Snow Removal
Benefits
Services to otherGovernments
Note: • Fine has 2x the road miles to maintain and receives more CHIPS funds to cover expenses • Fine purchased new equipment in 2014, increasing their expenditures
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Actual Fund Balances as of December 31, 2014
Clifton Fine
General Fund $46,062 (96%) $112,596 (57%)
Highway $2,053 (4%) $85,440 (43%)
Total $48,115 (100%) $198,036 (100%)
Unexpended Fund Balances can be credited back to respective Town taxpayers in the year before consolidation
takes effect or used to pay down existing debt.
Source: 2014 AUDs Town of Clifton and Town of Fine
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Projected Debt Levels as of 12/31/15 Clifton Fine
General Fund $0 $180,000 3
Highway $305,562 1 $0
Water $0 $0
Sewer $710,000 2 $182,300 4
Total $1,015,562 $362,300
1 Clifton’s existing Highway debt will be paid off in 2020. 2 Newton Falls Sewer debt will be paid off in ~30 years. 3 Fine’s existing debt for the Highway Barn will be paid off in 2018. 4 Sewer debt will be paid of ~29 years.
Source: Debt Schedule Documents from Town of Clifton and Town of Fine
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2015 Total Tax Levy
Tax Levy % of Total
Town of Clifton $1,220,423 52%
Town of Fine $1,134,895 48%
Total $2,213,409 100%
52% 48%
Total Combined Tax Levy
Clifton Fine
Source: 2015 Budgets Town of Clifton and Town of Fine
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2015 Tax Rates Per $1,000 of Assessed Value
2015 Property Tax Item* Clifton Fine
Town $2.737616 $3.822054
Highway $3.747937 $5.188969
Total $6.49 $9.01
* County and School taxes are not affected by consolidation or efficiencies, and therefore are not included as part of this study. Taxes on special districts, including water, sewer, and fire protection, are not included in this presentation because they are applied only to properties within each special district (at different rates) and are not Town-wide. This table shows the Tax Items that are applied to all properties Town-wide and at the same rate.
Source: 2015 Tax Rates St. Lawrence County Real Property: http://www.co.st-lawrence.ny.us/departments/realproperty/
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Services Provided by the Towns • Highway Department
– Maintains roads, bridges, culverts, sidewalks, mowing, snow removal, gravel pits, cemeteries, etc.
– Fine has more than 2x the miles of roads to maintain
– Each Town has 1 Highway Superintendent and 6 full time highway employees
– Transportation costs per road mile: • Clifton: $19,901
• Fine: $13,568
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Services Provided by the Towns
• Fire Protection and Rescue
• Water, Sewer, and Street Lighting
• General
– Clerk, Tax Collection, Real Property Assessment, Code Enforcement, Town Justice, Dog Control, Insect Control, Buildings, Safety Officer, etc.
• Recreation and Library
– Arena, Golf Course, Beach, Youth Program
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Current Shared Services
The Towns have a history of shared services. Intermunicipal agreements (IMA) exist to share the
costs, maintenance, and operations for the:
• Clifton Fine Golf Course
• Clifton Fine Arena
• Joint Youth Program
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Elected Officials & Employee Staffing
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8 Elected Officials in Each Town 1 Supervisor 4 Board Members 1 Clerk 1 Highway Superintendent 1 Justice
Staffing Totals
Clifton: 9 Full-time 30 Part-time and/or seasonal
Fine: 10 Full-time 44 Part-time and/or seasonal
Town Expenses for Salaries and Benefits
Town Costs per Employee (Total Salaries & Benefits / Total # of Employees)
Clifton: $18,291 Fine: $15,831
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SOME Potential Cost Savings from Consolidation
• Citizens Empowerment Tax Credit • Insurance Costs
– Employee health insurance/benefits – Property insurance
• Municipal association dues • Software license fees • Board member salaries • Consolidation of contracted services (i.e., dog
control) • Other Efficiencies…TBD (Part 2 of Study)
35 Source: 2015 Tax Rolls St. Lawrence County Real Property, 2015 Town Budgets
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Clifton-Fine Consolidation Estimated Tax Credit
Total Tax Levy 2015 $2,355,318
Estimated Citizens Empowerment Tax Credit (15% of total levy in year prior to consolidation)
($353,298)
IMPORTANT NOTES
Tax Credit is paid by NYS in perpetuity in the form of additional state aid.
70% of the tax credit must be applied to tax reductions.
These preliminary figures are based on current assessed values (2015). The actual combined tax rate and tax credit will based on the assessed values at
the time of consolidation. These projected figures may change.
Source: 2015 Tax Rolls St. Lawrence County Real Property, 2015 Town Budgets
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Next Steps
• Evaluation of Alternatives (Part 2 of Study)
• Existing Conditions: We now understand how services are delivered and how much they cost
• Now we consider if there are more efficient ways to deliver services
• Are there opportunities for additional shared services to save tax payers dollars?
• How would consolidation impact tax rates in both towns?
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Efficiency/Consolidation Study Schedule
Study Phase/Activity Date
Existing Conditions January 2015 - December 2015
Public Informational Meeting #1 Existing Conditions Report
January 6, 2016
Evaluation of Alternatives February 2016 - June 2016
Public Informational Meeting #2 Alternatives Report
July 2016
Recommendations and Final Report August 2016
Public Informational Meeting #3 Public Hearing
September 2016
Potential Referendum November 2016
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New York State Department of State
Rob Roeckle
Land Use Training Specialist
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Board-Initiated Consolidation Proposed Consolidation Plan Adopted
Hearing Held
Proposed Plan Amended
Process Ends
Final Plan Approved
Referendum Date Set
Special District
Dissolved
Referendum Held
Referendum Passes
Towns Consolidate
Referendum Fails
Four Year Waiting Period
Day 1
Within 180 Days
Within 35 to 90 Days
Within 5 Days
Within 60 to 90 Days
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Questions?
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www.danc.org/operations/engineering/clifton-fine-efficiencyconsolidation-study
Thank you for attending the 1st Public Informational Meeting
Please visit the Study Website at:
Chuck Hooven Town of Clifton, Spvs [email protected] 315-848-2821 Susan Westbrook Town of Fine, Spvs. [email protected] 315-848-3121 ext. 305
Carrie Tuttle Development Authority of the North Country [email protected] 315-661-3259