08-16-17 Personnel and Finance (Overview)

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I Department of Community Investment has spent much time in figuring out a major South Shore relocation project as well as continuing to fund the facade improvement initiative. Parks and Recreation is entering a new chapter with the investment of the My SB Parks and Trails Plan. We are also proud of the process. The Council asked us to make sure there is more public inclusion. There have been extensive public meetings, consultative and deliberative processes in order to put together the plan that you will hear about in detail when the time comes. We've also heard the Council's call for stronger residential development, affordability, lighting, and vacant/abandoned home improvements and we hope we see those reflected in our budget as it touches neighborhoods. Whether it is new housing construction, rehabilitation, traffic calming or infrastructure, we want to make sure we are supporting our neighborhoods as a whole through the NRC. We are also thinking the City can continue to provide resources that will enhance the safety of railroad crossings. We want them to be safe and we want them to be quiet. There are streetscape improvements coming to Lincoln Way and Charles Martin Streets and there is continued full funding for the curb and sidewalk program. In the past, there has been a bit of a last-minute rush to find the funding for this but we took a deep breath and figured out a way to include it right away in the first draft of the budget at full funding, knowing this continues to be a priority for the Council. The energy savings contracts and green storm water improvements are ways in which we are trying to find a less costly way of meeting our goals. The Fire Department has a dual-credit program that is self-funded, but it still has to pass through the budget. We are increasing our fiber access but there was some concern about the access for low-income youth which is why we wanted to enhance the youth scholarship fund to the tune of$75,000. We have a lot of internal goals as well. We are continuing to support diversity and inclusion efforts as well as employee engagement. The LEAD Program is making sure of this as we want to be the ones that lead by example. We are also consolidating how many City Purchasers we employ. We are preparing ourselves for the fiscal curb and year by year we have been positioning ourselves to be ready for it. Income tax revenue rose sharply in 2017 over 2016. I was really hoping that would happen this year too but it does not look like that will happen but we are certainly grateful it is moving in the right direction. Utilities and Public Safety accounts for the majority of what the City provides. The balance is expended on economic development,neighborhoods, internal funds and then salaries. We are projected to have one thousand one-hundred and fifteen(1,115) full-time employees. A few changes reflected in that number is in our taking on of the Historic Preservation Committee. That should be neutral as we will be getting the funds and the people so it is not a net increase in spending and we do think it is a good partnership with the County. We are also converting a part-time position to a full-time position at the 311 Call Center. In summary, we are trying to keep the City's finances in good order. We are proud of our strong bond rating and are working hard to keep it that way. We are operating at approximately$358 million of expenses which is down from last year. We are continuing to toe the line on spending in order to remain responsible for the road ahead while doing everything we can to meet the priorities that we share for the community. Committee Chair White thanked Mayor Pete for his presentation and asked the fellow Committee and Councilmembers to take some time to look at the overview presentations and identify questions. Council President Scott inquired to receive the next budgets three (3) days prior to their budget presentation. 4