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HomeMy Public PortalAbout20050822minutesCITY OF JEFFERSON Finance Committee Meeting MONDAY, AUGUST 22, 2005 MINUTES OFFICIALS STAFF Mayor John Landwehr Rich Mays, City Administrator Councilman Kevin Brown Steve Schlueter, Director of Finance Councilman Jonathan Schnitzler Phyllis Gilpin, Chief Accountant Councilman Dean Martin Pat Sullivan, Director of Community Development Councilman Edith Vogel Roger Schroeder, Police Chief Councilman Mike Harvey Mike Smith, Police Captain Councilman Brian Crane Bob Cynova, Police Captain Councilman Bryan Pope Dennis Bax, Police Dept. Fiscal Affairs Officer Councilman Kenneth Ferguson Bob Rennick, Fire Chief Councilman Michael Berry Bill Lockwood, Director of Parks & Recreation Nathan Nickolaus, City Counselor Gail Strope, Director of Human Resources The meeting was called to order by Finance Committee Chairman Kevin Brown at 6:03 P.M. The first order of business was the minutes of the Finance Committee meeting held on June 13, 2005. A motion to approve was made by Councilman Martin and seconded by Councilman Harvey. The motion was passed 8 to 0. Chairman Brown started by identifying the Travel Recommendation that exists in all three sub-committee agendas and Mr. Mays reviewed the Travel spreadsheet. Chairman Brown then discussed some financial analysis that he prepared independent of the Finance Department spreadsheet. Discussion ensued amongst the Council members regarding their thoughts about travel in general. Councilman Martin made a motion to identify a dollar amount for travel but later withdrew his motion. Councilmen Berry and Harvey each made a motion to identify a dollar amount for the Travel budget and they each withdrew their motion. After additional discussion Councilman Berry made a motion to fix the travel amount at $167,000 to be distributed by department at the discretion of the City Administrator. This motion was seconded by Councilman Vogel and was approved 8 to 1. This decision necessitated an additional $16,135 in expenses being added to the General Fund Budget. In the case of travel for the Parks Department, the Committee instructed Rich Mays to get with Bill Lockwood to determine the appropriate amount of travel to be added to their budget. The Council rejected the suggestion that the Law Department and City Clerk share a part-time clerk so funding for this position was left unfunded. The Committee turned their attention to a discussion of the proposed Property Tax Levy. It was noted that this Tax Rate Levy needed to be approved prior to September 1 so that the Levy could be certified to both Cole and Callawayst County by that date which is mandated by Statute. After a lengthy discussion it was determined that that decision will be made at the nex t Finance Committee meeting. The Public Safety Budget Sub-Committee was next to present their recommendations. The first item presented was the proposal of adding three new Police Officers. After some discussion concerning how they would be utilized a motion was made by Councilman Harvey, seconded by Councilman Pope, to add three new officers. The vote to approve was 9 to 0 and staff was instructed to add $128,941 to the budget. The next item concerned the 9-1-1 operation. Mr. Mays reported that he has been in discussions with Cole County and they have agreed to fund 25% of the cost to add the 2 new dispatchers. The cost for 2 new dispatchers is already in the budget so staff was instructed to add $19,324 in revenue to the budget to reflect the County’s decision. The final budget sub-committee to report was Community Development. Pat Sullivan presented a short overview of the Regional Planning Commission and the need to keep the dues in the budget to stay a member in the Commission. It was unanimously approved that the cost of the dues remain a part of the proposed budget. Mr. Mays then referred to an e-mail that Ron Craft, Airport Division Director, had received from the FTA indicating that the Federal Government would probably pick up 90% of the cost of installing the shades in the Airport Tower. Staff was instructed to add revenue from the Federal Grant which in turn will reduce the Airport Subsidy by $6,480. Discussion then turned to the fees at the Airport, particularly take-off and landing fees. The Airport does not currently charge this fee and Mr. Sullivan reviewed some of the airports who do charge this fee. It was decided no further action be taken regarding these fees. Chairman Brown called everyone’s attention back to the Property Tax Rate Levy and when a decision should be made. It was suggested that a Finance Committee meeting be scheduled for Monday, August 29, 2005 to make a final decision on the Tax Rate. It was also suggested that a City Council meeting be scheduled immediately after the Fi n an c e C o m m i t t e e meeting to for m a l l y v o t e to a p p rove t h e Le v y. It was therefore determined that final discussion on the proposed Property Tax Rate Levy be held during the Finance Committee meeting on August 29 and that once the levy is agreed on the Council will convene the City Councilth meeting where the final vote will be taken to formally approve the 2005 City of Jefferson Property Tax Rate. There being no further business Councilman Martin made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Harvey, and adjournment took place at 7:55 P.M.