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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBudget Minutes - May 1, 2006CITY OF CENTRAL POINT 2006/2007 BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES May 1, 2006 1. INTRODUCTION OF MEMBERS Members present were: Council Members: Mayor Hank Williams, Dick Halley, Bruce Dingler, Becca Croft, Kay Harrison, and Mike Quilty. Citizen flAembers: LeRoy Burkhart, Walter Moczygemba, Randy Sparacino, Bill Stults, Duane Christensen, and Karen Huckins. City Staff: Phil Messina, City Administrator; Jill Turner, Finance Director; Lois DeBenedetti, Building Official; Jon Zeliff, Police Chief; Bob Pierce, Public Works Director; Tom Humphrey, community Development Director; Bev Adams, Accounting Specialist; and Deanna Gregory, City Recorder. ll. ELECTION OF BUDGET COMMITTEE CHAIR Last year's Committee Chairperson, Kay Harrison opened the floor for nominations of a Chairperson and Vice-Chair for the 2006/2007 Budget Committee. Kay Harrison nominated Bill Stults as the Budget Committee Chair. Karen Huckins seconded. All said aye, motion was unanimously approved. Hank William`s nominated Walter Moczygemba as Vice Chair. Dick Halley seconded. All said aye, motion was unanimously approved. III. ESTABLISHMENT OF PERTINENT RULES FOR DISCUSSION This item was inadvertently missed. IV. PRESENTATION OF PROPOSED BUDGET DOCUMENT BY BUDGET OFFICIAL City Administrator Phil Messina explained that this year's budget theme is "Status Quo: Preserving the Existing State of Affairs". He then proceeded to explain the slow down in dousing and large commercial construction. The General Fund is a .76% increase over the current year. Staff is recommending a local property tax increase of $0.45 per thousand dollars of assessed value for a total of $347,000. The recommended increase would be about $60.75 annually on a $270,000 home. The last time the city increased the local property tax was in 1996/97. Currently we do not levy the authorized limit set by the State: City o/~G'enUal Point Budget Committee Minutes May 1, l(X)G' Page 2 There was discussion regarding the proposed increase. They discussed cost saving ideas and the percentage of the increase for the overall budget amount. If the taxes are increased there should be something specific for the citizens. The total amount of the increase would not quite cover the personnel costs for General Fund city employees. The Committee decided to hear the presentation for the General Fund before taking a vote on the tax increase issue. V. PRESENTATION OF PROPOSED DEPARTIIAENT BUDGETS FOR THE GENERAL FUND 1. Administration Mr. Messina stated that the Administration Department has no recommended changes in Personnel. The increase in personnel costs is due to the approved position of a Human Resource Manager. It became apparent that the City was in need of a full time HR Manager in 2005. This position will need software in order to have accurate up-to-date information about employees. City Enhancement includes the second payment for the Crater High School Stadium reconstruction. Food & Friends is asking for $10,500 for help with their program to Central Point Seniors. A Tourism AdHoc Committee recommended $60,000 in various donations for events throughout the City. There is no significant change for the Information Technology portion of the budget. 2. Finance Finance Director Jill Turner explained the accomplishments in the last year and the goals for the coming year. An update in finance software is needed for approximately $56,000. She explained there will be no increase in personnel this year, and explained some of the line items such as bank/visa fees and phone/internet. Printing and binding is a larger item because of the stationary, envelopes, budget document and the CAFR. Professional services are increased with an additional amount for financial consultants to complete a few projects. 3. Parks and Recreation Parks and Recreation Director Katherine Boxer stated that there is a need to increase park land for the City. She explained the goals and challenges of the department. They will be working on a long term funding strategy. The department will be researching and revising parks ordinances. They will continue to search for grant opportunities for parks and the recreation programs. The Community Center will continue to be a goal for the department but no plans to purchase property or build a site at this time. They will increase fees for some of the programs and eliminate the programs that are not well attended. There was discussion on park maintenance, drought resistant plants, and coordinating maintenance to use fewer trips. They discussed contracting out some of the smaller jobs and working with the inmate programs. 1 City of ~rt6a1 Point Budget Corntnittee Minutes May 1, `1006' Page 3 Mr. Messina stated that the next meeting is scheduled for May 15th where they will hear the recommendations for Planning, Police, and the Building Departments. Staff was directed to research and bring back information regarding: • Why is there aphone/internet line in each department? Why the increase: Should this be under the IT Budget? • Fund Balances. • Franchise Revenues. • A comparison of other cities our size regarding the tax increase recommendation. • Is it possible to charge a credit card fee? V. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m. to the i111ay, 15, 2006, Budget Committee IUleeting. A Dated S ~ d ,~~ budget Secretary