Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.13.2002• COUNCIL WORK SESSION March 13, 2002 8:00 a.m. First Floor Conference Room Members present: Mayor Rooff, Berry, Welper, Greenwood, Clark, Jordan, Hurley, Getty. Moved by Jordan, seconded by Clark that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. Michelle Weidner, Chief Financial Officer, stated at the budget hearing on March 8, 2002 the council adopted a levy rate of $18.37, which means there is $669,709 that need to be cut from the departments' requests to meet that levy. Ms. Weidner stated that the budget forms must be certified to the Black Hawk County Auditor by March 15, 2002. Ms. Weidner stated that any amendments to the FY02 Budget must be completed by May 31, 2002. Mayor Rooff stated that we do not have contracts with the unions so there are still outstanding issues on wages and health insurance. Councilperson Clark asked if we could use a percentage of reduction for each department, and Ms. Weidner responded that would leave the smaller departments short of funding. Mayor Rooff stated we could submit levy rate and then amend it 30 days before June 30. Councilperson Getty stated that it was his understanding that if the council set the levy rate, that Mayor Rooff and Ms. Weidner would work on the budget. Mayor Rooff responded that the proposed increase in the levy rate of 8.4 percent had adjustments, but the levy rate of $18.37 did not have those adjustments. Mayor Rooff stated he does not feel the council can sit here today and decide where the cuts will come from. Mayor Rooff stated Ms. Weidner has distributed a letter inferring cutting the Fire Department and Library and other departments. Ms. Weidner responded these are just suggestions. Mayor Rooff stated that he is not asking Ms. Weidner to make the cuts. Ms. Weidner stated that last year after the levy was set it was left for her to balance the budget. Ms. Weidner stated that the council came up with suggestions, and she just prepared the letter to get ideas from the council. Councilperson Jordan stated that there is a lot of gossip regarding elimination of firefighter positions. Councilperson Jordan stated he does not think he suggested shutting down a fire station. He received calls from four firefighter stating that it has been said that he wants to shut down a fire station, and he is tired of being undermined. Councilperson Jordan stated he answers to the citizens, not employees. Ned DeBerg, Fire Chief, asked how many firefighters will be budgeted in the Fire Department, and then he can make a decision. Councilperson Clark stated he is getting the same comments from the Police Department. Mayor Rooff stated he thinks there is two months of work left before we finish the budget, and we can't make these cuts without meeting for hours. Councilperson Getty stated he has the budget reductions dated March 6, 2002 along with the comparison sheet dated March 6, 2002, and he would like to discuss these forms and what we need to get to the $18.37 levy. Mayor Rooff asked that Ms. Weidner contact the Office of Management so that we have a better idea of when the budget needs to be finalized. Mayor Rooff stated he believes the FY03 Budget will have to be amended, but he would like to ask the state what needs to be done now. Mayor Rooff stated the council has set the policy for the levy and now they will have to set the policy on the budget. Council Work Session March 13, 2002 Page 2 Councilperson Greenwood asked if we have asked departments for suggestions. Councilperson Hurley stated that Department Heads have submitted impacts on their budgets if there are further reductions. Mayor Rooff stated that citizens have stated they want a strong public safety. Mayor Rooff stated he would like to meet with the Met Board to see if we have to increase their budget the entire $172,000. Mayor Rooff stated he would like to work with the Met Board to see if services could be provided more economically. Mayor Rooff stated he would like to talk with public safety and other departments, but he does not believe it can be done by Friday. Councilperson Getty stated the council needs new figures as the 8.4 percent increase from last year's levy rate leaves the Fire and Police Departments at last year's figures. The council talked with Steve Ford from the Department of Budget Management through a telephone conference call. Mr. Ford stated that expenditures on major programs cannot exceed the published budget. Mr. Ford stated that the budget must be certified by March 15. Mayor Rooff asked if the budget is certified across the board in the General Fund, can the budget be amended once adjustments are determined. Mr. Ford responded that as long as expenditures do not exceed the levy, amendments can be made without a public hearing. Cities are required by statute to budget by major programs, but funding within these programs can be moved around without a public hearing. Cities need total expenditures and a total levy. Mr. Ford stated the most important form when certifying the budget is the Adopted Budget Summary. The Adopted Budget Summary is by fund type which rolls those expenditures into programs. These are fund type estimates within the programs. Mr. Ford stated that property taxes are fixed by the levy, but the city can continue discussion on funding in each program. Mr. Ford stated the city cannot take any formal action on amendments of the FY03 Budget until we are actually into the budget year, but after July 1, 2002, amendments can be made within the programs through the amendment process. Councilperson Clark asked if the city could certify the budget without being balanced, could expenses exceed the levy. Mr. Ford responded these are estimates, this is a framework and the city works in that framework. Mr. Ford stated if the city exceeds the levy under one of the major programs, a public hearing must be held. Mayor Rooff thanked Mr. Ford and continued with the work session. Mayor Rooff stated he will continue to work on the budget and update the council weekly. Mayor Rooff stated it is his understanding the council would rather cut programs than personnel, and the majority wants to maintain public safety and provide funding to Met Transit. Councilperson Hurley stated that at the public hearing on Friday night the council agreed to fund Met Transit, but that was at the 8.4 percent increase. Councilperson Hurley stated now that the levy has been set at a 6 percent increase, he is thinking differently. Councilperson Greenwood echoed Councilperson Hurley's comments. Councilperson Getty stated he would have a problem cutting Met Transit. Councilperson Getty stated he would like to see the funding requested by Met, and a list of services to be cut. Mayor Rooff stated he will work with the departments and bring back the final decision to the council. Councilperson Clark stated he does not want to approve Met Transit's request, but maybe at 50 percent. Councilperson Clark stated that citywide he has been opposed to layoffs, but he is not opposed to attrition through retirements and promotions. Councilperson Hurley stated he has ideas to reduce the budget $310,000 without cuts. Council Work Session March 13, 2002 Page 3 • • Mayor Rooff stated it is important to get comments from the council and work with staff. Mayor Rooff stated it is important everyone participates, but we need one central source to put the information together. Councilperson Hurley stated he supports the Chief Financial Officer. Councilperson Hurley stated this has been an unbelievable process, we are all fatigued. Councilperson Hurley stated Ms. Weidner has supplied the council information as requested. Councilperson Hurley stated he would be very disappointed if there were negative repercussions to Ms. Weidner, and we must remember we are all in this together. Mayor Rooff responded there will be no negative repercussions, that we have quality people here at the city. With no further business before the council, it was moved by Getty, seconded by Berry that the meeting be adjourned at 9:03 a.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. Nancy Eckert City Clerk