HomeMy WebLinkAboutBudget/Finance Committee Minutes 04.14.2004 MINUTES
BUDGET/FINANCE COMMITTEE
April 14, 2004 5:30 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Chairman Mark Mace
Gay Easton
Kate Stevenson
Mayor Ken Olson
OTHERS PRESENT:
Mary Embleton Nathan Tubergen
Doug Poehls Jan Faught
Peg Arnold
Library Board members Margaret Freund, Katherine
Kucera, and Bonnie Latham
The Budget/Finance Committee meeting was called to order by Chairman Mark Mace at
5:30 p.m., to discuss the following Preliminary budgets:
General Fund Library
General Fund Ambulance
PERS Fund
Library Aid Grant
Comprehensive Insurance Fund
Health Insurance funds
No public attended to offer comment.
Library Director Peg Arnold introduced her board members. She then explained the
Library Aid Grant, which comes from the state. She has also applied for another grant,
which will help fund a Montana shared library catalog.
Peg then reviewed the General Fund Library budget. A 3% wage increase is included
in the salaries and wages, plus the hours have been increased for the part-time employees.
She is requesting a $600 increase in her salary and a $200 OTE for business use of bet
personal car, both of which have already been approved by the Library board. Nathan
suggested using mileage reimbursement rather than OTE for use of the car. Other
increases in the library budget included: increased demand for more books and different
types of material; increase in membership dues; $1,000 increase in facilities for fixing
sidewalks; increase in janitorial service. Peg inquired as to the status of the health
insurance, and reminded the committee that the director is not budgeted for health
insurance, since she is on the same policy as her husband, who works in the solid waste
department. Peg also informed the committee that next week is National Library Week,
and requested that a proclamation be issued.
Ambulance Director Jan Faught presented the General Fund Ambulance budget. The
ambulance service has improved overall in the last 5 years. There is a new oppommity to
improve the service even more by offering additional training to the volunteer attendants.
There are 5 endorsement modules that have recently become available, but the cost is
unknown, and so the training budget has been increased by $8,000. The ambulance has a
new medical director, and there are higher expectations by the DOL. The medical
Budget Work Session
April 14, 2004
Page 2.
director may need to be paid for his services. Could this be done under the professional
services line item? More equipment and supplies are needed for training, i.e.
mannequins, which could be purchased through donations.
Jan talked about the issue with AMR, who wants a contract for $160/run that they assist.
The ambulance has been discussing obtaining Advanced Life Service licensing, which
would require more training. The history of the association with AMR was reviewed.
Nathan asked what the actual cost per mn is for the Laurel ambulance. Revenues will
also be reviewed for projections for next year. The ambulance roster currently has 18
volunteers. Training needs were discussed, but there is no training area available to the
ambulance. Their main capital need is replacing ambulances, and the 1999 vehicle needs
to be replaced.
Mary briefly reviewed the special revenue funds for insurances: Liability premiums will
increase a net of 23%; workers comp premiums increased a net of 2.7% and property is
5%. Work on the other special revenue funds for PERS and health insurance has not
been completed, due to the need for more information on rotes and levy predictions.
The me~ing adjourned at 6:50 p.m. The next budget work session will be on Thursday,
April 15~h at 5:30 p.m. in the Old Council Chambers.
Respectfully Submitted,
ton
Clerk/Treasurer