09-03-97 Personnel & Finance - Laserfiche WebLink

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Commfttu Zsport: Personnel and Finance Committee �o tbt Common County of the City of iboutb nb: The September 3, 1997 meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Sean Coleman at 3:05 p.m. in the council informal meeting room. Persons in attendance included Council Members: Kelly, Pfeifer, Coleman, Varner, Broden, Aranowski, Udjak and Broden; Mayor Stephen Luecke, Cathy Roemer, Tom Skarbek,Loretta Duda,Terry Bland and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. Council Member Coleman welcomed all individuals to the first meeting of a series of meetings to review the 1998 Civil City of South Bend Operating Budget. Mayor Luecke noted that he gave two(2)basic guidelines to his department heads,that all personnel costs are set (as established by ordinance) and that all other expenses be "flat- lined". He noted a continuing commitment to public safety with approximately eighty percent(80%)of the budget being devoted to this objective. The Mayor noted that this is a "no frills budget". It will deviate from his State of the City Address, since it will reflect a five percent(5 %) increased in monies to be raised in property taxes. He noted that CCDF was earlier increased from $.12 to $ .15 and that this would be folded into the 5 % increase. The Mayor noted that the"customer survey"noted four(4)primary areas of concern: 1. public safety 2. education 3. aesthetics 4. community and economic development. He further highlighted that ten (10)police officers would be maintained in the budget and would no longer be eligible for federal grant assistance. Two (2) positions would be civilized,and four(4)additional firefighters would be added to fire suppression.He added that me met today with Governor O'Bannon and Superintendent Calvin about the "Safe Havens" program. New park crews would be added for tree trimming in tree lawns; and that the City would continued to work in partnership with Project Future. The College Football Hall of Fame budget would be deferred to a later date. Cathy Roemer, City Controller, then reviewed the various handouts beginning with the "1998 Budget-Significant Issues" She noted that all capital issues would be addressed in January and that the Council would only be reviewing an operating budget addressing cash on hand. Revenue projections in 1997 were projected at $ 40,269,280; and in 1998 revenue projections are at$42,803,035 representing approximately a 4.6 % increase. Expenditures are projected to increase to approximately 12.1%,however when all changes are factored in the expenditures result in ($2,059,625). She added that the 1998 budget summary reflects an 82 % commitment to public safety. She further added that 74% of the entire budget is directly related to personnel costs. A growing concern focuses on the pension funds for the police and fire departments which will reflect a deficit of$ 807,309 which will