09-18-96 Personnel & Finance - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

QCommfttu *tport: Personnel and Finance Committee g0 tlje COMM QCOUtttfl Of the tttV of South larttb: The September 18, 1996 meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Steve Luecke at 2:00 p.m. in the Council Informal meeting room. Persons in attendance included Council Members: Luecke, Kelly, Pfeifer, Varner, Zakrzewski, Coleman and Broden; Jenny Pitts Manier,Ann Kolata,Beth Leonard, Cheryl Phipps, Don Inks, Kay Pola, Pam Meyer, Richard Nussbaum, Don Fozo, Jon Hunt, Rebecca Neese, Fiscal Officer for the Building Department, Jeff Rinard, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. BUILDING DEPARTMENT 1996 BUDGETED $770,219 1997 REQUESTED $892,008 Mr. Don Fozo, the Building Commissioner,reviewed the proposed budget. He noted that this is an enterprise budget. Design and plan review will be a new project added to the duties and responsibilities of the Building Department. These duties were formally provided by the Redevelopment Department. Mr. Fozo noted that the actual requested budget in 1996 was approximately $847,000 and therefore the overall increase is not as significant as shown by the dollar amounts. He noted that computer upgrades will begin in 1997. He also highlighted increases for inspectors. The Granger area received significant hail damage which increased inspections by over 1,100. He also noted that Osceola is now part of the operation. LaPorte County is interested in talking about services being provided with this being discussed at a per-inspection basis only. Mr. Fozo noted that in 1998 grading of building departments in Indiana will begin. Certification of inspectors will be a key factor in such a process. He noted that reductions in insurance rates up to 17%per homeowners are a possibility. The State of Indiana has no State requirements for inspections. He is recommending combination inspectors with testing as a key component. He also noted that a new lease was recently entered into which added approximately 500 square feet to the Department. There will be a contract with Jon Hunt's department in light of the design and plan duties being added. He noted that Jim Markle will be involved in making the office more user friendly. Two leased cars are being eliminated with the addition of one City car to the vehicle fleet. He also noted that there is a possibility for a local plan review option in light of the 6 week turn around time down by the State. Contractors will be updated for this opportunity. In response to a question raised by Council Member Luecke,it was noted that projected income is $836,062 before interest.