HomeMy WebLinkAboutBudget/Finance Committee Minutes 07.17.2000 MINUTES
BUDGET/FINANCE COMMITTEE
JULY 17, 2000 7:00 P.M.
DPW OFFICE
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Chairman Bud Johnson
Ken Olson
Gay Easton
Mark Mace
Chuck Rodgers
OTHERS PRESENT:
Mary Embleton
Norm Klein - Local
Government Services,
Dept. of Commerce
Bud introduced Norm Klein of the Local Government Services, Department of Commerce, who
was asked to attend the meeting to give advice and information on the 2000-2001 budget process.
Norm told the committee that he had met with Mary on June 26th and reviewed the 2000-2001
budget with her. He commented on the following topics:
1. Administrative charges from the Enterprise Funds to the General Fund - should be based on
costs, and transfers eventually eliminated.
2. Enterprise Funds should fund depreciation to set money aside to replace worn out systems.
The General Fund has been set at 65 mills maximum, but it appears that this could have
been increased over the years by using the 105% rule outlined in MCA 15-7-122, but now,
SB184 has set limitations that supersede.
4. Taxable values will drop this year due to SB200 (personal property). He presented a new
tax revenue worksheet to use.
5. HB4 passed in the special session amended SB260 which affects motor vehicle taxes, but
the motor vehicle local option tax still benefits cities.
6. Cities must find new revenue sources, and a local option (sales) tax will hopefully be
allowed by this next legislature.
Cash reserves can be up to 50% of appropriations, but there are no cities at that level. The
city must determine what level it can fiscally manage. Last year was 27% for the General
Fund.
The Department of Revenue will not get the taxable valuations/certified mills out to the
counties and cities until the last week in July. This makes it difficult for cities to pass their
final budget by the first Monday in August. The Department of Commerce will not worry
too much about the adoption date. He presented a model resolution for the city's use.
9. Any voted levy should be presented to the voters in the spring in order for the city to put a
voted issue into effect for the next budget.
10. It is to the city's advantage to move certain types of General Fund expenditures to special
assessment funds in order to free up mills.
11. The city should explore other investment options than just CD's.
Bud thanked Norm for coming and for sharing information with the cormnittee.
The committee reviewed the June financial statements and recommend approval by council.
The committee reviewed and approved the June journal vouchers.
The committee reviewed and approved the following purchase requisitions:
GENERAL FUND:
Chain link fencing and concrete materials for parks $ 855.24
Sprinkler heads for parks 708.30
WATER FUND:
Chemicals for water plant 4,537.22
Chlorine for water plant 619.00
The committee reviewed and discussed the comp/OT report for PPE 7/9/00.
The committee reviewed and approved the payroll register for PPE 7/9/00 for $105,990.41.
The committee recommends going forward with the budget process. Preliminary budget will be
presented to council on August 1a with final adoption on August 15t~. They will meet again on
Tuesday, July 25th, at 7:00 p.m. for more revisions and to complete the preliminary budget. Mary
was instructed to take the Enterprise Funds back to the department heads for revision.
The mayor approved Rick Musson's travel request for attendance of a chief's school. The issue of
updating the city's per diem ordinance was discussed briefly.
The Insurance Committee needs to meet again to settle the health insurance issue before August 1st.
This issue has a large impact on the budget, but more information is needed prior to another
meeting. Joe will be consulted.
The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Clerk-Treasurer