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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSEPTEMBER 8, 2016 COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA BUDGET WORKSHOP SEPTEMBER 8,2016 The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville met in Budget Workshop in Room 101, 500 Quartermaster Court,Jeffersonville, Indiana at 6:00 PM, on Thursday September 8, 2016. Council President Owen called the meeting to order at 6:03 PM. The roll call was conducted and those present were: Councilperson Jahn, Councilperson Maples, Councilperson Gill, Council President Owen, Councilperson Samuel, and Councilperson Rodriquez. Council President Owen stated it was the decision of the Council to come and go over the final proposed changes to the 2017 Budget that were handed out during the last Council Meeting (September 6, 2016). Councilperson Gill stated she feels as though she has voiced her opinion several times and that the Parks Department is over budgeted. She realizes they met quite a bit and cut some already but she cannot support the hiring of the new Sponsorship employee when the department is over budget to begin with, or the additional $5,000 being requested for the Concessions. Council President Owen stated the additional amount for Concessions are due to the concessions starting at Woehrle. Councilperson Samuel stated there are several concession supplies under several budget lines (such as the Field House and Aquatic Center). Councilperson Gill said she also has concerns about the amounts that are being spent on bingo prizes when there are so few residents participating. They are buying all kinds of laundry detergent and other household items and having huge claims for only 7-8 participants. There needs to be tracking of where these products are going and Internal Controls need to be put into place. Councilperson Gill asked if there was some event that could be held off in order to help balance the budget. Controller Metcalf stated the smaller events are being paid from the 204 Fund and the bigger events are more like the Riverstage Entertainment and activities. Councilperson Jahn stated the set of budgets were decided on and it was known that some were going to be over but that the net would still balance out. Council President Owen stated it was discussed and the budget that was presented was a huge improvement over how past budgets have been presented. Councilperson Gill stated at the end of the day it is the Council's place to defend the Budget. It seems like the events just keep getting bigger and bigger and that it is all getting out of hand. Councilperson Samuel said this is a neutral budget however this year we are using more out of EDIT and Gaming and the Council needs to decide if they are going to be okay with that. He shares Councilperson Gill's frustrations when they Council asks the Parks Department to cut some of the events and they do not do it. Councilperson Gill said that after seeing the Letter of Intent for Abby on the River she has major concerns and Parks Authority President Burns has similar concerns. Councilperson Gill asked when the contract ends for the City Partners end and it ends this year. Councilperson Gill asked if anyone else was concerned about adding in this new position to Parks. Councilperson Samuel stated his concern for the Parks Department and he is fearful that it is going to snowball out of control. Councilperson Rodriguez asked what the role was for the City Partners Manager. There is not currently a job description for this. Councilperson Gill stated she has never approved a position that did not have a job description. Council President Owen stated it sounded like there was many concerns around the Parks Department and budget. It may be beneficial to schedule a workshop with them to discuss these issues so they can better explain their budget. Councilperson Samuel stated they would be able to express their concern during this workshop and try to get a handle on Parks snowballing. We are not sure what Abby on the River is actually going to cost the City. Councilperson Samuel expressed concern to City Attorney Merkley that the every penny that is estimated in LOIT is being spent(pg.49 and 52). Councilperson Samuel also asked where the additional money was going to come from for the insurance premiums and workers comp expenses. We are going to need an additional $170,000 for workers comp. It may be that we need to hold out on hiring the new employees and ask the administration to cut out what is needed before allowing the new employees to be hired. Councilperson Jahn recommended that the administration outline the cuts. Attorney Les Merkley said that the budget is already stretched really tight and the Departments all have wants that they are currently not getting. There have been many additional appropriations throughout the year and the Council needs to get prepared for that to happen again. Council Attorney Lewis advised that the DLGF look at the budget while including the additional appropriations that were approved. Councilperson Maples questioned about the Cell Phone Stipend. Councilperson Gill pointed out that there are some departments that are going out and spending a large sum of money on cell phones and then being reimbursed for cell phone stipends. Controller Metcalf stated they are currently working on a system where the claim will not be paid unless someone actually submits the bill for a claim. Councilperson Samuel asked that Controller Metcalf find out if the Police Officers all have City provided cell phones. They do have MiFi's. Councilperson Samuel asked that Controller Metcalf ask if the Fire Department has cell phones or pagers now. Council President Owen asked if anyone had anything else they would like to discuss. Councilperson Gill asked when the next 911 meeting is. Councilperson Maples said they are working on coming up with a special meeting date now. There will be a joint meeting scheduled with the Parks Authority to go over their budget. In addition, the administration will be asked what can be done to try to offset some of the rising costs of the insurance to increase those. The Council will also get a plan from the Art Commission. Councilperson Samuel said he would not be able to have the plan for next year before this budget needs to be approved as there is only one meeting between now and then. There will be a joint workshop with the Parks Authority to discuss the budget at 5 PM. ADJOUNRMENT: With no further business of the Council, Councilperson Samuel made the motion to ADJOURN. Meeting adjourned at 7:23 P.M. APPROVED B Matt O °esid ATTEST: Vicki Conlin, Clerk