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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-09-83 Personnel & Finance atnmmtflrr Erpnrt au tilt (gammon (go nd' of or Mug of 'nid1 limed: PERSONNEL AND FINANCE COMMITTEE The Personnel and Finance Committee of the South Bend Common Council began its meetings on the proposed 1984 Civil City Budget on August 9, 1983 at 1:30 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. . Persons in attendance included Councilmen Beck, Serge, Harris, Zielinski and Voorde, Sherrie Petz , Joseph Kernan, Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand and the named individuals listed under the specific department headings. The Committee' s Chairman, Councilman Serge called upon the City Controller to summarize the first budget before the Committee. MAYOR, PAGE 1 The Mayor' s budget is proposed at $108;220 which represents a 6% increase over the present budget. It was noted that all salaries listed. in this budget and all other departments show the total amounts therefore eliminating footnote references that were used last year. It was further noted that the promotional expense proposed at-$10,000 is needed since South Bend will host the 1984 IACT convention. • CONTROLLERS, PAGES 2-4 The Controller' s budget is proposed at $1, 962 , 054 for an increase of 10% over the present budget. Mr. Kernan noted that there are no changes listed in personnel. The group insurance which `is up 13% for a total. of $675,000 and social security which is up 14% for a total of $240,000 is for the entire general fund, He highlighted that the unemployment compensation was decreased 33% and speculated that the City has one of the best records in the. State. The security account in the amount of $900 represents the security system in effect on the 14th floor and the Mayor' s home. COMMON COUNCIL, PAGES 1`0-11 The Council 's budget is proposed at $235,807 for a decrease of 5% over the present budget. It includes $125, 000 in the other contractual line item; representing the first payment on the City election expenses. POLICE DEPARTMENT, PAGES 22-26 The Police Department budget is proposed at $7,356 ,649 representing a 9% increase over the current budget. Police Chief Dan Thompson, Officer Mitchell, and Thyra Overton, Fiscal Officer were on hand to explain the budget. It was noted that nine new people were proposed to be Communications Specialist with a 108% increase for a total of $288, 630. The Police Force would be cut by four uniformed officers leaving 238 sworn officers on the force. The Police Chief stated that the very minimum to operate .the COP Program was 238. He further noted that he does not have enough man power to address the drug problem in the City. /AK PRESS *ea. POOL la NINO CO. f Page 2. Personnel and Finance Committee Councilman Voorde expressed his concern over the COP Program and questioned whether it was really cost-effective. To date, the Council has not received any written update on the program nor a listing of its total monetary cost. - He also questioned what the condition of the police fleet was. The Chief noted that 35 new cars were received this spring. From their experience so far, the Chrysler products were doing better than the Chevrolets. The issues of the crossing guards were then raised. It was noted that there is no provision for bumping for`- positions in the past. It was further noted that approximately $20,000 would be needed to address the . crossing guards proposal. The increase of 250% in office equipment for a total of $21,400 was for micro-film equipment, and a substantial amount of money was proposed in the other contractual line item for the California firm of Wyvern Associates for the police merit system, the company used under the last administration. FIRE DEPARTMENT,. PAGES 27-29 A Fire Department budget was proposed at. $5,489, 851 representing a 7% increase over the current budget., Fire Chief. Tim Brassel and Rick Switalski were on hand to answer any questions. Councilman Taylor also joined the meeting at this point:. One new Battalion Chief at $25,030 is proposed and one less Specialist at $21, 850. The total strength of the Firefighters will be 247 representing the reduction due to the Communication Operation. Clothing allowance is proposed at a .12% increase for 4 total of $151,450 so that all OSHA clothing requirements can be met next year. The condition of the equipment was then questioned. Chief Brassel stated that they presently .have a 1960 ladder truck and a 1962 snorkle. Two new pumpers are expected in September, and he believed that a new ladder truck. would be needed in approximately two years.. Additionally, major repairs on the ladder truck would be needed. Due to the increased size of equipment major structural repairs to the stations at Portage and McKinley stations are anticipated-, or .even new stations. Councilman Voorde questioned the status of the physical fitness program. It was noted that the program has not started due to a problem over receiving waiver of liabilities from the firefighters. Chief Brassel stated that approximately $20,000 each year would be needed to properly fund the program. He stated that the problem is one of an aging force, and that the Department must have standards since age requirements .alone do not hold up legally. The Chief stated that the Force is two persons short for proper manning and that a problem of paying over-time during peak vacation periods was anticipated. Approximately $30, 000 is needed to put a new person on the Force. The Council Attorney asked for an update on the hazardous wastes program and the toll: road. The. Chief noted .that nothing has been built into • • Page 3. Personnel and Finance. Committee the 1984 budget.. Approximately 25 firefighters have been trained in the area and have been working with the Poision Control Center at the hospitals. Revenue sharing would be the anticipated source of revenue if the City got further in# olved with the program,. EMS, PAGES 31-32 The Emergency Medical Services Budget is proposed at $391,604 representing a 3% decrease over the present budget. It includes salaries for 18 paramedics. South Bend has one of the better programs throughout the State. However, the problem of "paramedic burnout" was a real one. It was noted that approximately $160,000 was in the dedicated fund set up by the Council with $65,000 of this amount being earmarked for the snorkel and $60, 00.0 of this amount being earmarked for a new ambulance. Between $11-12,00C per month was being received in the dedicated fund. BUREAU OF COMMUNICATIONS, PAGES 35-36 Glen Zubler, John Leszczynski, and Mary Ellen Koeple were on hand to answer guestions. Councilman Zielinski asked how close we were to completing the Communications Operation. Two to three months would still be needed, however the telephone strike did pose a problem. A brief discussion of yesterday' s meeting with the County Sheriff and the Mayor from Mishawaka was then held., CITY CLERK, PAGES 5-6 The City Clerk' s budget is proposed at $56,734 which represents a 4% increase. Irene Gammon noted that the main problem she is anticipating is in addressing the duplicating needs of her office and the Council. Following further discussion by the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 4:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Joseph Serge, Chairman