HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-28-09 Budget Hearings - Personnel and Finance Committee~1 ~!
2010 BUDGET HEARINGS
PERSONNEL AND FINANCE COMMITTEE JULY 28, 2009
The July 28, 2009 Personnel and Finance Committee Meeting was called to order by its
Chairperson Tom LaFountain at 5:03 p.m.
Committee Member's in Attendance: Karen L. White; David Varner
Other Council Member's: Derek Dieter; Ann Puzzello; Tim Rouse; Henry Davis; Al
"Buddy" Kirsits
Other's Present: Gary Gilot; Catherine Fanello; Chuck Leone; John Murphy; Catherine
Toppel; MaryAnn Myers; Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand; Jeff Parrott; Jeff Gibney; Tom
Price; Mikki Dobski; Aladean DeRose; Jerry Niezgodski
AGENDA: MAYOR'S OPENING REMARKS/BUDGET OVERVIEW
Chairperson Tom LaFountain opened the 2010 budget review process by recognizing
Mayor Luecke who put the budget review in context. The Mayor began by announcing
some "good News" just received from the federal government. He said that as a part of
the federal stimulus package the city would receive a grant of nearly $2.5 million to
retain 13 police officers through a 3 year grant. The only stipulation being the need to
retain the officers for 12 months after the grant expires. Details of the award are in an
attached press release dated 7-28-09. The Mayor went on to say the city had also grant
applications in process to retain fire-fighters. He went on to describe the challenges of
putting together a budget for 2010 when 2008 revenues from property taxes and'09 rates
and revenues have yet to move out of limbo. Tax collection rates once bills do get mailed
are estimated at .95%. This along with estimated LOIT collections further complicate
identifying revenues realistically. All in all budgets presented conservatively estimated
are built on an expected decline in revenue of $6 - $8 million from previous pre-HEA
1011-08 effects. The Mayor spoke about finer points covered in handout #2 attached.
The Mayor emphasized prior to the passage of LOIT the city expected a 27% cut in
revenues. City Department Heads were instructed to prepare worst-case scenario
budgets. LOIT's passage reduces the expected shortfalls from $12 million to a somewhat
more manageable $6 - $8 million less. An overview of how, where, and to what extent
managers had to adjust their budgets is detailed in a press release dated 7-28-091isted
here as attachment #3. The 3rd attachment also adheres to the priorities the Council
related to the Mayor. That is then, a restoration of earlier cuts in police, fire, and park
budgets using the funds recently made available by the LOIT passage.
The Mayor then turned the floor to City Controller Catherine Fanello who provided the
attached handouts #4 & #5, a budget overview. Her comments offered an historical
budget perspective and description of fund accounting. This comprehensive overview
included both revenue and expenditure sources and estimates.
Chairperson LaFountain then asked Councilmember's for questions or comment. These
having been satisfied he adjourned the meeting at 6:02.
Tom Lar~ountain, Chairperson
Personnel and Finance Committee