HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.13.2003 (2)COUNCIL WORK SESSION
February 13, 2003
8:30 a.m.
Council Chambers
Members present: Kincaid, Welper, Clark, Jordan, Hurley, Getty.
Members absent: Greenwood.
Moved by Jordan, seconded by Welper that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Six.
Absent: Greenwood. Motion carried.
Council Members met to discuss the FY04 Budget focusing on departments that are funded using
Road Use Tax Funds.
Michelle Weidner, Chief Financial Officer, presented the Road Use Tax Fund Analysis which
includes budgets for Traffic Operations, Engineering and Street Maintenance and the estimate
from the State of Iowa of Road Use Tax funds to be received by the city.
The Engineering Department has no changes to its budget for FY04. The Engineering
Department has a special bridge inspection program which must be budgeted every other year.
The Traffic Street Lights budget is anticipating higher utilities for FY04. The Traffic Signals
Energy budget is anticipating lower utilities due to the LEDs.
The Traffic Operations budget has a net request of $968,000.00 because Mayor Rooff is
recommending to increase this budget for a full-time secretary. Currently, the Traffic Operations
budget includes one half-time clerical person, who also works half-time for Central Garage.
The Street Maintenance Budget was reviewed. Under a lease/purchase program with John Deere
in 1995, ten pieces of equipment were purchased and will be paid off during FY03 and FY04.
The Street Department is requesting replacement equipment through bonding. Mayor Rooff is
recommending that the equipment be purchased using Road Use Tax, which still allows current
staff levels. Mayor Rooff is recommending the two vacant Equipment Operators positions in the
Street Department not be filled because of funds. This will keep expenses equal with revenues.
Councilperson Getty asked if not replacing the two vacant positions will increase overtime costs.
Steve Decker, Superintendent of Streets, responded that it does not increase overtime, but
reduces maintenance. Councilperson Getty stated he has a problem cutting the two positions
with maintenance falling off as all the other departments were allowed to fill positions. Ms.
Weidner responded that 20 positions have been eliminated in the past two years. Councilperson
Getty stated as you drive around town, you can see the Street Department is not fully staffed.
Mr. Decker stated that 30 percent of his people have been laid off in the last three years, which
means the streets are not swept as often and pot holes are not being filled as quickly. Mr. Decker
stated some of his equipment is 20 years old and needs to be replaced.
Councilperson Hurley stated the city just committed to the Storm Water Plan to sweep the
streets. Mr. Decker reported that the streets are currently swept about three times per year. Eric
Thorson, City Engineer, stated that the Storm Water Plan commits the city to sweeping the
streets a minimum of three times per year. Mr. Thorson stated he encourages the Engineering
Techs to get their CDL license and training on the snowplows. Six Techs have volunteered to
help with snowplowing. The first eight hours worked by the Techs plowing snow is paid out of
the Engineering Department budget with overtime applied to the Street Department budget.
Ms. Weidner stated that Mr. Decker has requested $450,000.00 for the lease/purchase payment
and the purchase of new equipment. If two positions are added to the FY04 Budget, it will make
it harder to plan the FY05 and FY06 Budgets. Ms. Weidner stated if the RUT declines, it would
be hard to keep these two additional positions in the budget.
Ms. Weidner explained the Transfers in. The Engineering Department provides flood control
and the Sewer Fund reimburses the Road Use Tax budgets $50,000.00, and $450,000.00 of Local
Council Work Session
February 13, 2003
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Option Tax Funds are transferred into the Road Use Tax budgets because the Street Department
provides services for the seal coating program. The Sanitation Department pays $185,000.000
for street sweeping.
The following transfers out are made. Central Garage is reimbursed $200,000.00 because of
maintenance of all the vehicles, $575,000.00 is transferred out of the Local Option Tax Fund to
the Parks Department because they do all of the street right-of-way mowing, and $7,500.00 is
transferred out to the Personnel Department.
Ms. Weidner explained that it looks like the Road Use Tax Funds received by the city for FY03
will be $5.4 million instead of the projected $5.2 million, with an estimated cash balance of
$717,826.00.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by Jordan, seconded by Welper that
the meeting be adjourned at 9:16 a.m. Ayes: Six. Absent: Greenwood. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk