08-16-05 Personnel & Finance - Laserfiche WebLink

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Personnel and Finance Committee 2005 South Bend Common Council The August 16, 2005 meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Roland Kelly at 3:30 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Puzzello, Varner, Kuspa, Pfeifer, White, Kirsits and Kelly; Mayor Stephen Luecke, City Clerk John Voorde, Becky Neese, Building Commissioner Don Fozo, members of the Fire Negotiating Team, Fire Chief Luther Taylor, Assistant Fire Chief Rick Switalski, Code Enforcement Director Catherine Toppel, Gary Libbey, City Controller M. Catherine Fanello and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand,Council Attorney. Council Member Kelly called for a presentation on the proposed 2006 Fire Department budget. Fire Department (Fund# 101-0901) 2006 Revenues $ 2,491,740 2006 Expenditures $21,736,879 Fire Chief Luther Taylor noted that the Fire Department's proposed budget was prepared following the budget guidelines. In light of the ongoing fire negotiations, the salaries were plugged in at 2%, pending the outcome of those negotiations. There was a 0% increase in supplies and a 5% decrease in services. Station maintenance and repairs have pooled resources and should be an overall costs savings. Assistant Chief Rick Switalski then reviewed the summary sheet and the line-item detail. In light of the mandated increases for insurance and PERF contributions changing from 4.25% to 4.5%; the 100 accounts are showing a 4.9% increase. He noted that every new firefighter is at the 21% PERF level. 93% of the budget is personnel related. There are a total of 248 sworn firefighters and all but 14 are on 24-hour duty detail. He also noted that he projected utility costs for the new Central Fire Station will be adjusted, noting that there will be an increase of$10,000 for water service and gas& electric will also be adjusted. The 300 accounts will increase $105,000. Chief Switalski noted that the training account has been reduced by $14,550, and in light of this adjustment they hope to do more in-house training. A transfer of$1.3 million is anticipated to cover the pension costs. The contract with St. Joseph County is for $1,776,000 with $250,000 going to the general fund and the rest remaining in the dedicated fund. Chief Switalski noted that he had some preliminary discussions with Commissioner Bodle on this. Other miscellaneous revenues include $380,000 for neo-natal services for Memorial Hospital which have been in place since 1989; they bill Notre Dame and use off-duty firefighters for the Bengal Bouts,hockey,football&basketball games, etc. Chief Taylor noted that there is a per game charge in place and approximately$50,000 has been budgeted. There is also revenue generated from the 911 EMS contract. August 16,2005 Personnel and Finance Committee Meeing Minutes -page 1-