Special Bd. of Aldermen — 02/27/2017 Page 15
Mayor Donchess
So we really only had two entities that could do it and the gentleman who did work with Portsmouth we asked
him if he was available and his answer is no basically he’s not available. In talking with the DRA, another
benefit we tried to hold out to them was that we would convert to this vision to conform more with the rest of
the State and again do what you want but you have to have your appraisal done this year period.
Alderwoman Melizzi-Golja
This is to Alderman Dowd’s earlier comment about CERF. Mayor Donchess and Mr. Griffin just indicated the
monies has already been appropriated and that contract is coming to finance. So you're looking for a vote to
move forward with the $5 million out of the CERF funding. Do you have any ideas to when you might be able
to do something so people on finance understand what CERF is and what this means for the CERF budgets so
they have a sense of the bigger picture? Obviously it’s not going to happen. This is happening before budget
and explanation of CERF as requested by Alderman Dowd.
Mr. Griffin
The forecast for the number of items at the Finance Committee on the 21* is modest. What we could do is |
could basically take that opportunity at the Finance Committee as a workshop or some type of better
explanation for everybody so they know the beginning balance of CERF, the expectations going forward.
CERF is a multi-year plan that includes every vehicle in the city that the city purchases whether it’s grants or
other funds. We could explain that. What would happen in the budget is Mr. Fredette and | with the Mayor
would explain how much we recommend putting in the budget for CERF. Money goes in, it’s appropriated and
then used by the approved vehicles. That’s really how it’s been used.
Alderwoman Melizzi-Golja
| just think it’s important that this is not a typical request and you’ve indicated this has been done in the past.
I’m not questioning that | just think with so many new members it’s important for them to understand what it is
they're being asked to vote on and what these funds are so someone doesn’t come up to them and say why
did you support that and they don’t know. | think we owe it to the new members on the Finance Committee
and on this Board to understand what CERF is and what this means.
President McCarthy
When you say the money has been appropriate, this was not in the submission to CERF for the current fiscal
year, correct?
Mr. Griffin
That’s correct.
President McCarthy
As we’ve discussed, CERF is basically funded pay as you go at the moment and not as an actual reserve fund.
What was in the budget that we’re not getting that was $500,000 that went into CERF?
Mr. Griffin
Very good question and it would be part of the presentation. If you may recall two years ago, we had excess of
appropriations not spent and we brought subject to check about $717,000 of funds into CERF to boost that
value. Alderman McCarthy is asking were there any vehicles attached to that money and no there hasn’t been.
