08-27-03 Personnel & Finance - Laserfiche WebLink

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Personnel and Finance Committee August 27, 2003 Page 5 anticipate that General Fund monies will be needed like the$800,000 which was need last year. 2004 Building Department 2003 Expenditures $ 1,177,565 Fund # 600 2004 Expenditures $ 1,277,893 2003 Revenue $ 1,096,815 2004 Revenue $ 1,320,103 Building Commissioner Don Fozo and Becky Neese joined the meeting to review the replacement pages detailing the Building Department budget for 2004. Mr. Fozo stated that they are in their 3rd year of paying off the office space agreement with St. Joseph County. The County has agreed to accept $10,000 for maintenance and utilities for next year. He noted that they have a vehicle rotation schedule which takes place every four(4) years. They plan to monitor permit fees with this area being "very poor"and showing a$70,000 deficit. Things have picked up the last two (2) months and if this trend continues should show a $2,500 profit by the end of the year. Mr. Fozo added that fee increase may be needed which he would take back to the home builders. Council Member Pfeifer inquired whether the Building Department has enough inspectors. Mr. Fozo stated that they do as they are currently structured. However, if he could add a position it would be as a result of the new zoning ordinance. Several duties would be shifted to the Building Department if the ordinance is passed as proposed. Mr. Fozo noted that during the Summer the staff is pushed to the limit. Mr. Fozo noted that the proposed zoning ordinance will put an extra burden ont he Building Department. Council Member Pfeifer inquired about apartment usage of properties which are zoned "A" Residential. Mr. Fozo stated that if they are notified of such usage, that they follow up since a permit is required. Council Member King noted that the proposed zoning code would be unveiled on September 18th to the Council, the Area Plan Commission and the Board of Zoning Appeals. He noted that it will require more to be done at the pre-planning stage. There are certain expectations which recognize that more state will be needed to review the designs. Council Member King stated that he is surprised that another person has not been added to the Building Department budget. He noted that the St. Joseph County zoning ordinance will be rewritten last year and will be similar to the one proposed for South Bend. Council Member King stated that"it is senseless to put a new ordinance in effect if there will not be enough staff to implement it". He continued that "we are fooling ourselves int believing that it can be done with current staffing levels, especially with the new County ordinance being proposed also". He noted that builders would like "wide-open development". Council Member King noted that to not plan for proper staff for implementation, makes absolutely no sense,noting that the budget should reflect what you are going to do. Tom Skarbek,Director of Budgeting&Financial Reporting, noted that if there are additional costs that you must find new forms of revenue to pay for such costs. He noted that fees will have to be increased or general fund money transfers will be necessary to address any additional costs.