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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.23.2002• • COUNCIL WORK SESSION February 23, 2002 8:00 a.m. First Floor Conference Room Members present: Mayor Rooff, Berry, Welper, Clark, Hurley, Greenwood. Members absent: Jordan, Getty. Moved by Berry, seconded by Hurley that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Four. Absent: Jordan, Getty, Greenwood. Motion carried. The council reviewed property tax changes at proposed rates. Greenwood now present at 8:12 a.m. Golf fees were discussed. If the daily fee is increased $1, the city general fund will be increased by approximately $57,741. The council reviewed the financial analysis of the Sewer Fund. The estimated FY02 operating cash in the Sewer Fund is $186,668. The state auditor has recommended that there must be $450,000 balance in operating cash. The requirements of the Sewer Revenue Bonds were reviewed. Reviewed the Improvements Cash of which $500,000 has been budgeted each year for maintenance of the new facility. The local option tax can only be used for storm sewer improvements on new and reconstructed streets. The council discussed how to meet the $450,000 requirement. The FY02 Budget is on target, but an increase of $200,000 is needed for June 30, 2002 as the revenue line item was increased, but the sewer fees were not increased as planned. The council discussed increasing the flow rate from $1.40 to $1.68 and dropping first ccf allowance from three to two, which would raise an additional $383,409 in the flow rate and $273,864 in reducing allowed ccf from three to two. The Police Department Impact Statement was reviewed. The Police Department was asked to reduce their proposed FY03 Budget by $846,771, which in addition to previous cuts would amount to $1,028,900 because of outside funding. Discussed the number of officers in Waterloo compared to the number of officers in Cedar Falls. Waterloo Police Department responds to 60 percent of calls for service in the metro area. If cuts are approved, the city would have 96 sworn officers which would be the same number of officers in 1965. The School District has committed to the DARE Program for one more year. It takes about 260 days from the time a police officer position is vacant to the time a new officer is prepared to be on the streets. Mutual aid was discussed. The possibility of Homeland Security funding was discussed. The Street Crime Unit was reviewed. Discussed reduction of staff and programs. Discussed no promotions and the affect on supervision. Discussed turnover and training and overtime for court appearances. Mayor Rooff commented that the council has to be responsive to how cuts will effect each department. The council reviewed the Hazardous Materials Regional Training Center. Federal dollars built the training center, and no tax dollars are being used to fund the center. The Fire Chief's position is not included in the FY02 and FY03 Budgets for the center. Discussed the need for a marketing plan. Off shift firemen operate the center and receive 11/2 their hourly wage. Greenwood now absent at 10:00 a.m. Councilperson Hurley made the following suggestions for the Airport Budget: Leave Waterloo Fire Rescue in place at the Airport, hire an Airport Director, maintenance directives should be under the Building Official//Maintenance Administrator, revenues for the airport are too optimistic, and proposed a half time administrative secretary. The Chief Financial Officer stated that the proposed revenues for FY03 Airport Budget will not be met and need to be reduced. The General Fund may have to subsidize the Airport Budget by $100,000. Mayor Rooff stated that the Waterloo Airport is critical to economic development. The Cultural & Arts Commission Budget was reviewed. Council Work Session February 23, 2002 Page 2 • • The council recessed at 10:35 a.m. The council reconvened at 10:55 a.m. Councilperson Greenwood now present at 10:55 a.m. Councilperson Hurley asked what would be saved by freezing non -bargaining positions, and the Chief Financial Officer responded $125,000 would be saved. Discussion was heard on no increases in salary for non -bargaining employees. Most non -bargaining positions are hired at the bottom of the salary range, and non -bargaining employees receive no step increases. The council discussed a proposed General Fund levy to be published in the Waterloo Courier on February 26, 2002 for the Budget Hearing on March 8, 2002. Setting the levy at $19.53695 would be an increase of 12.23 percent, with actual 8 percent increase for property owners. The $19.53 levy has reduced proposed revenues for Building Inspection, Airport, and Human Rights Commission. It includes no increase or cuts in staff, and leaves out 19 requested positions in the General Fund. Councilperson Hurley agreed to publishing the $19.53 levy as it just maintains city department head's spending. Councilperson Clark agreed to the $19.53 levy as it contains no increases in staff and no reduction in services. Councilperson Welper agreed to the $19.53 levy. Councilperson Berry agreed to the $19.53 levy and suggested that Department Heads be allotted an amount and let them make decisions on where the money is spent. Councilperson Greenwood agreed with publishing the $19.53 levy. Councilperson Hurley stated that the building and assets are hurting and management staff are underpaid. Mayor Rooff commented that there have been no major increases in the tax base for the past fifteen years. Mayor Rooff stated that the council can publish the $19.53 levy rate, but then must look at fees and the levy. Items that should be discussed include: employee cuts, fee increases, bonding of items, CIP, and services and programs. A final decision will have to be made on the levy. Mayor Rooff stated he would like the council to lower $19.53 levy. Greenwood reviewed the following items included in the $19.53 levy: Amount Item Proposed Levy $600,000 Bond for Retirements $ .40 $800,000 Increase in Health Insurance Costs $ .54 $900,000 Increase in Salary Costs $ .60 $100,000 Increase in Dispatch Costs $ .07 $520,000 Removing Sale of Property Not Budgeted $ .35 Decrease In Revenues: $ 70,000 Building Inspections $ .05 $103,000 Airport $ .07 $117,408 Monthly Parking $ .08 $ 50,000 Human Rights $ .03 Current Levy Total Required Levy $600,000 Bond for Retirements -400,000 FY02 Budget $200,000 FY03 Budget $17.80 $19.99 Council Work Session February 23, 2002 Page 3 • • Proposed Additional Revenue $ 45,000 Monthly Parking $172,000 Sanitation Fees $ 57,000 Golf Additional revenues from proposed fee increases would generate .63 which would reduce the $19.99 levy to $19.36 The city's portion of taxes would increase 8 percent if we use the $19.53 levy. It was the consensus of the council that the levy be published at $19.53. The Chief Financial Officer will spread the levy amount the departments removing the 19 positions. The council will meet next Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 4:00 p.m. and Saturday at 8:00 a.m. With no further business before the council, it was moved by Hurley, seconded by Clark that the meeting be adjourned at 12:10 p.m. Ayes: Five. Absent: Jordan, Getty. Motion carried. Nancy Eckert City Clerk