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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBudget/Finance Committee Minutes 04.03.2002 MINUTES BUDGET/FINANCE COMMITTEE APRIL 3, 2002 7:00 P.M. OLD COUNCIL CHAMBERS MEMBERS PRESENT: OTHERS PRESENT: Chairman Ken Olson Bud Johnson Mary Embleton Larry McCann Gay Easton Mark Mace Dan Mears Doug PoeMs The Budget/Finance Committee meeting was called to order by Chairman Ken Olson, at 7:05 p.m., to discuss the following preliminary budgets: Director of Public Works Cemetery C Han Cd Bud began the meeting by reviewing the General Fund Tax Levy Requirement Schedule and its purpose, for the benefit of Doug and Dan. Larry began by discussing the newsletter costs, estimated at $3,800/year, to be spread over all applicable funds. He then reviewed Ms letter regarding: salaries - wait for the completion of the job description and wage classification review; proposed stand-by pay at an additional overall cost of about $7855/yr, and bringifig in 3 Malnt. Ili workers to help cover the weekends and holidays, and splitting the costs between Water, Wastewater, and Streets. These costs have not been included in the budgets as yet. Larry then continued with the Director of Public Works budget. The major changes include a new pickup for $14,000 and a plotter for $8,000. The plotter would be tied to the county's GIS system so the city could print their own maps, rather than having to go to Billings to get them. The extra consulting money is for having Billings come to Laurel with their GPS equipment to get coordinates of all the street intersections. This is important to get accurate information to plan work. Larry would like to get an intern from Bozeman's engineering school for FY '03-04 to then complete the mapping of the city's infrastructure. Discussion was held on these issues. There were few changes to the General Fund Building - City Hall budget. The janitorial service may see an increase next November when the contract is renewed. Building maintenance is a little high, but many needs have been identified to repair or correct in the city hall buildings. There is $10,000 left in the current budget, which may be used this year in the council chambers for air conditioning and/or acoustics. City hall also needs the electrical system upgraded from 100 amp service. These issues were also discussed. Budget/Finance Committee April 3, 2002 Page 2. There are small increases in the Cemetery budget from wages and utilities, with no other major changes. However, a sprinkler system is budgeted in the Capital Projects - Cemetery Improvements fund for $25,000. This would cover the costs of materials only, and labor would be covered in other budgets. Larry introduced the concept of a Cemetery District. This would move the cemetery completely out of the city's budget and control, and be governed by a totally separate board. The district would be able to tax an area outside of city limits for funding for the cemetery. Discussion followed, and the committee would like to see this option researched more thoroughly. The issues of tree trimming and pruning, and curbs and gutters were discussed. The City Shop budget showed an increase in telephone service due to the addition of a fax phone line. The major change in this budget was for the acquisition of state land and the building ora shop on that land at an estimated cost of $150,000. The new building would be for housing emergency services equipment, thus separating public works equipment fi'om the fire tracks, etc. The police department could use part of the existing state building for a dog pound and storagel Larry stated that he would like to at least be able to purchase the land. A state appraiser was here a few weeks ago, and Larry had discussed the purchase with him. Hopefully, the state will come back with an asking price soon. After Larry finished, Mary reported that she had faxed a copy of the court's response to the audit to Brent Olness for his comments. Discussion f611owed. Mary is still waiting to hear back from Technical Edge on the status of the network hard drive. Then the response will be finished up and sent to the state. Mary also reported that she will revise the tax levied funds revenues to include personal property reimbursement figures. She also had some interesting facts from the Montana Taxpayers latest publication, and she will distribute them to the committee. The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. The next regular Budget/Finance Committee meeting will be Monday, A~gd_l 15~ at 7:00 p.m., and the next Budget work session will be on Wednesday, April 10 at 7:00 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, ary K. Embleton Clerk/Treasurer