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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBudget/Finance Committee Minutes 03.17.2004 MINUTES BUDGET/FINANCE COMMITTEE March 17, 2004 5:30 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Mark Mace Mayor Ken Olson Kate Stevenson OTHERS PRESENT: Mm'y Embleton The Budget/Finance Committee meeting was called to order by Chairman Mark Mace at 5:35 p.m., to discuss the following Preliminary budgets: Clerk/Treasurer Civil Defense Air Pollution Control City Election Board of Adjustments SID/ti 10 Mary presented the committee with their workbooks, and reviewed the Index to the books with the committee. The Clerk/Treasurer's preliminary budget was presented. Mary stated that there is a resolution in place which gives a 3% wage increase for all non-union employees, and that is what has been used throughout the wage calculations for this budget. However, she may be asking for additional wage increases for her staffand herself. She also stated that the wages did not include an amount for when the city hires a temporary Administrative Assistant-Capital Projects Coordinator. This position should be split between the departments that benefit fi:om the work. There is an 18% increase in the operating supplies budget, mainly for computer replacement. A 26% increase is projected for postage due to the increased volume of outgoing mail from the city. Overall, the clerk/treasurer's budget is showing a 6% increase. An explanation of Administrative Charges paid from the enterprise funds to the General fund was given, and discussion followed. Mayor Olson stated that the methodology for direct charges to the enterprise funds will be developed this coming fiscal year. Mary stated that the clerk/treasurer's budget could be cut by as much as 2/3 if the appropriate costs could be charged directly to the enterprise and other funds. Discussion followed. The Election budget contains an appropriation this year due to the ballot question regarding local government review, which occurs every ten years. Otherwise, there would be no need for election appropriations, since this is not an election year. The Civil Defense budget has the same appropriation as previous years, but nothing has been spent for several years. This may change as mandated security measures continue to come down fi:om the federal level. The Board of Adjustments budget may not be necessary, if this board no longer functions. The mayor will check into the matter further. Budget Work session March 17, 2004 Page 2 SID #110 is a debt service fund for the 0nly special improvement district in Laurel. The revenues were calculated by the remaining assessment payments, plus one pay-off. The expenditures consist of the debt payment of $10,245 plus two pay-offs. The committee then discussed the other city committees, and their functions. The mayor stated that he would like to see the committees become more active. It was stated that perhaps a mission statement or other type of guidelines be established to better define the committees' purpose. Education of the members was also discussed. The meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m. The next budget work session will be on Thursday, March 18tl~ at 5:30 p.m. The remaining meetings will be held upstairs in the Old Council Chambers. Respectfully Submitted, ~leton Clerk/Treasurer