BOARD FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES

NOVEMBER 13, 2006

 

 

Members of the Board Finance Committee met on Monday, November 13, 2006, at 6:00 p.m. in the Dining Room at the Education Center. Present were School Board Members Dr. Craig Haytmanek, Diane Rowe, Loretta Leeson, William Heske, Rosario Amato, Margaret Williams, and Charlene Koch. Also present were Dr. Joseph A. Lewis, superintendent of schools; Stanley J. Majewski, Jr.; assistant to the superintendent for finance; and administration, and members of the press.

 

COURTESY OF THE FLOOR – None.

 

TAX STUDY COMMISSION UPDATE – Mr. Majewski gave the committee an update of the activities of the Tax Study Commission. He informed the committee that the commission has held two meetings. The commission will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, November 15, 2006, at 6:00 p.m. in the Dining Room at the Education Center to acquire public input on whether or not there should be a tax shift from real estate tax to earned income/personal tax. If necessary, there will be another meeting on December 6, 2006. The commission will make its recommendation to the Board of School Directors at the December 11, 2006, Regular Board Meeting. The board will then consider the recommendation and decide on the type of tax to be enacted. In the May General Primary Election, a referendum will appear on the ballot, and the voters will determine if there is to be a tax shift and the amount.

 

REPOSITORY SALE – Mr. Majewski informed the committee that Northampton County has informed him that they have received a bid on three parcels of property that have been in the County Repository for approximately 40 years. The properties are small parcels of land that previously went unsold. If the board agrees to accept the offer, these properties will be returned to the tax rolls. The committee agreed to place this item on the regular monthly board agenda for November.

 

PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION UPDATE – Mr. Majewski advised the committee that the claim filed with the PUC against UGI is progressing. Bethlehem is one of seventeen school districts involved in this claim. Mr. Majewski has been in contact with the Lancaster Lebanon Intermediate Unit that has put together a Request for Proposal for a law firm to represent the districts involved in this claim. A consortium is being formed, and the districts have agreed to share in the legal fees. The share would be a proportionate fee based on the district’s interruptible gas usage. The initial fee will be $4,000. The law firm of Block and Wolf, experts in regulatory litigation, from Harrisburg is being recommended to represent the school districts in this litigation.

 

 

 

 

BOARD FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES

NOVEMBER 13, 2006

PAGE 2

 

 

Mrs. Leeson asked for a review of the claim. Mr. Majewski explained that the fee for use of UGI’s gas lines has risen from $.75 to $3.75 over the past five years. UGI determines the rate, and the districts have no option. The claim is asking the PUC for protection from UGI and hoping to gain a reduction in line usage fees. Mr. Majewski was instructed to contact Lancaster Lebanon Intermediate Unit and inform them that Bethlehem will participate in the consortium.

 

OPEN FORUM - Mrs. Leeson stated that she wanted to publicly thank Mr. Michael Schweder for donating $1,000 to Donegan Elementary School to replace stolen PTA funds. Dr. Lewis stated that Mr. Schweder would be recognized at the November 20, 2006, Regular Board Meeting.

 

Mrs. Leeson asked if the workshop on board protocol would be before the November 20, 2006, Board Meeting and expressed concern that there would not be sufficient time before the meeting for a proper information session. Dr. Lewis stated if there was insufficient time to complete their discussion a second meeting would be scheduled.

 

The meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.

 

Minutes prepared by:

Confidential Secretary to the Assistant to the Superintendent for Finance and Administration