09-28-09 Personnel and Finance - Laserfiche WebLink

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-`, .._ - ~' r~.-- .. ,-. r- '`\~~ ' PERSONNEL AND FINANCE SEPTEMBER 28, 2009 Tom LaFountain, Chairperson, Personnel and Finance Committee called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. Committee Members Present: David Varner, Karen White, Oliver Davis Other Councilmember's Present: Timothy Rouse, Henry Davis, Ann Puzzello, AI "Buddy" Kirsits Other's Present: Mayor Steve Luecke, Chuck Leone, Mary Ann Myers, Tom Price, Gregg Zientara, Jeff Jankowski, Fire Chief Howard Buchanon, John Murphy, Dennis Andres, Lynn Coleman, Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, John Voorde Agenda: Bill No. 60-09 -Levying Taxes Bill No. 61-09 -Appropriating Department Monies Bill No. 62-09 -Appropriating Enterprise Funds Bill No. 63-09 -Teamsters Bill No. 64-09 -Non-Bargaining Employees Bill No. 65-09 -Mayor's Salary Bill No. 66-09 -Clerk's Salary Bill No. 67-09 -Council Salaries Chairperson LaFountain begain the hearings by asking for a motion to accept a substitute Bill No. 60-09. Councilmember White motioned to accept. Councilmember Varner seconded. All agreed. Then Chairperson LaFountain asked for a motion to hear three Bill Nos. 60-09; 61-09 and 62-09 together for purpose of Public Hearing. Councilmember White so motioned, seconded by Chairperson LaFountain. All complied. Chairperson LaFountain then recognized the Mayor who made a brief summary presentation of how the budget process began months ago. He referred to earlier extensive budget sessions at which cuts were made and efficiencies were found to craft a budget nearly $6 million less from the general fund. The lower levy a result of property tax relief dictated by HEA 1001-08. Councilmember Varner spoke first commending the Mayor and Department Heads for working to form a budget delivering services with less. Karen White then asked the Mayor to comment on the difficulty in forming a budget given the unknowns. The Mayor acknowledged the bottom lines were but conservation estimates. Tax distributions had yet to be received from the State for last year and this year's assessed value or tax rate had yet to be certified by the Department of Local Government Finance. Councilmember Varner then spoke again suggesting the money to be appropriated for the College Football Hall of Fame as seen in the Professional Sports Development Fund be removed from the budget. This was in light of the National Football Foundations decision to relocate the Hall to Atlanta by 2011. Councilmember Varner so motioned. Councilmember White supported. There was no dissent. The same approved the budget with the deletion.