HomeMy WebLinkAboutBudget/Finance Committee Minutes 08.20.2001 MINUTES
BUDGET/FINANCE COMMITTEE
AUGUST 20, 2001 7:00 P.M.
DPW OFFICE
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Chairman Bud Johnson
Chuck Rodgers
Gay Easton Mark Mace
Ken Olson
OTHERS PRESENT:
Mary Embleton
The regular meeting of the Budget/Finance Committee was called to order by Chairman
Bud Johnson at 7:00 p.m.
The minutes of the August 2na budget work session and the August 6th regular meeting
were approved as presented.
Mary stated that the Final Budget is ready for tomorrow night. She is still concerned
about the enterprise funds, and found that it is possible to take out the depreciation
expense that was appropriated because it is a non-cash expense. That would mean
reducing appropriations by $150,000 in water, $180,000 in sewer, and $50,000 in solid
waste which would help all three funds. Bud stated that he is going to recommend
passing the budget, but the enterprise funds be re-submitted on October 16th using the
user rates in place as of July 1, 2001. The reason for this is that the revenues are
overstated due to rate increases for all twelve months of the fiscal year in all three funds.
Mary also presented a worksheet showing the effect of the mills on taxpayers for
different values of property. She will put it in a more readable format by tomorrow night.
The ballot issue is ready to go to the county election administrator as soon as the
.resolution is passed tomorrow night. Ken Weaver helped with the wording of the ballot
~ssue, and Duane Winslow, election administrator, reviewed and approved the format.
Next, Mary presented a letter and agreement from Beartooth RC&D regarding the
city's portion of $690.17 for their services for FY'02. It was approved by the committee
and will be on the 9/4/01 council agenda.
The public heating for the expansion of the Lighting Districts is set for 9/4/01. Mary
sent out notices to taxpayers with the help of Pat Muttaugh. However, his mailing list
had errors in it regarding the second owner name, and many people complained of having
someone else's name, besides their own, on their notices. Pat will send out a letter of
apology and explanation to those affected by the error. Bud stated that he had received
numerous calls regarding the notice, and that the notice was confusing. The figures did
not coincide with the information he had, and the rate per 1000 square feet did not clarify
that it was an annual rate. Discussion followed, after which Mary was instructed to
prepare an explanation of costs and facts for the council's information as soon as possible
so that everyone is prepared for the public hearing, as well as to answer questions from
the public.
Budget/Finance Committee Minutes
August 20, 2001
Page 2.
The July Financial Reports were reviewed and approved. Bud suggested that the charts
be continued showing several months fi.om last fiscal year in order to be able to track
activity from month to month. Mary will provide these next month.
The July Journal Vouchers #143-148 were reviewed and approved.
The following purchase requisitions were reviewed and approved:
STREET MAINTENANCE FUND:
Tar oil for asphalt
$ 714.40
GAS TAX:
Hydraulic oil $ 514.80
WATER FUND:
Dig around intake and install new berm
Chlorine - plant
Granular HTH - plant
Repair 14 curb boxes - system (insurance program)
$10,500.00
$ 625.00
$ 145.00
$ 5,400.00
SEWER FUND:
Granular HTH - plant
Oil and lube - plant
Bacteria for lift station - system
$ 435.00
$ 850.00
$ 525.00
SOLID WASTE FUND:
Motor oil $ 930.60
The Comp/OT reports were reviewed for pay period ending 8/5/01.
The Payroll Register for PPE 8/5/01 totaling $108,464.22 was reviewed and approved.
Mary pointed out that the next regularly scheduled meeting would fall on the Labor Day
holiday. The committee moved the meeting to Sept. 4th at 6:00 prior to pre-council.
The committee then discussed the pending CIP proposal. The contract with ME&A has
been reviewed by the mayor and city attomey, and Mary distributed copies. The contract
will not exceed $29,500. Bud stated that the CIP process must include some education,
primarily for department heads, to list priorities accompanied by funding sources.
Budget/Finance Committee Minutes
August 20, 2001
Page 3
Ken brought up the fact that the insurance premiums are still at issue, and pointed out that
only the premiums for August were authorized for payment. Lengthy discussion
followed, and the Insurance Committee will meet again on September 11th at 5:00 to
listen to presentations on other types of plans. The Budget/Finance Cornmittee
authorized that the premiums for the Blue Select plan be paid for September. This will
give the Insurance Committee more time to further research the health insurance market.
The meeting adjoumed at 8:22 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary K. Embleton
Clerk/Treasurer