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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.07.2005• • COUNCIL WORK SESSION March 7, 2005 4:00 p.m. Council Chambers Members present: Mayor Hurley, Kincaid, Cole, Greenwood, Clark, Schmitt, Welper. Members absent: Gunderson. Moved by Welper, seconded by Kincaid that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Six. Absent: Gunderson. Motion carried. The purpose of the work session was to discuss the proposed FY06 Budget. Mayor Hurley reviewed his suggested adjustments to the General Fund Budget. Mayor Hurley reported on his suggestion to reduce non -bargaining salary increases by $90,000.00. Mayor Hurley reported he received feedback from the council and department heads concerning the reduction. Mayor Hurley stated he discovered since the last work session that if he only reduced the general fund by $90,000.00 it would only allow a 1 percent salary increase for non - bargaining employees. Mayor Hurley stated during today's department head meeting he presented suggested reductions to general fund departments' budgets which would reduce the general fund budget by $107,713.00. In addition, he reduced the Mayor and Council's budgets which brought the total amount to a little over $108,000.00. Mayor Hurley stated by Thursday's budget hearing the tax levy could be a penny or so below the published $19.31867 levy rate. Mayor Hurley reviewed the reductions necessary to reach $108,000.00. Tom Jennings, Police Chief, reported that the reduction to his proposed budget would mean having five less police officers on June 30, 2005. Chief Jennings noted that he would meet the reduction by not filling one vacant position and four positions which will be vacant due to retirements. Mayor Hurley noted that we are not eliminating the positions, but we will not immediately fill them as they become vacant. Michelle Weidner, Chief Financial Officer, noted that two of the five positions will not be vacant until May. Ned DeBerg, Fire Chief, reported that the reduction to the Fire Department's proposed budget by $199,000.00 would mean not filling seven positions which will become vacant, with two positions vacant this year and five next year. The additional reduction to his budget will mean one more position. Chief DeBerg stated he is looking at revenues and hopes to increase ambulance fees and look at the self -inspection program. Michelle Weidner, Chief Financial Officer, reviewed the FYE2005 Amended and FYE2006 Proposed Budget Comparison spread sheet. Councilperson Cole asked what does the loss of eight positions mean for the Fire Department. Chief DeBerg responded that the Fire Department averages 1.46 people off per day. Chief DeBerg stated if nine positions are not filled immediately, it will mean out of the 184 days between July and December an engine will be out of service for 165 days; if six positions are not filled immediately an engine will be out of service 153 days out of 184 days; if three positions are not filled immediately, an engine will be out of service 25 days out of 184 days. Chief DeBerg noted that the Fire Department's proposed overtime line item is the same as last year, and it was reduced the last two or three years. Chief DeBerg stated the success of lower overtime is due to the number of shifts this year. Chief DeBerg stated that with the light winters, the cost of the department's natural gas has been down. Councilperson Welper asked what eliminating eight positions from the Fire Department would do to the response time and residential insurance costs. Chief DeBerg responded he is waiting to hear from the ISO, but he has been told the city will retain the 3 rating. Chief DeBerg stated the reduction in staff would affect response time. Chief DeBerg reviewed the fire alarm fees. Councilperson Greenwood asked about the utility excess levy. Ms. Weidner responded that the Iowa Legislators phased out and changed the utility excess tax. Discussion was heard on the Council Work Session March 7, 2005 Page 2 franchise agreement with MidAmerican which expires in 2008. Councilperson 1 reenwood stated he feels when we renew the franchise agreement with MidAmerican Energy the city needs to look at a franchise fee. Ms. Weidner stated she thought the Iowa Legislators were 1 oking at a bill to prohibit cities from creating a fee for utilities. Mayor Hurley reported his current adjustments includes a small amount of fundi g for the Mayor's Youth Initiative and KBBG. Councilperson Schmitt suggested that on days when the Fire Department has reduce a staff that inspectors be pulled off those duties and perform the firemen's duties and that other d: partments staff could be trained to do the rental and life safety inspections. Chief DeBerg resp +nded that since the basis of the Fire Depai tiiient is to respond to emergency calls, cuts will ha e to come from inspection, eliminating the maintenance position, and they are looking at all p s ssibilities. Chief DeBerg stated that when assessing the Fire Department's budget, the first prio ty will be emergency services. Ms. Weidner reported the employee benefits levy has not been recomputed and it wa based on the first request, so that levy will be lower when the budget is presented at Thursday's eeting. With no further business before the council, it was moved by Welper, seconded by S a hmitt that the meeting be adjourned at 4:37 p.m. Ayes: Six. Absent: Gunderson. Motion carrie s Nancy Eckert City Clerk • •