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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBudget/Finance Committee Minutes 03.31.2004 MINUTES BUDGET/FINANCE COMMITTEE March 31, 2004 5:30 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Mark Mace Mayor Ken Olson Doug PoeMs Kate Stevenson Gay Easton OTHERS PRESENT: Mary Embleton Judge Jean Kerr Nathan Tubergen Cal Cumin The Budget/Finance Committee meeting was called to order by Chairman Mark Mace at 5:35 p.m., to discuss the following Preliminary budgets: Court Crime Victims Fund Court Technology Surcharge Mayor CouncU Driver License Reinstatement Law Enforcemem Academy Surcharge City/County Planning TCSP Grant No public attended to offer commem. Judge Kerr presented the Court Budget. She is requesting a wage increase t~om $22,500 to $28,000/year due to the fact that she works more than 20 hours/week, and that the court revenues have increased since 1998 when she was elected. The court clerks are budgeted at 13A FTE. In the past, the 3A position was split between the court and the attorney, but with the new arrangements with the contracted attorneys, the court would like to fund the full ~ position. Jean stated that Billings and other courts receive a cost- of-living increase every year, and yet her salary has not been increased since July 2001. She emphasized that the position is no longer a part-time job, and that the entry-level base should be at least $25,000. She asked that the job descriptions for the court clerks be reviewed. The travel portion of the budgets is up to $3,000 for the judge and $3,000 for the clerks. This is due to a Full Court training session in Salt Lake City on September 7-10. The court would be closed, and an on-call judge would be scheduled to cover any mediate needs while they are gone. Jean informed the committee that public defense costs have been offset by the fact that she orders restitution when she can for court- appointed attorney costs. The contracted services item is for the maintenance on the copy machine, which was also split with the city attorney in the past. Jean included a grant match transfer amount of $2,000 in order to try to set up a supervisory program for community service. The other services that have been used in the past, such as Mountain Peaks and Alternatives, are not available anymore. It was suggested that she contact the Yellowstone County Sheriff's office for assistance. The agency funds were reviewed next. These are fees that are collected by the court, and then transferred to the county treasurer monthly. The Crime Victims Fund collects Budget Work session March 31, 2004 Page 2 $24.00 of every $25.00 fee assessed. The city is allowed to keep $1.00 for administrative costs. Jean stated that Laurel receives no services from the county for the $24.00/case fee that is collected and remitted. The Court Technology Surcharge goes towards the purchase and maintenance of the court'S computers, which are owned by the state. The Drivers License Reinstatement Fee will be phased out eventually. The Law Enforcement Academy Surcharge is a new fee that has little history, so is difficult to project. Jean stated that the court is enjoying the improved services of the new attorneys. Some of the procedures and scheduling may need to be revised, but overall, they are pleased with the results. Jean also told the committee that she has been working on an option for the court building: she is considering Larry McCarm's idea of using the parking lot across the street for a mobile unit building. She has contacted a company called Mobile Star and is getting an estimate for 6 connecting units. They are ADA compliant, building code compliant, and could be purchased or leased. There is a 60 to 90-day turnaround for delivery, and more details will be given to the council as soon as they are received. Cai Cumin presented the City/County Planning budget. He is asking for an increase of $5,000 for his fees (from $15,000 to $20,000). The City/County Planning board was created in 1975 by joint resolutions by both city and county governments, and had a provision for the authority to levy 2 mills. However, only 1.13 mills are currently being assessed by the county's authority. Cai will meet with the county commissioners to see if that can be increased. In 1986, the planning area, which was originally 4½ miles outside city limits, was increased to a larger and more sensible area, but the mill levy was never increased to cover the enlarged area. Cai will also work on that issue. Cai informed the committee that the TCSP Grant has about $7,000 left to spend to complete the project. All of the grant money will be drawn by the end of this fiscal year. Vice-president Doug Poehls presented the Council budget. He proposes increased salaries based on the number of meetings that the council members attend, which have doubled in the last couple of years, with the addition of the workshops. He estimated 50 meetings/year at $70/meeting for council members, $72/meeting for council VP, and $75/meeting for council president. Nathan suggested looking at a "non-departmental" budget within the General Fund for line items, such as Special Assessments, which do not have a particular department function. Ken Olson presented the Mayor budget, which is basically the same as last year. He has chosen not to use the health insurance benefit, but the budgeting needs to remain appropriated, in case a successor would use it. Ken stated that he may need to increase the consultant budget to address the creation and implementation of a safety policy (+$5,000). The city may have to evaluate the need for a safety officer, when a review of Budget Work session March 31, 2004 Page 3 personnel is conducted in the future. Last year's allocation for an economic development coordinator was a one-time only expense. The meeting adjourned at 6:44 p.m. The next budget work session will be on Thursday, April 1~t at 5:30 p.m. in the Old Council Chambers. Respectfully Submitted, eton Clerk/Treasurer