HomeMy WebLinkAboutBudget/Finance Committee Minutes 04.07.2009CITY OF LAUREL
BUDGET/FINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES
APRIL 7, 2009 5:30 P.M.
COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Kate Hart Mark Mace
Doug Poehls Chuck Dickerson
Mayor Ken Olson
OTHERS PRESENT: Mary Embleton
The Budget/Finance Committee meeting was called to order at 5:35 p.m., by Chairman Kate Hart.
There was no public in attendance.
The minutes of the March 17, 2009 meeting were reviewed and approved via motion by Mark,
seconded by Doug, and passed unanimously.
March claims totaling $382,136.71 were reviewed. Mary stated that nearly $230,000 was for
the water plant project. Motion by Doug, seconded by Chuck, to recommend approval of the
claims by the council. Motion passed unanimously.
The following purchase requisition was reviewed:
SEWER FUND:
Methane compressor - sewer treatment plant
$ 7,200.00
A written explanation was attached to this request. Motion by Doug, seconded by Mark to
approve the request. Motion passed unanimously.
The Comp/OT reports were reviewed for pay period ending 3/22/09. It was noted that there are
two solid waste employees out on workers comp.
The Payroll Register for PPE 3/22/09 totaling $138,957.50 was reviewed. Motion by Doug,
seconded by Chuck, to recommend council approval of the payroll register. Motion passed
unanimously.
Clerk/Treasurer Comments:
Administrative Charges Allocation/Rental Allocation - Mary gave a brief overview of the
document, which she presented at the March 315` workshop, and asked if there were any
questions. The auditor reviewed the document on Friday, April 3'd, and stated that there are no
problems with these methods. However, with the adoption of the new Administrative Charges
formula, the General Fund will realize $56,000 less revenue than last fiscal year. This shortfall
can be made up in the Rental Fees, if adopted by the council. The document proposes to charge a
rental fee of $125,000 in FY 2009, and $175,000 in FY 2010. These are only proposals at this
time. The council can decide the amount each year. The Rental Fees give the General Fund more
flexibility for funding the continued increases in demand for services. There will be no new
revenues streams as a result of the current Legislature since the Local Option Tourist Tax bill has
died in committee. Discussion followed including staffing needs in the General Fund in virtually
all departments. The council will act tonight on the creation of a full-time fire chief position.
The rental fees, along with the possibility of increase fire district revenues, can be used to fund
Budget/Finance Committee
April 7, 2009
this position. Mayor Olson asked the committee if they would support the confirmation of the
first two years' allocation of $125,000 and $175,000 respectively. It was the consensus of the
committee to support this, and they agree that more staffing in the General Fund is needed. The
Administrative Charges/Rental Allocations document will be presented at the council workshop
on April 14th with a resolution to adopt the document and allocate the first two years' amounts of
$125,000 for FY 2009 and $175,000 for FY 2010.
Budget Process - Mary hasn't made much progress on this, but plans on entering data in the next
few weeks. The preliminary rates from MMIA were received, and Mary reviewed them with the
committee. There will be slight increases in Liability and Workers Comp premiums due to the
increases in wages. There will be a slight increase in the Property Insurance due to an increase in
the value of city property. The good news is there is no increase in the Health Insurance
premiums for the city's Custom Plan, and there are decreases in the other standard plans'
premiums. Mary told the committee that if the city chose to leave the MMIA pool, they would
not be allowed to rejoin the pool for three years.
Legislative update - Mary stated that there have been no updates on the various bills that she had
reported on at the workshop on March 31St. But she has learned that there is legislation regarding
the Permissive Medical Levy. SB-491 will clarify the law that allows additional mills to be
levied to pay for health insurance cost.
Mayor's Comments:
TIFD update -- Mayor Olson reported that the LURA is meeting every Monday at 11:00 am.
They have been working on the locomotive receptacles and other innovative ideas. The advisory
members will be appointed tonight, and the minutes of the LURA meetings are being distributed.
Chief Administrative Officer Comments:
Bill Sheridan was not at the meeting, so Mayor Olson reported that the Intake Lids replacement
has been completed.
Other issues: Mayor Olson told the committee that the city attorney has located a professional
engineer who is willing to review the Intake Lids issue for a fee of $2,500. The mayor will sign
the contract for this service.
Mayor Olson also stated that the Union #316 contract is ready to go forward tonight. The
contract does not include the 100% sick leave death benefit. The contract does include some
safety provisions and compensation.
The next regular meeting will be on Tuesday, April 21St at 5:30 p.m.
For next agenda: Same.
The meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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Mary K. Embleton
Clerk/Treasurer
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