HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.04.2002 (5)• •
COUNCIL WORK SESSION
March 4, 2002
6:00 p.m.
Council Chambers
Members present: Mayor Rooff, Berry, Greenwood, Clark, Jordan, Hurley, Getty.
Members absent: Welper.
Moved by Jordan, seconded by Clark that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Six.
Absent: Welper. Motion carried.
Mayor Rooff stated that the published budget sets the levy rate at $19.53 or 12.66 percent
increase in total property taxes collected. The FY02 levy rate is $17.80.
Michelle Weidner, Chief Financial Officer, stated that last Friday evening the council was at a
levy rate of $18.78207, with options that were discussed. Discussions have been held on fees to
be increased and now we are down to making cuts in departments. This levy rate does not
include Layer 3. Mayor Rooff stated the $18.78 levy does not fund any positions not filled in
FY02.
Councilperson Jordan stated he is at a 4 to 5 percent increase. He would like to move the city
forward, but raising taxes is the easy way out. Councilperson Jordan made the following
suggestions:
1. Reduce from 5 days to 4 days work week.
2. He supports Fire Department. We have 30 people on staff each day, and Cedar Falls
has 5, and insurance is as cheap in Cedar Falls. Need to explore personnel.
3. Find ways to do job sharing in Building Inspections. There is an overabundance of
staff.
4. Reduce staff in Parks in winter months.
5. Look at reducing one position in Human Rights.
Councilperson Jordan asked if union contracts allow the city to reduce the number of days from
five days per week to four day per week. Mayor Rooff stated he did not know how we could
furlough public safety. Michelle Weidner, Chief Financial Officer, stated she thinks the council
has the authority to set work hours. Councilperson Jordan stated he would like to look at
privatizing some city services.
Mayor Rooff stated to get to 5 percent, we need to cut 21 positions. Councilperson Clark stated
he would like to look at Layer 3 before any layoffs. Councilperson Clark asked if members of
the bargaining units negotiate salaries, and if we cut hours aren't we circumventing the contract.
Ms. Weidner responded that is a legal question, but it is her understanding administration
controls the hours. Ms. Weidner stated the primary departments, public safety, would not be
impacted much by reducing hours.
Councilperson Berry asked about the number of firefighters in Waterloo versus the number of
firefighters in Cedar Falls. Councilperson Getty stated the way Waterloo's Fire Department is
set up now requires 30 people per shift. Ms. Weidner stated that less firefighters will impact
response time, and Waterloo has more miles of streets than Cedar Falls. Councilperson Jordan
stated he does not buy that, that he is tired of hearing about response time.
Councilperson Jordan stated his biggest concern is if we raise both fees and taxes, such as fire
inspection fees. Councilperson Jordan stated before fees are raised, he would like to investigate
the city's real costs.
Councilperson Clark asked are we thinking about doing the right thing raising taxes to where
services should be. We need to make hard choices, people will rise to the challenge.
Councilperson Jordan stated people want services, but they don't want they city to raise taxes.
There are elderly people whose income does not go up that much who feel they pay enough now.
Council Work Session
March 4, 2002
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Councilperson Hurley stated he has heard that the people do not want to cut services. People on
fixed income say they have learned to do without and wish the city would learn to do that.
Councilperson Getty stated people are telling him they don't want taxes raised, and that the city
should do the same as they do at home, cut. If it means laying off, they are sorry but that it has
to be.
Councilperson Berry stated she has not received many calls, but most of the concern is from the
elderly that garbage fees are going up. People understand the city has to do something.
Councilperson Greenwood stated that he is hearing from both sides. Some say do what is right,
if we need a tax increase for public safety so be it. Others do not want taxes to go up.
Councilperson Greenwood stated maybe the city should look at a motion study to see if we get
$1 of labor for what we pay. Councilperson Greenwood stated there are so many things the city
has no control over such as a decrease in taxes for commercial property, increase health
insurance costs, increase in wages, projected lower Road Use Tax, and other unfunded mandates.
Mayor Rooff commented these are the items he and Ms. Weidner were looking at for an
additional $229,000: $70,000 less revenue for Building Inspection Department, fewer positions,
$10,000 from Leisure Services, $20,000 in utilities, $30,000 from Planning and Zoning, $10,000
from the Mayor's Youth Initiative, and some training.
Discussion was heard on $100,000 contingency fund in the Clerk's Budget. The City Clerk
stated that fund is used for unfunded and emergency items. Councilperson Hurley asked if
reserve funds could be used. Mayor Rooff responded that the city has been trying to build the
cash reserves to save the bond rating. Ms. Weidner stated the reserves are used for cash flow.
Councilperson Hurley asked about the Mayor's Youth Initiative funds. Councilperson Hurley
suggested closing Young Arena during July and August to save approximately $20,000 in
utilities costs. Paul Huting, Leisure Services Director, stated programs have already been
committed for the Black Hawks. Mr. Huting stated it would be difficult to close Young Arena
during summer months as commitments have been made for the arena, and plans have been made
with the figure skaters. Mr. Huting noted that reducing the payroll for part-time employees also
reduces revenue. The Black Hawks keep offices at the Young Arena. Mr. Huting stated that we
have 7-month employees who work in golf and parks who are laid off during the winter months.
There is a full-time construction crew who do carpentry and plumbing work. Golf employees
work on equipment and the Pro Shops.
Council Members reported they were at the following percent of increase in total property taxes
collected:
Greenwood - 6 percent
Berry - 8 percent
Getty - 8 percent
Hurley - 8 percent with attrition and level 3 cuts
Jordan - 5 percent
Clark - 6 percent
With no further business before the council, it was moved by Getty, seconded by Clark that the
meeting be adjourned at 7:16 p.m. Ayes: Six. Absent: Welper. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk