Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-01-92 Personnel & Finance • Committ t *sport PERSONNEL AND FINANCE COMMITTEE �0 the Common CountiU of the City of South letn : The September 1, 1992 meeting of the Personnel and Finance Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Ann Puzzello at 3:40 p.m. in the Council Informal meeting room. Persons in attendance included Council Members: Luecke, Kelly, Washington, Puzzello, Zakrzewski, Coleman, Ladewski and Duda; John Leszczynski, Mayor Joseph Kernan, Cathy Dempsey, Kevin Horton, Jeff Rinard,William Eagan, Joseph Kuharic,Don Porter, and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. Council Member Puzzello introduced the two citizen members to the Committee namely William Eagan and Joseph Kuharic. She noted that the purpose of today's meeting was to begin the detailed review of the proposed 1993 budget. She then called upon the Mayor and the City Controller to give an overview to the budget. 1). Budget Overview. Mayor Kernan noted that throughout the wage negotiations this summer the consistent theme was that 1993 would be a tough fiscal year. He noted that there have been significant loses in revenue but despite this the City Administration had worked closely with the department heads to minimize increases. The overall General Fund will reflect a two point six eight per cent (2.68%) increase in the aggregate. The budget reflects an attempt to cost center the entire budget. There would be no new programs with relatively few exceptions. The Mayor noted that two new officers would be added in 1993 bringing the force from 236 officers to 238. He noted that the three year plan would have added eight new officers in 1993 and eight additional officers in 1994 if local option income tax would have been approved. The Mayor also noted that the Fire Department would remain at current levels and that the three new firefighters which would have been added in 1993 will not take place. Mayor Kernan also noted that there would be limited capital expenditures of approximately two per cent (2%) total. Approximately one million ($1,000,000.00) will be spent for capital improvements of which three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000.00) are earmarked for replacement of police vehicles. He noted that due to the requirements of state law both the rate and the levy have been advertised significantly higher than the actual rate to be established. He did indicate that the city will be requesting the full five per cent (%5)levy increase. Kevin Horton noted that 1992 may be our worst fiscal with some improvements being made in 1993. He credited Jeff Rinard for addressing the cost centered budget process. He noted that the 1992 budget was not a cost centered budget. He also complimented the department heads throughout the preparation process. Mr. Horton then reviewed the handouts addressing various budget comparisons (copy attached). The proposed budget reflects an actual increase of four point one eight per cent (4.18%) with a net effective increase of two point six eight per cent(2.68%). Personnel and Finance Committee September 1, 1992 Page 2 Council Member Ladewski questioned whether any other departments may be consolidated with the county. He suggested Weights and Measures as an example. 2). Fire Department. At approximately 4:20 p.m. the Committee than began the review of the Fire Department Budget. Chief Luther Taylor, Assistant Chief Dan Mirocha, and Assistant Chief Rick Switalski then joined the meeting to review their proposed budget. They noted that the budget for 1993 is requested to be seven million four hundred and seventy-four thousand five hundred and ninety-two dollars ($7,474,592.00) and is set forth on pages 1-58 through 1-63. Areas of interest highlighted included that the cost for one hundred and seventy-six (176) physicals for the firefighters, and thirty-seven (37) hazmat physicals at two hundred and one dollars each ($201.00) have been proposed; that ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) is being requested for supplies to be made available in light of OSHA Regulations which take effect September 6, 1992 regarding blood born pathogens. It was also noted in response to a question raised by Council Member Puzzello that ADA building requirements would be addressed in the Controller's budget with approximately one hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($150,000.00) being available. The Fire Chief also noted that in light of the many annexations that it will necessary to replace the tank on the tanker truck for an approximate cost of six thousand dollars ($6,000.00). In response to a question raised by Council Member Coleman it was noted that applications are currently being made available for new firefighter positions. In response to a question raised by Council President Luecke it was noted that discussion is continuing with regard to a new station in the south end of the city. 3). EMS. The Committee then reviewed the Emergency Medical Services request for a 1993 budget of eight million three hundred eleven thousand seven hundred and nine dollars ($8,311,709.00) with the specifics of the budget being found on pages 1-64 through 1-67. It was noted that three additional officers have been requested and they are requesting that Battalion Chiefs instead of Assistant Chiefs be used so that there is parody at the Sample and Marion Street Offices. Nineteen (19) physicals will be needed for the EMS staff in order to comply with OSHA Regulations. In response to a question raised by Council Member Duda it was noted that the Chief is currently with the Union on designating areas for non-smoking in each of the firehouses. Personnel and Finance Committee September 1, 1992 Page 3 4). Fire Pension. The Committee then reviewd the Fire Pension which is found on page 11-1 and is requested to be three million three hundred and forty thousand five hundred and eighty-six dollars ($3,340,586.00) for 1993. One hundred and two (102) of the two hundred and fifteen (215) firefighters are eligible to retire of which fifty-four (54) of the one hundred and two (102) are eligible to receive benefits today if they retired. They are projecting retirements of ten to twelve in 1993. Council Member Ladewski questioned the two thousand dollar($2,000.00)figure for legal fees and was advised that separate council and not the city attorney's office is used for the pension board. Currently there are eighty-four(84) widows and one hundred and ninety- two (192) firefighters on pension. To date two firefighters have retired this year. 5). Police Department. The Committee then turned to the Police Department Budget. At approximately 5:15 p.m. Police Chief Ron Marciniak, Fiscal Officer Don Pinckert, and Jim Moreland joined the meeting to review the proposed budgets. The 1993 budget is requested at ten million eight hundred and forty-eight thousand seven hundred and ninety-eight dollars ($10,848,798.00) and is found on pages 1-46 through 1-55. It was noted that to date twenty-five hundred dollars ($2500.00) has been paid for legal fees due to hearing before the board of public safety and depositions. This amount was not budgeted and they were advised last year that the legal department would oversee outside Council bills. However since this is not being done they are requesting this amount of money for next year. It was also noted that the K-9 unit is being increased from five officers to seven officers. The cost for medical services has increased and they are currently over budget by fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00). An officer who is injured in an automobile accident and had a ruptured aorta had medical bills alone of over fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) and the officer who was shot earlier this year has extensive nerve damage and ongoing medical treatment. Both officers are back to work currently. The budget also includes ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) proposed for drug testing and twenty-five hundred dollars ($2500.00) for Hepatitis B inoculations. Pursuant to OSHA regulations masks, eye protection, and guns are required for all officers. It was also noted that currently there are ten to twelve celluar phones and several pagers in use all of which are owned by the city. The projected budget is for airtime only. It was also noted that approximately forty typewriters were purchased in May of this year for the officers in order to complete their reports. Kevin Horton complimented Chief Marciniak and Don Pinckert in light of the unexpected cost of living within their overall budget. • Personnel and Finance Committee September 1, 1992 Page 4 6). Communications. The Committee then reviewed the Communications Budget which is proposed at eleven million six hundred and forty thousand nine hundred and fifteen dollars ($11,640,915.00) and is found on pages 1-56 and 1-57. This is the dispatch center and the only increase represents the bonuses to be received by the Teamster employees. 7). Police Pension. The Committee then reviewed the Police Pension Budget proposed at two million seven hundred and eighty-eight thousand five hundred and thirty dollars ($2,788,530.00) found on pages 12-1 and 12-2. Mr. Moreland noted that the medical account will be in the red this year but that monies from the legal services line item could be used to off set that amount. Mr. Moreland then provided copies of the detail supporting the 1993 budget request(copy attached). There being no further business to come before the Committee the meeting was adjourned at 6:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Council Member Ann Puzzello, Chairperson,Personnel and Finance Committee