Loading...
HomeMy Public PortalAbout20040827budgetsubcommitteeminutesCITY OF JEFFERSON Administration & Parks Budget Sub-Committee FRIDAY, AUGUST 27, 2004 MINUTES OFFICIALS STAFF Councilman Bob Weber Rich Mays, City Administrator Councilman Ken Ferguson Steve Schlueter, Director of Finance Councilman Edith Vogel Gail Strope, Human Resources Director Councilman Michael Berry Phyllis Gilpin, Chief Accountant Councilman Kevin Brown Stephanie Adrian, Information Systems Manager Terry Stephenson, Purchasing Director Jeff Strubberg, Information Systems Coordinator Nathan Nickolaus, City Counselor Cindy Lambert, Melva Fast, The meeting was called to order at 9:02 A.M. by sub-committee Chairman Ken Ferguson. The administration part of the budget was continued from the prior meeting with a review of the Self-Insurance budget the first to be reviewed. The major discussion centered around the current claims experience for FY 2004 and what a bad year in terms of cost to the City this year is having. The next department reviewed was the Non-Departmental portion of Administration. Once again claims expense and the cost of insurance was reviewed at length. One of the items under this budget was a funding request for $25,000 to replace the sound system in the Council Chambers. After some additional discussion the sub-committee decided to recommend to the Finance Committee the following: 1.Reduce the funding for the Sound System replacement from $25,000 to $5,000. 2.Review the proposals and need for the Lobbyist that is currently funded in the budget for $15,000. 3.Review the cost to upgrade the grounds and landscape around City Hall. 4.Request that Mr. Mays write a memo to Mr. Lockwood regarding the grounds conditions around City Hall. The next department reviewed was the Finance Department. The Finance Director reviewed some of the budget line items and highlighted the #1 priority on the pink sheets, the I-Series Computer System request. Stephanie Adrian, the Information Systems Manager, discussed the potential associated with this new system and explained the upgrades that will accrue to the City operation. Mr. Schlueter asked the committee to consider adding additional funding to the Training & Education and Meeting & Conferences line items in light of the major impact of funding tuition reimbursement from these line items. The next department reviewed was the Mayor and City Council budget. The sub-committee agreed that an additional look needs to be taken at the funding set aside for Travel and Dues. The next department reviewed was the City Clerk’s budget. The only topic discussed was the election expense line item and the fact that more money may need to be allocated in light of the potential for several election date ballot items including the Use Tax issue being placed on the November, 2004 ballot. The next item was an attempt by Mr. Mays to pass over the Administration budget but all members saw through this move but all were amused at this blatant attempt. No recommendations pertaining to the Administration budget. The next department reviewed was the Law Department. The committee discussed the personnel needs of the department and Mr. Nickolaus’ proposed reconfiguration utilizing part-time staff and the plans to utilize the current secretary as a paralegal after additional training and classes. Mr. Nickolaus also expressed his desire to have the committee review the Training & Education and Meetings & Conferences line items due to the impact that paying tuition reimbursement from these line items have had. The next department reviewed was the Municipal Court. Some of the major items pointed out by Mr. Nickolaus were the increase in the volume of court cases, fines revenue and overall traffic of individuals going through the Municipal Court. Mr. Nickolaus also discussed the possibility of increasing the salary level for the Municipal Court Judge based on the aforementioned volume of activity. A suggestion was made to survey the salary level of other Municipal Court Judges and Mr. Nickolaus stated he and his staff would conduct such a survey and report back to the Finance Committee at it’s next meeting. The committee concluded it’s review of the Administration and Parks budgets and adjourned at 11:10 A.M.