HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-09-84 Personnel & Finance fdnmmtttit smart
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to tit Common Qlouuctt of Up Qitbg at€Pattfli Personnel and Finance Committee
The. August 9, 1984 meeting Aof the Personnel and Finance Committee was
called to order by its' chairman, Ann Puzzello at 3:40 p.m. in the Council
informal meeting room.
Persons in attendance included Councilmen: Braboy, Paszek, Puzzello,
Voorde, Beck, Crone, and Serge, Mayor Parent, Carol- Sheetz , Jim Wensits,
_Mike Vance, Dave Sypniewski and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand.
Councilman Rdtzello noted that the purpose of the meeting was to continue
the review of the preliminary budget for 1985. . In lightoffirs Vance's letter
dated August 1, 1984 (copy attached) the Council would have to cut at least
$150,000 from the budget. She suggested that specific proposed cuts be made
as we review each department and bureau. -
Mr. Vance noted that the City would be appealing the utility costs in
the amount of $259 ,560, and the accumlated deficit in the parking garages
in the amount of , $453,000 for a total of. $712,560. Pension and utility costs
when appealed are almost automatic whereas the garage deficit is not es
certain. He noted that the proposed budget is over the frozen levy limit and
that $150,000 would have to be cut to meet the maximum allowable levy required
by law. Both. Councilmen Crone and Paszek suggested that the City Administratior
recommend where the budget cuts . should come from rather than a page by page
review by the Council. However, Councilman Puzzello believed the department
approach should be tried. •
Councilman Voorde suggested that the City Administration should reduce
its' budgets to a maximum increase of 1% over last year. He noted that too
often if an amount was approved the previous year it is considered o.k.
He suggested that such things as zero based budgeting where you would have to
justify each dollar should be considered by the Council. He noted that
last year he and other Councilmen voted against the budget but voted for the
levy. Various cuts were proposed with such monies being placed in the
operating balance. Mt. Nance stated that a large operating balance would
negatively effect any appeal above the tax levy. Councilman Voorde stated
then that each budget has "a little elbow room" to which 74r. Vance agreed.
Councilman Voorde noted that the budget process is "woefully inadequate"
and hoped that a new review process could be used in the future.
Carol .Sheetz questioned whether the $150,000 which needed to be cut
was an amount over the Controller' s approved budget, and was told that it was.
Councilman Crone questioned why the administrative assistant to
neighborhoods listed under the Controller' s budget was not listed in the
Mayor' s budget. Following discussion the Committee agreed to this
recommended change. It was noted that the travel account and the controller's
budget is used to cover any deficits in theMayor' s and the City Attorney's
travel budgets. Rents are up 451% which is a result of the leases being
consolidated on the three leased vehicles. Councilman Voorde noted that as of .
this date the Council has still not received the vehicle inventory report.
Mr. Vance stated he would contact Mr. Leszczynski on this matter. Councilman
Crone. .again expressed her concern that employees in the City Clerk' s officer
were receiving' a different percentage which was ,substantially higher than
other City employees. Councilmen Beck and Puzzello noted that these were
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"adjustments" and that several other adjustments were made in the Public
Works Department. Councilman Beck suggested that the City lessen the amount
of legal services contracted for which are in addition to the City Attorney's
staff. She noted that in light of the fact that there are several full
time attorneys that contracting elsewhere should be at a minimum.
Councilman Crone questioned the increase in travel and instruction costs
in the Council budget which were defended by Councilman Beck. Mr. Vance
noted that the electric current Line Item 351 would be appealed.
Councilman Paszek questioned the amount of cars in both the fire and
police department budgets .
Mr. Vance noted that $125,000 is recommended for Economic Development
(page 34) in light of the funding cutbacks . The Committee-requested that
Jon Hunt explain these requests. Councilman Beck noted that a letter would
be sent to the Humane Society since they did not adequately respond to the
letter sent by Kathy Barnard. Mr. Vance noted that he also had several
questions he desired to ask the Humane Society.
Councilman Crone questioned whether all personnel in the Water Works
Department who would be laid off have been notified. She has received a
telephone call from an Operator III. who was told that he would be an
Operator II next year with a .20. per hour decrease. Mr . Vance said he would
look into this.
Councilman Puzzello requested a detailed overview of the self insurance
program.
The Committee noted several areas of questioning in each of the budgets
and would be contacting the department and bureau heads for futher details .
The following proposed budgets were recommended to be cut:
Page Account No. Department Acc . Description Amount to be Cut
3 331 Controller Publ. Legal Notices $3,000
4 379 Controller Rents 3 ,000
7 214 . City Atty Law books 1,000
16 399 City Eng. Other contractuals 10 ,000
19 110. 09 Police Recruits 31,500
20 120 Police Salaries/Wages Temp. 30, 000
20 130 Police Extra & Overtime 20 , 000
23 151 Fire '4ed. , Surg._ ,Dental 20, 000
24 . 220 Fire Sanitation Supplies 1,688
24 363 Fire Equipment Repair 5 ,000
25 429 Fire Other Equipment 2 ,500
. 29 130 Traf/ligh. Extra and overtime 11,340
31 399 Comm. Other contractural 1,500
38 231 Veh. Main. `4 ainten. Supply 5 , 000
Total proposed cuts $145 ,528
Page 3.
Following further review by the Committee, it was recommended that
the chairman set up additional meetings for next week to continue the budget
review. The meeting was adjourned at 7 : 00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Anne Puzzello, Chairman