HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-16-10 Personnel & Finance Committee+#
;2011 Budget Hearings
PERSONNEL AND FINANCE COMMITTEE AUGUST 16, 2010
The August 16, 2010 Personnel and Finance Committee Meeting was called to order by
its Chairperson Tom LaFountain at 4:00 p.m.
Committee Member's in Attendance: Tom LaFountain, Karen L. White; David Varner
Oliver Davis
Other Council Member's: Derek Dieter; Ann Puzzello; Tim Rouse; Henry Davis;
Al "Buddy" Kirsits
Other's Present: Mayor Luecke, Gregg Zientara, Chuck Leone, Jeff Gibney, Rita
Kopala, Carol Davis, Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Phil St. Clair, Catherine Toppel, John
Murphy, Kurt Brown, Rahman Johnson, Mikki Dobski, Mary Ann Myers
AGENDA: MAYOR'S OPENING REMARKS/BUDGET OVERVIEW
With a full committee, Chairperson LaFountain, Chair of the Personnel & Finance
Committee introduced Mayor Luecke to make introductory remarks.
The Mayor said he was ready to proceed noting he was here to listen to Council as well
as just present his priorities in the budget. He went on to say there was both good and
bad news. Starting with the bad the Mayor said the assessed value of the City was down
again. Unemployment was high lowering COIT proceeds and the property tax collection
rate was lower than in the past. The good news is that through conservative budgeting
the foresight to have reserves and efficiencies, the city was in relatively good shape.
However due to property tax caps imposed by the state the city will be operating with
significantly fewer dollars in the years ahead. The amount estimated at $23.8 million in
2011, $24.6 million in 2012 and $25 million in 2013. Between 2008 and 2011 the
property tax generated will fall from $65.2 million to $50.2 million a 25% cut. On the
plus side, Local Option Income Taxes (LOIT) and the (COIT) County Option Income
Tax will cover some of the loss. Councilmember Tim Rouse questioned the reliability of
the projections for the Auditor. The Mayor responded saying these numbers were figured
conservatively. Gregg Zientara, City Controller, proceeded to expand on the Mayor's
overview. He distributed the large 3-ring budget binder to Council walking them through
the first introductory pages.
Chairperson LaFountain asked the Council to review the budget and review the calendar.
There being no further business to come before the committee at this time, Chairperson
LaFountain adjourned the meeting at 5:15 p.m.
tom Lapountam, Lnairperson
Personnel and Finance Committee