08-30-71 Council Special Meeting Minutes

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SPECIAL MEETING COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING (Cont.) Budget for Office of the Controller (Cont.): CURRENT CHARGES B -53 Refunds Awards and Indemnities CURRENT OBLIGATIONS B -62 Social Security B -63 Retirement (PERF) B -64 Employees' Group Insurance PROPERTIES B -725 Office Equipment AUGUST 30, 1971 PROPOSED RECOMMENDED APPROVED FOR 1972 REDUCTIONS FOR 1972 $ 25,000 98,940 204,762 117,012 2,000 $ 5,000 5,255 21,742 1,547 a $ 20,000 93,685 183,020 115,465 1,500 (-I I The Council recommended reductions in the amount of $49,212.00 in this budget. Mr. Bickel said that further reductions in accounts B -62 Social Security, B -63 Retirement (PERF), and B -64 Employees' Group Insurance in the amount of $4,074.00 were possible, making a grand total re- duction of $53,286.00 to this budget. He related that social security deductions will be made up to $10,200.00 at 5.4 %; a WALL STREET JOURNAL report of August 18, 1971 reported that the rate was changed from the current 5.2% to 5.06, and will be up to 7.4% by 1977. Mr. Bickel related we have a public service careers program in our city for additional training to our employees in the police, fire and traffic departments. We could offer training in lieu of lost payments if the Instruction account is reduced by a corresponding amount. Mrs. Faith Martin, secretary of the Fair Tax Association, Mrs. Wlodarski, and Miss Guthrie all stated it was felt further reductions could be made in the budget for this department. Budget for the Office of City Clerk: SERVICES PERSONAL C -11 Clerk III SERVICES CONTRACTUAL C -215 Transportation Allowance PROPERTIES C -725 Office Equipment PROPOSED RECOMMENDED APPROVED FOR 1972 REDUCTIONS FOR 1972 $ 5,153 100 542 $ 5,153 100 242 $ 0 37 300 The Council recommended reductions in the amount of $5,495.00 in this budget. In addition to Account C -11, Clerk III being eliminated, the Council suggested elimination of C -12 Temporary Help and, if extra help were needed, such help be drawn from Emergency Employment Act personnel. Mr. Bickel explained a presently existing position could not be replaced with Emergency Employ- ment Act personnel. Miss Guthrie also questioned the temporary help, stating that four people in this office is far too many especially since the court work is now handled by the County. Mrs. Kathryn L. Blough, City Clerk, stated that, since April 16, 1971, several employees were transferred to the County payroll and moved from her office just this past weekend. She then read the following statement: "LET'S TELL IT LIKE IT IS! It is imperative that this office is set up properly whether I am in this office or not. I was elected by the voters who are taxpayers. The voters trusted my judgement in operating this office. If I would not establish my budget to do an efficient job, I would be negligent in my duties to the taxpayer. An efficient office cannot be run with inefficient inexperienced help. This office needs three employees. We must create, not destroy. /s/ Kathryn L. Blough" Mrs. Wlodarski commented that the Fair Tax Association was recommending a reduction in Account C -725 Office Equipment as equipment will not be needed due to the reduction in staff. She further referred to Account C -213 Traveling Expenses and C -215 Transportation Allowance and asked if it was the duty of the City Clerk to travel. Mrs. Blough explained that she was a mem- ber of the International Clerks Association and was a delegate representative. It should be noted that Councilman John V. Wise arrived for the meeting at this time. Time 7 :45 P.M. Budget for Office of City Treasurer: Councilman Reinke stated there were no recommendations for reductions in this budget by the Council, the Civic Planning Association or Fair Tax Association. Councilman Frederick D. Craven said that there was very little work done as regards the Barrett Law and asked if Account D-11 Barrett Law Clerk could be reduced to a half -time position. Mr. Bickel said not with what had occurred previously; this was covered by the Burns Statute.