HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-16-93 Personnel & Finance QCommittu Z ort of tfx Vtroonn i an Irina= Commiat=
The August 16, 1993 meeting of the Personnel and Finance
Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Councilmember Ann
Puzzello at 3:05 p.m. in the Council Informal meeting room.
Persons in attendance included Councilmembers: Coleman, Luecke,
Puzzello, Ladewski, and Zakrewski; Mayor Joseph E. Kernan, Kevin
Horton, Jeff Rinard, Joseph Kuhariak, William Eagan, Fire Chief Luther
Taylor, Police Chief Ron Marciniak, Asst. Chief Rick Switalski, Asst.
Chief Joel Wolvos, Don Pinkert, James Mooreland, Ed Talley, Don Porter
and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand.
Councilmember Puzzello welcomed everyone in attendance and
noted that over the next two weeks there will be tedious hours of daily
meetings and numerous documents as the Personnel and Finance Committee
and the Utilities Committee jointly review the proposed 1994 budgets for
the Civil City budget as well as the enterprise funds.
Mayor Kernan than presented the Budget Overview. He stressed the
need for a firm and strong financial foundation for the City, and noted that
the estimates regarding revenue and proposed expenditures are
conservative. He acknowledged that there has been alot of sacrifice by
employees which has resulted in better equipment. He also noted that
sacrifice has positively resulted in saving over one-half million dollars
through a bond refinancing and having the City's bond rating upgraded
from a conditional "A"rating to an "A" rating.
The Mayor noted that this is the first combined budget ever
presented to the Council, and will also include the Economic Development
budget. The Building Department will also be considered as an enterprise
fund. Equipment Services will be an internal service fund with costs
divided between each department reflecting their proportionate share. He
noted that more and more general fund monies are being used for roads
and streets in light of fewer federal and state dollars being allocated.
Travel and training will be addressed in each department beginning next
year.
The most significant increase will be the Health Insurance Reserve which
will require adding 1.2 million dollars to fully fund it properly. The
budget also fully funds city-wide drug testing and continues funding for the
Personnel and Finance Committee
August 16, 1993
Page 2
Neighborhood Partnership Centers. The net reduction overall to City
personnel will be 15 positions however 3 positions in both the Police and
Fire Departments will be added (Fire through civilianization). The City is
requesting the full 5% increase in the levy. The Mayor stressed that is a
balance budget and a responsible budget, with limited capital improvements
proposed similar to the current budget. Significant progress has occurred
over the past 5 1/2 years with the assistance of the Common Council and
the City Administration. The General Fund increase is 1.2% annualized
change with funds inside the levy proposed at a 2.1% annualized change.
The Mayor thanked the Committees for the opportunity to review the
budgets and looks forward to the meetings and questions.
Mr. Kevin Horton then briefly reviewed material in the Comprehensive
Annual Financial Report. He stated that the City is attempting to reverse
the trends created by the huge loss of federal funds. With
intergovernmental agreements such as the one addressing the Building
Department dividend rights have been created. He stated that he would be
willing to initiate an ordinance which called for year-end revenue reviews
to take place the second week of February each year. He also noted the
need to review all fees on a yearly basis. There would be a reduction in
expenses if the health, liability and workers compensation increases were
backed out.
Mr. Horton noted that the following departments lost money: Parks,
Liability Insurance, Parking Garages, Waterworks, and Solid Waste.
Councilmembers Puzzello and Zakrewski suggested that the Solid Waste
budget not be heard until there have been a series of meetings on the City
Administration's overall proposal including a review of the new rate
ordinance and its rules and procedures which will affect the citizens. Both
of the citizen members of the Personnel and Finance Committee, namely
Mr. Kuhariak and Mr. Eagan joined in this suggestion.
Upon a motion being made by Councilmember Zakrewski and seconded by
Councilmember Ladewski, the Committee unanimously agreed to delay the
Solid Waste Budget hearing until a series of meetings were held on the
overall recommendations and the new rate and procedure ordinance.
Mr. Horton and Mr. Rinard then reviewed the handout (attached). They
noted that there is a 32 million dollar payroll for the City's more than 1200
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August 16, 1993
Page 3
employees. Less than 1% of the overall budget is spent on instruction.
Mr. Horton noted that they are recommending a looseleaf notebook system
this year for the preliminary budgets and welcomed further suggestions.
At approximately 4:45 p.m. the Committees began reviewing the Fire
Department budget, EMS and the Fire Pension budget. This was followed
by a review of the Police Department budget and the Police Pension
Budget.
The Committee meeting adjourned at approximately 6:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Ann Puzzello, Chairperson
Personnel and Finance Committee
Attachments