HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-29-12 Personnel & Finance PERSONNEL & FINANCE COMMITTEE OCTOBER 29,2012
3:30 P.M.
Committee Members Present: Karen White, Gavin Ferlic, David Varner,
Henry Davis, Jr., (4:35 p.m.)
Citizen Members Present: Tammy McNally
Other Council Members Present: Tim Scott, Valerie Schey, Oliver Davis,
Derek Dieter
Others Present: Mike Schmuhl, Gary Gilot, Scott Ford, Kathleen Cekanski-
Farrand, Chuck Bulot, Gary Gilot, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Rahman Johnson, Mark Neal,
Don Inks, Catherine Toppel, Kevin Allen, Hardie Blake, Ken Glowacki, SBPD
Agenda: Bill No. 42-12 Tax Levy&Rate
Bill No. 43-12 Appropriation Dept. Expenses
Bill No. 44-12 Appropriation Enterprise Funds
Bill No. 54-12— Salaries Non-Bargaining
Bill No. 57-12—Salaries SBPD
This session of Karen White's Personnel &Finance Committee is the nineteenth meeting
held to review the City's 2013 Budget. This by far exceeds the number of meetings
called to review the administration's budget proposals at any time in the recent past and
this was by design. Karen and the Mayor collaborated to incorporate the goals and
priorities of the Mayor, the Council and the public for 2013.
The first of the three budget bills up for final consideration at tonight's meeting is Bill
No. 42-12 which sets the maximum levy and tax rate for South Bend in 2013. According
to state law the Council must act on the 2013 bills by the end of October or the 2012
limits would carry over. Karen asked City Controller Mark Neal to present the bill.
Mark began asking for consideration of a substitute bill. Gavin Ferlic motioned for
acceptance. David Varner seconded and all supported. Mark with the assistance of
Deputy Controller John Murphy explained the process. Dave Varner asked for a five-
year history of the rate and assessed value before motioning Bill No. 42-12 go to Council
favorably. Gavin Ferlic seconded and all supported.
The next bill for consideration was Bill No. 43-12, the actual tax supported city budgets.
Mark Neal and John Murphy presented the final version tailored to accommodate Council
concerns voiced at earlier meetings. Mark and John fielded Council questions. The
funding sources for police and fire as well as funding for additional police minimums on
certain bents were the main focus. Promises to address beat staffing internally within the
budget in 2013 were enough to placate Council concerns. Once these were addressed
David Varner moved to send the amended Bill No. 43-12 favorably. Gavin Ferlic
seconded and all supported.
The final budget Bill No. 44-12 dealt with the enterprise or utility funded budgets. This
budget proved to be the least controversial of all. In large part this was due to the fact
that the bill did not deport from a multi-year rate and capital improvement plan approved
by the Council last year. After minimal discussion Gavin Ferlic motioned to send
favorably. David Varner seconded and all supported.
The final two bills on the agenda were 54-12, the salary bill for non-bargaining
employees and Bill No. 57-12, the two year contract recently ratified by the SBFD union.
Mark Neal explained the salary increase of 2% for 2013 for all non-bargaining employees
was affordable due to savings found in the 2012 budget. The amended version presented
incorporated Council recommendations earlier stated. With these changes Dr. David
Varner motioned the substitute bill be sent favorably. Gavin Ferlic seconded and all
affirmed.
The 2 year firefighters compensation Bill No. 57-12 was presented by Kathy Cekanski-
Farrand who acted as the Council's Chief Negotiator with the FD resulting in a 2 year
ratified agreement. Henry Davis followed by Gavin Ferlic motioned favorably and were
supported by all.
There being no further business to come before the Personnel &Finance Committee at
this time, Chairperson White adjourned the meeting at 5:36 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Gam
Karen L. White, Chairperson
Personnel &Finance Committee