COMMITTEE:            Finance Committee

 

DATE:                        July 8, 2004

 

TIME:                        5:30 p.m.

 

MEMBERS

PRESENT:                 Hermes, Melhorn, Plese,

 

ABSENT:                   Cox

 

NON-MEMBERS

PRESENT:                 Alderman Brown, Alderman Kasalko, Alderman Strong, City Finance Administrator Nick Narducci, Mayor McGann, Executive Secretary Puracchio, Finance Clerk Jusell, Reporter Smith and Reporter Monson

 

DISCUSSION:            Proposed Budget Discussion

 

ACTION:                   Alderman Plese made a motion and Alderman Hermes seconded to open discussions at 5:37 p.m. All yes. Motion passed.

 

                                    Nick Narducci distributed the proposed draft budget.  He stated that the City is in healthy financial shape.

 

                                    One of the City’s big financial issues was the closing of the landfill.  Nick recommended the City get it closed now and pay for it through a bond issuance.  The bond cap is $375,000 without a referendum. The City would be able to pay for it over 10-20 years.

 

                                    The dam issue is something that needs to be discussed in further detail along with Capital Improvement at a later date.

 

                                    Department Heads were asked to give their input on their Department budgets. 

                                   

POLICE:                    Chief Metta asked for an increase for another officer(includes salary only) $33,000., part-time salary increases $3,000., overtime $25,000., legal fees


$10,000, maintenance & equipment $30,000., vehicle maintenance $4,500., training expenses $15,000., uniforms $6,950, totaling $110,450.

 

BUILDING:               Gary Tate asked to change Computer Programming Fees to $600., the Council had already approved his software program purchase.

 

ESDA:                        Alderman Brown stated that ESDA has submitted a request to purchase badly needed scuba equipment at the cost of $1,890.00 He will be making a motion on it at the next Council Meeting.

 

HEALTH &

SAFETY:                    Garbage is in a separate fund and should be paid for through residential user fees not property taxes.

                                    Nick wasn’t sure if the dam issue should be placed here.  He stated that the attorney and insurance agent are looking into reducing the liability insurance issue.

 

BUILDINGS &

GROUNDS:               Alderman Melhorn asked that the City Civic Center, run by the Lions Club, be designated as a cooling building.  He has received an estimate for $4,200. to equip and install a central air system.  He also feels that the building would be used more often if it was air-conditioned.

 

                                    The grant expenditures need to be increased to $30,000 due to the Northcrest Park project.

 

                                    The Police Department is in need of a generator.  Alderman Plese stated that he believes that a generator is included in the JADA agreement and he will pursue this issue.

 

PLANNING:              Donna Jusell stated that she took the high case scenario and budgeted for a meeting for every month.

 

FINANCE:                 Nick stated that the legal fees were being reduced in consideration for developers and other users footing the legal fees.

 

                                    Sue Johnston asked for seasonal help during August and September at $8.00 an hour-approximately $3,000 total.

 

                                    The final costs on computer system were not budgeted.

 

STREETS &

ALLEYS:                    Alderman Strong stated that School Street has to get tarred & chipped so put the $12,000 line item back in on Street Maintenance.

 

                                    The Committee discussed the feasibility of bidding out certain projects like sidewalks.  The reasoning behind this was the sidewalk contractor could get the job done more efficiently freeing the City Crew to do what they are good at doing.

 

WATER &

SEWER:                     Under Water: Ken Jeffries asked for a 2 line stop machine at a cost of $41,000. for a pair. 

 

                                    The water tower in the downtown area has to be removed and needs to increase the budget line item by $50,000.  Rental of equipment needs to increase to $2,500. to cover all rentals.  He also asked for a $2,000 increase on new meters due to the compound meters added to the schools and Embassy Care.

 

                                    Under Sewer: Ken asked for $2,000. addition to equipment rental and $6,000. added for equipment purchases.  Consulting fees are for the lobbyist an actual pay out will be when Federal grant monies are received.  The lobbying fees will come to $97,500. Ken also question employees health/life insurance, line item 6380.  Was this a double entry?

 

DISCUSSION:            Adjourn

 

ACTION:                   Nick thanked the Department Heads for their input and asked the Aldermen to read over budget and get back to him with any suggestions by July 16th.

 

Alderman Plese made a motion and Alderman Hermes seconded to adjourn at 7:18 p.m. All yes. Motion passed.

                                                                                                                                                                                                           

 

_______________________

                                                                                                Jay Plese