HomeMy WebLinkAboutBudget/Finance Committee Minutes 11.04.2002 MINUTES
BUDGET/FINANCE COMMITTEE
NOVEMBER 4, 2002 7:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Chairman Ken Olson
Mark Mace
Gay Easton
Bud Johnson
OTHERS PRESENT:
Mary Embleton
Mike Haskell
The BudgeffFinanee Committee meeting was called to order by Chairman Olson at 7:00
p.m.
Mike Haskell of Technical Edge Consulting gave an update on the tasks his company has
performed for the city over the last several months. A little more than half of the
proposed tasks have been completed. After discussion, priority has been given to
complete the following tasks: Apply Windows updates, apply Office updates, fix Larry's
PC, improve cables and patch panels at the police department. Also to be researched are
the licensing of programs, and wireless access. The mayor expressed his desire to be able
to access his city e-mail from a remote terminal. Mike will research these issues.
The minutes oftbe October 15, 2002 regular meeting were approved as presented.
October claims totaling $156,264.40 were reviewed and the committee recommends
approval by the council via motion by Gay, seconded by Mark, and passed unanimously.
The following purchase requisitions were reviewed and approved:
GENERAL FUND:
Special assessments for city property - council
City/county/school joint meeting - mayor
Supervisory training - split with 6 dept (clerk, atty, amb, PW)
Repaks to Car #3 - police dept.
Initial cleaning & repairs to lunchroom - shop
$ 5,339.11
$ 509.76
$ 500.00
$ 702.97
$ 1,200.00
POLICE TRAINING FUND:
Supervisory training
$ 125.00
WATER FUN-D:
Liquid alum - plant
Analyzer chemical/reagent - plant
Advertisement for bids for Intake project - plant
50 meter heads and remotes - system
$ 2,800.00
$ 1,508.10
$ 1,011.82
$ 1,500.00
SEWER FUND:
Supervisory Training- system $ 125.00
Budget/Finance Committee
November 4, 2002
Page 2.
The Comp/OT reports were reviewed for pay periods ending 10/13/02 and 10/27/02.
The Payroll Registers for PPE 10/13/02 totaling $108,713.40 and PPE 10/27/02 totaling
$111,693.68 were reviewed and the committee recommends approval by council via
motion by Mark, seconded by Gay, and passed unanimously.
Mary updated the committee regarding the mill levy decrease investigation. She
received a history of market and taxable values for Touch America for 1999 through
2002. The figures showed a continual decline in value for all four years. The figures
were forwarded to Gene Walborn. Mary will continue to ask for explanations.
Mary reported that Casey Joyce of Big Sky Economic Development Authority has
submitted the housing grant application. The city applied for a $500,000 HOME first-
time homebuyer assistance grant with the city contributing $25,000 in soft match. Casey
will also assist the city in processing eligible participants to use up the program income
generated from the first homebuyer program.
Changes to the cemetery ordinance will be presented at the November 12th work
session.
Mmy gave a report on the IRS Payroll workshop held 9/24/02. The workshop had
already been held in Polson and Butte/Silver Bow before coming to Billings. The first
two meetings had raised some issues regarding meal reimbursements, personal use of city
vehicles, employees vs. independent contractors, social security for police and
firefighters, volunteers. Some of these issues may apply to Laurel.
Mary also attended the GASB 34 workshop in Billings on 10/24/02. This session
focused on the upcoming changes in the annual financial report nad gave some examples
to work through. The April session will be critical for mayors and councilmen to attend,
since it will be dealing with the MD&A (Management Discussion and Analysis)
Statement, which is to be prepared by the administration.
Other issues discussed included: Bud told the committee that a budget amendment will
be needed in order for Planning to prepare the update to the Growth Management plan.
Bud also informed the committee that he had given Larry direction to proceed with the
water facility study. Bud is still waiting for a plan to come forward from the depamnent
heads regarding the use of the facility the city is considering pumhasing from the state.
Mary stated that she and Larry have been in contact with Anna Miller of the DNRC for
information and possible financing of the Intake project. COP Construction had been
hired to put in a new berm in the river on Friday, as the city was nearly out of water due
to the intake freezing up because the water to the intake was too shallow. Discussion
followed regarding HKM Engineering.
Budget/Finance Committee
November 4, 2002
Page 3.
The next meeting will be on Monday, November 18th at 5:00 p.m. due to other
commitmems on Monday night.
The meeting adjourned at 8:31 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Clerk/Treasurer