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PERSONNEL&FINANCE SEPTEMBER 8,2015 5:00 P.M. <br /> Committee Members Present: Karen White,Valerie Schey(AB), Derek Dieter(AB), <br /> Dr. Fred Ferlic <br /> Citizen Members Present: Valerie Mora-Kraus(AB), Charnelle Mayfield-Martin (AB) <br /> Other Council Present: Tim Scott, Henry Davis Jr. (5:28), Dr. David Varner(AB), <br /> Oliver Davis(AB), Gavin Ferlic (XAB) <br /> Others Present: Randy Wilkerson, Chuck Bulot, Brian Pawlowski,Jack Smith, <br /> Kathy Cekanski-Farrand, Becky Kaiser,Jim Lopez,Cecil Eastman, <br /> John Murphy,Jennifer Hockenhull, Regina Preston, <br /> Seema Timble, Matt Harmon, Marlaina Johns,Steve Cox, <br /> Ted Skwarkan, Freddy Rodriguez, Santiago Garces,John Corthier <br /> Agenda: 2016 Budget Review <br /> - Code Enforcement <br /> - Building Department <br /> - South Bend Fire Department <br /> Karen White, Chair of Personnel & Finance Committee, opened budget session#6 as scheduled even <br /> though only two members of her committee and two other Councilmembers were present. Of the five <br /> absent only Gavin Ferlic had an excused absence. The two citizen members were also absent. <br /> Karen reiterated,for everyone present,the hearing protocols. The presentations for each department <br /> would be made by the respective department head. Council questions would follow,then citizens <br /> would have the same opportunity. Additional questions could be submitted for answers at a later <br /> session. <br /> At Karen's request Chuck Bulot, Commissioner of the joint City/County Building Department made his <br /> presentation. Using an overhead and supplemental handout(attached)Chuck began by describing the <br /> department vision before moving to the budget summary. Significantly, he said the 2014 deficit had <br /> been turned to a $344 thousand profit. This was accomplished, he said, by strict monitoring of <br /> expenses, by using more fuel efficient vehicles, and by restructuring made possible by cross training. <br /> One area of concern was a deficit in single permits,the inspection cost not covering the fee. He said he <br /> plans to ask the Council to boost the fee. <br /> Dr. Ferlic asked Chuck to elaborate. According to Chuck the single permit fee should be raised from $30 <br /> to$40. Further explanation of the $344 thousand surplus was attributed to a recovering economy <br /> prompting multiple significant construction projects. <br /> Tim Scott applauded the cost reduction efforts and offered tacit support for a single permit fee increase. <br /> He also suggested Chuck refine economic projections to better forecast revenue. <br /> Karen White asked if there would be any staff increase,Chuck said FTE's would remain the constant. <br /> 1 <br />