09-11-03 Personnel & Finance - Laserfiche WebLink

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Personnel and Finance Committee September 11, 2003 Page 3 Brucker stated that she is always looking for qualified candidates, but as of now she has no inspectors who are Latino. Dr. Varner questioned whether they were budgeting the net or gross on their revenue projections, noting that collections have an expense. Ms. Brucker stated that the Legal Department will be pursuing tax liens whereas now there are three(3) different collection agencies attempting to get the City's business in this area. Council Member Coleman inquired about the process of perfecting a lien. Ms. Brucker stated that now the City uses a collection agency and Small Claims Court. Once a tax lien is gotten, when the property goes on tax sale the lien would be paid in two(2) years. Dr. Varner and Council Member Coleman requested that more information be provided to the Council when the transition takes place to tax liens. Ms. Brucker stated that a number of legal interns in the Legal Department will do the bulk of the work on this project, and would have the City Attorney's Office update the Council. 2004 Weights and Measures 2003 Expenditures $39,503 General Fund # 101-1202 2004 Expenditures $42,150 Catherine Brucker noted that there are no major changes in this fund, with Weights and Measures being subject to a contractual agreement between St. Joseph County and the city. 2004 Code Hearing Officer 2003 Expenditures $56,977 General Fund # 101-1203 2004 Expenditures $56,978 Catherine Brucker noted that Andrew Gammage is the Code Hearing Officer who subject to a contract with the City for his services which is negotiated by the City Attorney's Office. 2004 Unsafe Building 2003 Expenditures $255,166 General Fund # 101-1205 2004 Expenditures $180,638 Catherine Brucker stated that this budget is down by 29.2% or a reduction of$74,000 in light of the emphasis on rehabilitation instead of demolition. They are utilizing a receivership program addressed in Senate Bill No. 1378 which has simplified the procedure. They have received two (2) properties this year. In response to a question from Council Member Coleman,Ms. Brucker noted that there were: 88 buildings demolished in 2002 50 buildings demolished to date in 2003 They are working with more companies and are being more friendly throughout this process. They work closely with MIOPA and individuals, with most of the units demolished being residential. 14 of the 88 buildings were garages.