HomeMy WebLinkAboutBudget/Finance Committee Minutes 03.19.2001MEMBERS PRESENT:
OTHERS PRESENT:
MINUTES
BUDGET/FINANCE COMMITTEE
MARCH 19, 2001 7:00 P.M.
DPW OFFICE
Chairman Bud Johnson
Chuck Rodgers
Mark Mace
Gay Easton
Ken Olson
Gary Temple
Jim Stevens
Mary Embleton
Larry McCann
The minmes for the March 5, 2001 meeting were reviewed. Bud suggested adding more
information to describe Pat Murtaugh's proposal. Motion by Gay, seconded by Ken to
include more information to describe the proposal fi.om Pat Murtau~,h Motion passed
unanimously. The revised minutes were approved.
Mary reported that she had prepared and distributed copies of the budget calendar and
worksheets to the department heads on Friday. A workshop will be conducted at the
next department head meeting to review the calendar and provide information on the
budget process. The committee reviewed the calendar and made one change: from
Tuesday, April 24t~ to Monday, April 23~. Mary asked for final approval t~om the
committee on the format for financial reports. The committee will receive the cash,
revenue, and expense spreadsheet and line graph for the General, Street Maintenance,
Gas Tax, and Enterprise Funds. The monthly reports to council will consist of the cash
report and the spreadsheet with revenues and expenses for the month, YTD, and budget
to actual. Motion by Mark, seconded by Ken to accept the report formats and
coma)ended Mary on the work she had done. Motion passed unanimously. Mary
reported on the meeting with Nathan Tubergen held on the 14~. The city will need the
services ora bond counsel, and he recommended Mae Nan Ellingson, and had left a
message for her to contact the mayor. Discussion was also held regarding special
improvement districts vs. council-ordered miscellaneous districts. The special
improvement districts must be made up of contiguous parcels, but the miscellaneous
districts do not need to be contiguous. One bond can be issued for numerous districts. It
was stated that it would be preferable if the public were educated about the sidewahk
project, and provided the council with a petition to initiate the project.
Fire Chief Jim Stevens reported to the committee his findings regarding the method of
payment to the volunteers of the Laurel Fire Department. He contacted the Montana
Department of Labor, who recommend that he contact the U.S. Department of Labor. Based
on the information he received, Jim recommended that the City of Laurel continue with the
nominal fee "per call" method of payment to the volunteer firemen. Copies of his
documentation will be given to the auditors. Motion by Gav~ seconded by Mark to accept
Jim's recommendation on a per call basis. Motion passed unanimously. Jim also reported on
the progress of the new water tender truelc When it is all finished, he estimates that the
Budget/Finance Committee
March 19, 2001
Page 2
total cost will be approximately $110,000 compared to a "turn key" one that would have cost
$162;000. Jim also reported that the department will be applying fora grant for a new
engine company for servicing the outer areas. The engine would cost approximately
$200,000, and the grant would require a 10% match. Jim again asked that $13,000 of the
revenue received from loaning the city's equipment to fight the wild fires last summer be put
in the Capital Improvements Fund to be applied toward the match. The committee thanked
Jim for the information.
Larry reported that Pat Murtaugh is working on the Lighting District project. He should
have his information ready in two weeks. Mary reported that she and Larry met with
Matt and gave him the information needed to begin drafting the resolutions.
The committee discussed travel expense policy. The mayor and Mary will draft one
modeled after the state rates and come up with wording for lodging for conventions and
other events that exceed the state lodging rotes, and bring it back to the next meeting.
There was no update given on the proposed investment policy. Chuck and Mary were
unable to meet to bring back final recommendations for the next meeting. Mary would
like to compare our draft to the model she found that is recommended by the Municipal
Treasurers Association.
The Financial Reports for February 2001 were reviewed. The committee recommends
to council that the February Financial Reports be approved.
February Journal Vouchera #115-120 were reviewed and approved.
The following purchase requisitions were rexdewed and approved:
GENERAL FUND:
Computer software for fire department mangement, training
Air cylinders (7), hose (10), replacement liner for fire dept.
Begin wiring ½ the camping spots at Riverside Park
$ 789.75
6,840.00
5,000.00
LIGHTING DISTRICT #2
Purchase portion of SAMSID computer Program
$1,351.60
LIGHTING DISTRICT #3
Purchase portion of SAMSID computer program
$ 741.20
Budget/Finance Committee
March 19, 2001
Page 3
STREET MAINTENANCE DISTRICT
Purchase portion of SAMSID computer program
$8,807.20
WATER FUND:
Disposal of two hazardous chemicals - water treatment
Chemical for water treatment
Chemical for water treatment
$ 750.00
$2,000.00
$3,700.00
SEWER FUND:
Lift station maintainer
Quarterly toxicity samples
$1,400.00
550.00
SOLID WASTE FUND:
February dumping fees
$4,300.O0
The committee reviewed the Comp/OT reports for PPE 3/4/01.
The Payroll Register for PPE 3/4/0I totaling $97,994.08 was reviewed and approved by the
committee.
The meeting adjourned at 7:37 p.m. The next regular Budget/Finance Committee
meeting will be Monday, April 2, 2001 at 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary IC E~mbletort, Clerk/Treasurer