RED BANK — A proposal for a taxpayer summit that would serve as a forum for an exchange of ideas from borough taxpayers on cost-saving measures was rejected by the Borough Council during the Jan. 11 meeting.

Kim Senkeleski, a Republican who ran unsuccessfully for a seat on the all-Democratic council, proposed the summit, telling Councilman Michael DuPont, who heads the Finance Committee, which crafts the budget, that there is a benefit to being proactive, not reactive.

“I realize taxpayers already have opportunities to voice their concerns or ideas after the budget draft is presented and at council meetings. However, the intent of a taxpayer summit would be to allow your constituents a dedicated forum for suggesting cost-saving ideas to the Finance Committee before the 2010 draft budget is created,” Senkeleski wrote in a letter to Mayor Pasquale Menna and DuPont on Jan. 5.

Senkeleski initially suggested the forum to the council Dec. 22.

At the council meeting, Senkeleski told borough officials that she’s been attending meetings for the past three years. She said she would serve as the public’s liaison to borough government.

“I see no harm in creating a forum. I would funnel the calls and thoughts and present you with 10-20 constructive ideas. The entire point is that it’s proactive,” Senkeleski explained.

DuPont disagreed, stating that the current budget hearing

that the borough has had in place for the past two years is not reactive.

“You demean the budget process. It’s an insult to say it’s reactive,” DuPont countered. “The purpose of the budget hearing is that it’s interactive. It’s not final. The purpose is for people to ask questions.”

Additionally, DuPont explained that the Finance Committee will develop a ‘doomsday’ budget to put into effect should Gov. Chris Christie follow through on a pledge to cut municipal funding.

According to DuPont, the budget hearing is well advertised and the public is encouraged to attend.

“The meeting is an opportunity for the directors to explain their proposed budget and we do this process for a reason. What we have in place is probably the best format; that’s why it’s there,” he added.

Borough Administrator Stanley Sickels questioned the need for a separate forum, when all the department heads and government officials attend the hearing.“ If we bring employees in, then we have to pay them. If it’s done within the confines of the regular schedule, it’s a win-win,” Councilman Edward Zipprich added.

While DuPont continued to disagree with Senkeleski about the need for a summit, he agreed with Borough CFO Frank Mason, who said he welcomes all ideas.

“Bring ideas, comments and criticism so the directors can incorporate residents’ ideas. Some of the ideas may change the way we do things,” DuPont told Senkeleski.

Senkeleski said she would send in the ideas next month.

DuPont explained that it is important that the borough look for other sources of revenue besides taxes. He cited the borough’s involvement in shared services and the development of Monmouth Street as examples.

Last year, DuPont said shared-service agreements generated more than $2,000, and with plans in place with Shrewsbury and Middletown, this year’s revenue would be even higher.

“We planned for a difficult financial time in 2010. We asked the directors of each department to reduce their budgets by 15 percent,” DuPont said.

“We’re all in this together. The next two years will be very difficult,” Zipprich said.

Mayor Pasquale Menna said the borough has reduced the fees for attorneys, after Borough Attorney Ken Pringle, voluntarily cut his hourly fee by 20 percent.

M

enna said the Planning and Zoning

board attorneys have also cut their hourly rates by 20 percent and that no attorney working for the borough would be paid more than the borough attorney. Lawyers will now be paid hourly and will not be paid for canceled meetings, as they were in the past with their annual fee.