11-10-08 Personnel and Finance Committee

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PERSONNEL AND FINANCE NOVEMBER 10. 2008 Committee Members Present: Tom LaFountain, Chairperson; David Varner, Vice-Chairperson; Oliver Davis; AI "Buddy" Kirsits Other Present: Henry Davis, Jr.; Ann Puzzello; Karen White; Timothy Rouse; Mayor Steve Luecke; Catherine Fanello; Jamie Loo; Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand; Gary Gilot; Phil St. Clair AGENDA: JOINT HEARING 3 BILLS: FUN Chairman LaFountain asked City Controller Catherine Fanello to make a presentation. The City Controller explained there were no new changes since the last public hearing of the city's '09 baseline budget. She once again explained the difficulty to projecting revenue available when property tax rates for'07 pay'08 have yet to be certified by the state. Tax bills and tax distribution to units of government will not happen until early next year. Then '08 pay '09 assessed values and subsequent rates need to be certified. Until money is received tax anticipation warrants will continue to be relied upon at considerable interest cost the taxpayers. Karen White wanted to confirm the '09 pay increases for city employees of 2°l0 only applied to contractual obligations for public safety employees. Non-Bargaining employees will not receive raises. Henry Davis, Jr. expressed dismay at not having real numbers from the state while asking Fanello for regular financial updates. Karen concurred emphasizing the council's work was not over with votes on these bills, but was just beginning. Karen along with Dave Varner then asked the Controller whether any funds appropriated in '08 were unspent and available for use in '09. Catherine Fanello indicated this was how monies for capital projects were found in the past. This could be the case again in '09. Councilmember Varner made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Kirsits to send Bil{ Nos. 58- 08; 59-08 and 60-08 to full Council favorably.