09-22-08 Personnel and Finance - Laserfiche WebLink

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PERSONNEL AND FINANCE SEPTEMBER 22, 2008 Committee Members Present: Tom LaFountain, Chairperson; Oliver J. Davis; David Varner, Vice-Chairperson; AI "Buddy" Kirsits Other Council Member's Present: Derek D. Dieter, Henry Davis, Jr.; Ann Puzzello; Karen L. White; Timothy A. Rouse Others Present: Catherine Fanello; Phil St. Clair; Mayor Stephen Luecke; Mary Ann Myers; Dennis Andres, Chuck Leone Agenda: BILL N0.58-08 - Levy BILL N0.59-08 -Appropriation BILL NO. 60-08 -Enterprise Funds Tom LaFountain, Chairperson, at the city administration's request combined the three budget bills on the agenda into one hearing after which separate votes would be taken on each bill. Mayor Luecke thanked Council Member LaFountain's committee for all their hard work reviewing the budget. The Mayor described the budget as a baseline budget allowing the City to provide services at the same level as 2008. President Rouse stated he was troubled by the dollar commitments in the public safety wage packages as well as the proposed 2% wage increase for all employees. He felt a one-time bonus would be better than the compounding commitments. Mayor Luecke stated that even in fight of the void of financial estimates from the county or tax distribution projections from the state he felt confident'09.obligations could be met. He indicated the '09 budget was only $263,000 higher than the 08' budget. Catherine Fanello described the city facing a "financial Armageddon" if worst case scenarios came to fruition or new revenue sources were crated. On successive 1St by Council Member David Varner followed by Council Member AI "Buddy" Kirsits' second all three bills were sent to the full Council favorably. BILL N0.08-88 -SCRAP/JUNK DEALERS LICENSES Called upon by Chairperson Tom LaFountain, the City's Licensing Director, Chuck Clark reported that 7 firms applied for licenses. Of the seven five were renewals and two were new. All had passed the requisite inspections of the various city departments. AI Kirsits asked if one of the new applicants Omni-Source was actually the former Sturgis Co., which had filed for bankruptcy. It was learned Sturgis' South Bend operation was sold to Omni- Source and no longer had ties to Sturgis. On Council Member David Varner's motion and Council Member Oliver J. Davis' seconded the bill was sent to full Council favorably. MISCELLANEOUS Council Member Henry Davis, Jr., asked the Mayor to explain the hiring freeze. Mayor Luecke explained positions deemed critical for public safety or continued provision of services could be filled with the approval of the Mayor and Controller.