09-03-02 Personnel & Finance - Laserfiche WebLink

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Contain-it* report Vitrzotunei a1ti finance Commit The September 3,2002 meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee was called to order by its Vice-Chairperson, Council Member David Varner at 3:32 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Varner, Kirsits, Coleman and Kelly;City Controller Rick 011ett, Director of Budgeting & Financial Reporting Tom Skarbek, Fiscal Officer Rahman Johnson, City Engineer Carl Littrell, Central Services Director Matt Chlebowski,Division of Environmental Services John J. Dillon, Director of the Bureau of Sewers and the Bureau of Streets Sam Hensley, Director of Water Works John Stancati, Fiscal Officer Jill Stevens, Fiscal Officer Roxanne Hayden, Fiscal Officer Jennifer Niezgodski, Fiscal Officer Joe Kuzmits and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member Varner welcomed everyone to the 3rd Committee meeting on the proposed 2003 Civil City Budget. He noted that a quorum of the Committee was not present, however the Council Members present would go forward in receiving information and hearing presentations on the proposed budgets. Mr. Gary Gilot provided an overview to the 2003 Public Works budget requests(summary of remarks attached). Mr. Gilot stated that the overall public works budget is approximately $45.5 millon; with $7.2 millon or 15.8% being supported by property tax and $38.3 million or 84.2% being supported by such user fees as the gas tax and water & sewer rates. He noted that Motor Vehicle Highway (MVH), Local Road and Streets (LRS) and the Sewage Works will not be balanced. There has been a $2 millon reduction in state funds, noting that the amount of LRS funds not be sufficient to preserve the pavements at a "sustainable return interval for paving". Funding is also lost since the city is unable to make the 20% match on the 80% amount received from the federal government. He noted that the hydrant rental funds will help"shore up"the funds in the short term. Mr. Gilot stated that there has not been a sewage rate increase since 1989, and without a rate increase it will operate in the red in 2003. More wastewater is treated today than in 1989 and over $6 million has been invested in capital. At the request of the State Board of Accounts, a Street Department Division has been created as part of the General Fund. It will segregate the Traffic & Lighting expenses from the Engineering Division of the General Fund; and will account for the Street Department fuel usage and repairs to equipment. Mr. Gilot concluded his remarks by noting that public works provides a diverse array of"quality products and services" from safe drinking water, protecting the St. Joseph River quality, to infrastructure design and construction projects such as the expansion of Crowe Chizek,Tire Rack, TJX and Tech Data. Mr. Gilot noted that his department has begun a strategic review of openings as people leave employment. There have been 24 employee positions eliminated, all by attrition. One of his primary goals is to be more effective and efficient in providing services. In response to a question from Dr. Varner, Mr. Gilot indicated that each of the Bureau Managers would indicate the number of employee position eliminated during their presentations.