08-30-00 Personnel & Finance - Laserfiche WebLink

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Committee pot: etoannei an /inane ( ommcttee The August 30, 2000 meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee was called to order by its Chairperson,Council Member James Aranowski at 3:05 pm in the Council Informal Meeting room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Aranowski, Varner, and Kirsits; Citizen Member Isabelle Gonzalez, Building Commissioner Don Fozo, Fiscal Officer Rebecca Neese,City Controller Cathy Roemer and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Council Member Aranowski welcomed members of the Building Department to the budget meetings for a review of their proposed 2001 budget. BUILDING DEPARTMENT IEUND it 600) 2000 Total Revenue Projection: $1,027,440 2001 Total Revenue Projection: $1,079,490 $ 52,050 reflecting a 5.1 %increase 2000 Total Expense Projection: $1,099,120 2001 Total Expense Projection: $ 1,040,142 $34,506 reflecting a 3.4%increase Don Fozo, Building Commissioner made the presentation. He noted that the anticipated changes in revenue would be directly related to the rate changes. An ordinance is pending before the County Council which will be acted upon in October which is similar to the ordinance passed by the Common Council. Mr. Fozo noted that they may have to dip into reserves. He then reviewed the footnoted material on the"Summary of Major Changes"page. Mr. Fozo added that his department is looking at rolling over the vehicle fleet every four years as opposed to every three years which is the current policy. The fleet covers 440 square miles. In response to a question from Dr. Varner it was noted that the vehicles average between 80-90,00 miles. The vehicles are obtained as demos with approximately 12,000 to 20,000 on them. All employees have the option to take the vehicles home or park them in the city garage. In response to a question from Dr. Varner, Mr. Fozo noted that at the beginning of this year he had$271,000 in cash reserves which is now down $ 50,000. Mr. Fozo noted that his staff is stretched to the limit. One person goes to AM General daily to check concrete work and there is additional time needed to review prints before checking. By state law, the Building Department is a public safety department and therefore the inspection phase is critical to safety. Permits are becoming more complicated in light of DNR, asbestos checks, Design Review, historical reviews, etc. As a result, it is impossible to train personnel in light of the load. In response to a question form Dr. Varner, Mr. Fozo noted that permits are not longer seasonal. The commercial side is strong throughout the year thanks to the warm winters. Jim Markle is certified and can get a state stamp for prints. They are considering reviewing local plan review which would not be mandatory. The State Building Commissioner's stamp however would still need to be obtained.