HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-12-09 Budget Hearings.~ "=
2010 BUDGET HEARINGS
PERSONNEL AND FINANCE COMMITTEE AUGUST 12, 2009
The August 12, 2009 Personnel and Finance Committee Meeting was called to order by
it's Chairperson Tom LaFountain at 3:30 p.m.
Committee Member's in Attendance: David Varner, Oliver Davis
Other Council Member's: Derek Dieter; Ann Puzzello; Henry Davis;
Other's Present: Chuck Bulot, Becky Neese, Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Ed Ronco, Rita
Kopala, Martha Lewis, John Murphy, Gregg Zientara, Mikki Dobski, Catherine Fanello,
Tom Price, Mayor Steve, Mary Ann Myers, Lynn Coleman, Vivian Sallie, Chuck Leone,
Lonnie Douglas, Ray Thomas, Kurt Brown
AGENDA: Building Department - Chuck Bulot, Becky Neese
Mayor Office -Mayor Steve
Self Insurance Fund -Catherine Fanello
Capital and Debt Funds -Catherine Fanello
COIT, CEDIT, CCD, EDIT, Hall of Fame, PSDF, - C. Fanello
Clerk -John Voorde
Century Center -Vivian Sallie, Kurt Brown
Common Council -Derek Dieter
Human Rights -Lonnie Douglas
Chairperson LaFountain noted this was the fifth in a series of scheduled hearings to
review department by department their proposed 2010 budgets. The Building
Department represented by Commissioner Chuck Bulot and Finance Officer Becky Neese
walked the committee through their proposed budget line by line. Overall in spite of
fewer revenues due to the economic slump the budget was proposed at 5% lower than
2009. The Mayor interjected that the Building Department is self-supporting through
fees and does not receive any property tax revenue. A handout in the form of a press
release (Attached # 1) provided by the Mayor's Office further delves into the budget
rationale of both the Building Department and Mayor's Office. Mayor Luecke took the
floor to explain his budget cutbacks. The keyword for his staff as it has been for his
department heads is downsizing of staff. In that "city wide" personnel costs account for
80% of the budget this was a necessary albeit expected consequence of HEA 1001-08.
Additionally the Mayor, his staff, and all department heads volunteered to take a 5% pay
cut in 2010. His office also eliminated two take home cars including his own.
This process of finding efficiencies is a continuation of actions began in 2009. After
brief discussion Catherine Fanello presented a number of budgets and funds under the
Controller's umbrella. Fanello began with presentations of the employee health
insurance funds and the City's liability funds. As a result of safe practices, adoption of a
single 80/20 employee insurance plan, and the elimination of a $500 supplement for
employee flexible-spending plans, the city was able to keep insurance premiums without
increases for 2010. A walk through of the Cumulative Capital Development (CCD) fund,
the Cumulative Capital Improvement (CCI) fund and the County Option Income Tax
(COIT) fund followed. Fanello with the Mayor went on to review the Hall of Fame and
Professional Sports Development Funds. Before completing her presentations, Fanello
provided the Council with a summary schedule of the city's long-term debt. This
schedule as well as budget summary sheets for each department and fund are attached.
The Century Center budget presentation was represented by Board Chair Vivian Sallie
and Director Kurt Brown. Revenue projections always speculative are even more so for
Century Center this year due to the economic downturn. Nonetheless, with improved
venues and menus the prognosis for growth in revenues look well founded. The City
Clerk presented his department's budget which reflected an overa113% reduction for
2010 mostly due to reductions in the travel and education and training line items.
Council President Derek Dieter provided a comprehensive review of 2009 Council
Activities as well as the budget proposals for 2010. The Council has pared their budget
for 2010 by 10%. The budget proposals for the Human Rights Commission were
thoroughly outlined by Director Lonnie Douglas and Board President Ray Thomas.
Expenditures reflect a 14% reduction due mostly to staff reduction. This figure is
tempered by an overall reduction of 10% in revenue sources. Chairperson LaFountain
announced there would be an additional hearing at 11:00 a.m., Friday, August 14, 2009 to
revisit the Police, Fire, and Park Department budgets.
There being no further business to come before the committee at this time, Chairperson
LaFountain, adjourned the meeting at 5:35 p.m.
Tom LaFountain, Chairperson
Personnel and Finance Committee