HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-19-12 Personnel & Finance PERSONNEL AND FINANCE SEPTEMBER 19, 2012
BUDGET REVIEW 4:00 P.M.
Committee Members Present: Karen White, Dr. David Varner, Gavin Ferlic (4:35 p.m.),
Henry Davis (4:55 p.m.)
Citizen Members Present: Tammy McNally, Julaine James
Other Council Present: Val Schey
Others Present: Kathy Cekanski-Farrand, Mark Neal, John Murphy,Rahman Johnson,
Mayor Pete, Kathryn Roos, Pete Mullen
Agenda: City Clerk Budget
Pete Mullen, County Auditor
Karen White, Personnel and Finance Committee Chair,intended to open this hearing by
introducing St. Joseph County Auditor Pete Mullen to give an account of the projected
tax distributions from the State of Indiana. Because the Auditor was funning late, Karen
called upon City Clerk John Voorde to resent his budget.
Voorde explained the Clerk's budget followed the prescribed guideline allowing for a 2%
increase in salaries and a reordering of expense accounts to reflect actual spending
patterns. After a few clarifying answers to Council questions the budget proposals were
approved.
St. Joseph County Auditor Pete Mullen now present was called upon for his report. Pete
said the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance said to expect a flat-line
revenue distribution of taxes. One of the areas of concern is the 30%drop in 911 fees
from land lines or a decrease in distribution of about $20 million. Further impacting
costs is the required reduction of dispatch centers in the county from the current five to
two by 2014. Two other negative projections are the reduction of Motor Vehicle
Highway funds available and declining proceeds from the "Major Moves" funds created
by the long-term lease of the toll road. Mullen's closing missive was to proceed
cautiously and conservatively.
The City Council's budget was presented by Council President Derek Dieter. In his
presentation Derek focused on three highlights. The first being a 2% salary increase.
The second, a continuing move toward a paperless office by the purchase of i-pads for
Councilmember's. The third being a renewed effort for verbatim minutes of Council
Committee Meetings.
Mayor Pete Buttigieg with the assistance of Mark Neal, City Controller, and a handout(a
copy of which is on file in the Office of the City Clerk)presented the administrations
budget. The Council asked for an organizational chart along with job descriptions for
those on the 14th Floor as well as the reorganized economic development department.
The Fire Department followed. Fire Chief Cox referred the Council to handouts(a copy
of which is on file in the Office of the City Clerk) and P. 903 of the budget book. Beyond
just hard numbers Chief Cox spoke of plans to increase ambulance fees to offset the
purchase of new equipment and the refurbishment of several fire stations. The Chief also
described a process to possibly re-locate stations based upon optimum response times.
All considerations he said had to take into account service provision in the most effective
and cost efficient method possible.
The Police budget presentation followed. Division Chief Gary Horvath walked the
Council through the presentation using a hand out(a copy of which is on file in the
Office of the City Clerk) Council President Dieter, a police officer himself, asked the
most pointed questions. He questioned the unlikely prospect of meeting the departments'
key performance indicators given the present staffing levels. He said typically"beats"
are not covered and the overtime budget used to supplement was inadequate and
therefore unrealistic. Councilmember Henry Davis, Jr., followed further questioning
whether present staffing levels were sufficient. He suggested re-allocating resources
from Metro units to neighborhood patrol presence. Councilmember's Varner and Scott
also questioned the adequacy of resources and their allocation.
Through assurances were given as to the adequacy of personnel the Council was less than
convinced.
There being no further business to come before the Personnel &Finance Committee at
this time, Chairperson White adjourned the meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Karen L. White, Chairperson
Personnel & Finance Committee