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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBUDGET WORKSHOP SEPTEMBER 2, 2015COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA SEPTEMBER 2, 2015 The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville, Indiana met for budget workshops in Room 101, 500 Quartermaster Court, Jeffersonville, Indiana at 5:00 pm, on Wednesday September 2, 2015. Council President Gill called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm. The roll call was conducted and those present were: Councilperson Wadsworth, Councilperson Sellers, Councilperson Webb, Council President Gill, Councilperson Samuel. Council President Gill noted that Councilperson Owen would be late. PLANNING AND ZONING- Shane Corbin presented the proposed budget for Planning and Zoning. Council President Gill opened the meeting stating she could only speak for herself but she had some concerns about the budget and they are doing like they did last year, pulling the performance pool, new employees, and capital expenditures greater than $5000.00 to the Council budget until after the Circuit Breaker. There were no requested new employees. Mr. Corbin stated the only thing he added back in that was taken out the previous year was the last line for Software/Hardware. This line would give him the opportunity to buy the needed software package and to also replace an employee's computer in the event that it crashed due to its age. Council President Gill asked if that was a necessity for Planning and Zoning's day to day operation because they are trying to make a priority list. Mr. Corbin stated the main package he needed was in Design which is necessary for professional documents and it costs about $1500.00. The Council discussed if they were going to move the amount since it was the cut off limit of $5000.00. The Council decided to move it to their budget. The difference in salary is due to it not being budgeted for a full year in 2015. FIRE- Fire Chief Eric Hederick presented the proposed budget for the Fire Department. Council President Gill informed Chief Hederick that performance pools will be pulled under the Council Budget until after Circuit Breakers along with all new hires and capital expenditures amounting more than $5000.00. The part time employee is an administrative assistant for the office. It is difficult when the full time assistant is off because the Fire Department either has to close the office or pull someone in the office to cover the administrative responsibilities. This position will be budgeted for 30 hours a week. The overtime budget is increasing because of the usage for this year and Chief Hederick has been moving stuff around already. The overtime is so large because of all of the FMLA days that have been taken. Because of contracts, there are 4 allowed vacation slots available for every day and that does not count FMLA leave. Safety Education Supplies is for supplies for kids coloring books, handouts, public safety, etc. Training supplies is to account for the change in the state curriculum where each individual has to purchase separate curriculums. Councilperson Sellers asked why there was an increase requested for Other Supplies when the department had not even used half of what they were budgeted for this year. Chief Hederick stated most supplies are bought by the pallet and it is a possibility it had not come time to repurchase supplies for the year. Motor Equipment Supplies could be decreased back to the amount for the 2015 budget. Contracted Services is for a Training Officer, could prevent the Union from coming before the Council to request an additional full time employee. There is an increase in the Repairs and Maintenance line. Firehouse 1 is very old and needing constant repairs. We need to look at if we want to have an overhaul of the building or build a new one. Safety Equipment was moved from another line, it is not additional funds. Improvements for the Training Room is to get a television that interlocks with everyone so they can do training. Improvements is for the fitness rooms, a lot of stations do not have fitness equipment. The stations that do have it the equipment is aged. Chief Hederick stated he would like to encourage them to work out. Equipment is for radio replacement (30 Units) and the mobiles and the portables. The Vehicles is for a new Battalion vehicle that will need a tower, a cascade, and a Tight. Councilperson Owen stated that it could be an issue if there was a long fire and the department was not able to refill the bottle on the scene. Safety Equipment is to replace the bottles so they are all interchangeable. They are about $6500 a piece and 9 are needed. It is also to replace gear that is coming up over 5 years ($2200 a set). Improvements also includes a new generator that is aged, a Go Pro Camera, a Gear Locker, and industrial fans. The Council discussed not wanting to drain the LOIT fund. When Police and Fire come before them and need additional things, they are typically big ticket items and the Council is able to turn to the LOIT fund for that because it is typically needed immediately. MAYOR, LAW, & BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS- Les Merkley presented the Mayor's budget, Law Budget, and Board of Public Works Budget. Council President explained that the performance pools will be pulled under the Council Budget until after Circuit Breakers along with all new hires and capital expenditures amounting more than $5000.00. The only major change is returning the money back to the Promotional line that was cut for the 2015 Budget. Overtime is because there is an hourly employee and is just in case of the event that it is needed. Councilperson Sellers asked what the Advertisement was for and Mr. Merkley stated it was for advertisements that were run on behalf of the City. Promotion is for any tickets the Mayor may buy or tables purchased. No changes for Law budget. During the Board of Public Works Councilperson Sellers brought up the City wide WIFI. The Council discussed how they have received complaints that it doesn't even work. May need to look into it to see if there is an actual contract we are bound to. FINANCE- City Controller Amy Deering presented her budget. The Mayor tried to get her a higher wage and it was said that they would revisit and it never happened so she put in a raise for herself. Ms. Deering just received her Master's Degree in Accounting in March. A raise was also submitted for Assistant City Controller. Payroll is becoming a large task so a new position is being requested. The Kronos time keeping system would be transferred to Finance Department. The amount listed is 100% and Ms. Deering would like to ask Wastewater to pay 20% as all of the other positions are. Councilperson Samuel asked all of the amounts listed were only 80% of the yearly salary. Ms. Deering stated yes and Council President Gill stated that was not her understanding and they need to get with Scott on that issue. Council President Gill stated there needs to be a total salary in case a member of the public came in and asked for a salary they could report the actual salary. AP Clerk used to be just data and now is more of an auditing position and an increase is being requested. The 200 and 300 series have decreased, the Department tried to decrease to offset the increases. ADJOURNMENT: Councilperson Owen made the motion to ADJOURNED, seconded by Councilperson Samuel and the meeting adjourned at 7:15 P.M. APPROVED BY: Lisa ill, President Vicki Conlin, City Clerk