HomeMy WebLinkAboutBudget/Finance Committee Minutes 09.02.2008CITY OF LAUREL
BUDGET/FINANCE COMMTI'TEE MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 2, 2008 5:30 P.M.
COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM
MEMBERS FRESENT: Chairman Mark Mace Kate Hart
Gay Easton Doug Poehls
OTHERS PRESENT: Mary Embleton
The Budget/Finance Committee meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m., by Chairman Mark
Mace. There was no public in attendance.
The minutes of the August 19, 2008 meeting were reviewed and approved via motion by Doug,
seconded by Kate, and passed unanimously.
August claims totaling $403,068.66 were reviewed. Mary stated that this includes $124,792 in
liability premiums, $41,153 in property insurance premiums, $21,635 for the water meter debt
service, and $22,670 in Intercap loan payments for the 9-1-1 equipment, new ambulance, and new
fire tender vac truck for a total of $210,250. Motion by Kate, seconded by Doug, to recommend
approval of the claims by the council. Motion passed unanimously.
The following purchase requisitions were reviewed and approved:
CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND:
2009 Chevy Impala police car -Police dept. $23,550.00
WATER FUND:
Replace hydraulic pump on backhoe -system $ 3,210.58
SEWER FUND:
Repair Elm Street Lift Station pump volute -system $ 2,500.00
The Comp/OT reports were reviewed for pay period ending 8/24/08, which includes overtime
for the CHS water meter replacement and a water line break.
The Payroll Register for PPE 8/24/08 totaling $122,537.36 was reviewed. Motion by Kate,
seconded by Doug, to recommend council approval of the payroll register. Motion passed
unanimously.
Clerlc/Treasurer Comments:
Budg_et_process -Mary stated that the Preliminary Budget will be presented tonight. She briefed
the committee on same of the highlights. The General Fund is showing a $320,000 deficit and a
17.26% reserve. Discussion followed, during which the committee stated that a 20% reserve was
desirable, and Mary preferred a 25% reserve. She further explained that the wages were
calculated at higher than 3%, which is what is noted in the budget documents. This will be
corrected with the Final Budget, and the proposed wage increases will be presented at the next
workshop, as council has to approve the wages by statute. There was some discussion regarding
the police union negotiations. Mary stated that Mayor Olson instructed her to budget the police
union wages at just over 4% (4.25%). Gay stated that the state mediator is scheduled to return to
Laurel on Thursday for another meeting with the city and the police union. Hopefully, the
BudgetlFinance Committee
September 2, 2008
contract negotiations will be completed. The General Fund also includes a $60,000 appropriation
to transfer funds to the C1P, as per the adopted plan. The remaining budget document has details
of the major funds, i.e. General, Street Maintenance, Gas Tax, Planning, Building, Capital
Projects, and Enterprise Funds. The remaining funds are presented as summary sheets. The
committee then discussed procedure, and stated that the council will probably waive the rule and
adopt the Final Budget after the Public Hearing on September 16`". Chairman Mace suggested
showing some of last year's budget figures when presenting the preliminary budget.
Mayor's Comments:
Mayor Olson was unable to attend this meeting.
Chief Administrative Officer Comments:
Bill Sheridan was unable to attend this meeting, but it was reported that there is some progress
regarding the Storm Water Project.
Other issues: Mary reminded the committee that the League Conference is October 8-10 in
Missoula, and that she would like to know very soon which council members plan to attend. So
far, Council Members Dickerson, Eaton, and Mace plan on attending. The committee also
discussed Riverside Park, and that the Park Board is waiting on the survey to be completed.
The next regular meeting will be on Tuesday, September 16~' at 5:30 p.m.
For next agenda: Same.
The meeting adjourned at 6:03 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary K. E~bleton
Clerk/Treasurer
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