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PERSONNEL AND FINANCE SEPTEMBER 19, 2012 <br /> BUDGET REVIEW 4:00 P.M. <br /> Committee Members Present: Karen White, Dr. David Varner, Gavin Ferlic (4:35 p.m.), <br /> Henry Davis (4:55 p.m.) <br /> Citizen Members Present: Tammy McNally, Julaine James <br /> Other Council Present: Val Schey <br /> Others Present: Kathy Cekanski-Farrand, Mark Neal, John Murphy,Rahman Johnson, <br /> Mayor Pete, Kathryn Roos, Pete Mullen <br /> Agenda: City Clerk Budget <br /> Pete Mullen, County Auditor <br /> Karen White, Personnel and Finance Committee Chair,intended to open this hearing by <br /> introducing St. Joseph County Auditor Pete Mullen to give an account of the projected <br /> tax distributions from the State of Indiana. Because the Auditor was funning late, Karen <br /> called upon City Clerk John Voorde to resent his budget. <br /> Voorde explained the Clerk's budget followed the prescribed guideline allowing for a 2% <br /> increase in salaries and a reordering of expense accounts to reflect actual spending <br /> patterns. After a few clarifying answers to Council questions the budget proposals were <br /> approved. <br /> St. Joseph County Auditor Pete Mullen now present was called upon for his report. Pete <br /> said the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance said to expect a flat-line <br /> revenue distribution of taxes. One of the areas of concern is the 30%drop in 911 fees <br /> from land lines or a decrease in distribution of about $20 million. Further impacting <br /> costs is the required reduction of dispatch centers in the county from the current five to <br /> two by 2014. Two other negative projections are the reduction of Motor Vehicle <br /> Highway funds available and declining proceeds from the "Major Moves" funds created <br /> by the long-term lease of the toll road. Mullen's closing missive was to proceed <br /> cautiously and conservatively. <br /> The City Council's budget was presented by Council President Derek Dieter. In his <br /> presentation Derek focused on three highlights. The first being a 2% salary increase. <br /> The second, a continuing move toward a paperless office by the purchase of i-pads for <br /> Councilmember's. The third being a renewed effort for verbatim minutes of Council <br /> Committee Meetings. <br /> Mayor Pete Buttigieg with the assistance of Mark Neal, City Controller, and a handout(a <br /> copy of which is on file in the Office of the City Clerk)presented the administrations <br />