HomeMy WebLinkAboutBudget Workshop Sept. 25, 2014JEFFERSONVILLE CITY COUNCIL BUOGET WORKSHOP
Tuesday, September 25, 2014-
Council
014Council Chambers
The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville met in a budget workshop on Wednesday,
September 25, 2014_ Council President Julius called the meeting to order at 6:00PM and
members present were: Councilperson Samuel, Councilperson Sellers, Councilperson Payne,
Council Vice President Gill, Councilperson Smith, Councilperson Glover, Councilperson Owen,
and Councilperson Zastawny_
Also present were: Council Attorney Scott Lewis, Corporate Attorney Les Merkley, Controller
Amy leering, Assistant Controller Heather Metcalf, Building Commissioner Larry Wallace, IT
Director Matt Oyer, and City Court Judge Ken Pierce.
Law Department
Corporate Attorney Merkley stated that the only increase in the Law Department is $2,500 for
Advertisement. Mr. Merkley explained that his department has to run advertisements in
publications for hearings and public hearings. They currently have to track down the
appropriate department to pay the bill for the advertising and it would be a lot easier to just
have his office pay the bill when it comes in. Council members agreed with this increase.
Board of Public Works
Mr. Merkley stated that the only significant line item is the new City Share for $500,000 and
this is the non-LOIT portion of the 911 payment_ Mr_ Merkley explained that this isn't an
increase, they are just moving money over from the dispatchers and the police to help offset
their payment for 911 making the overall net increase for 911 $300,000_ Council discussed
taking the $500,000 out of the General Fund and placing it under LOIT and Council members
agreed to make this change_ Councilperson Sellers made a motion to zero out the $500,000
from the BPW City Share line item and move the money to LOIT allowing the entire cost of 911
to come out of LOIT, with Councilperson Smith seconding, PASSING on a vote of 9-0.
Vice President Gill stated that the Stenographer line item needs to be removed due to the State
Statute stating payment cannot be made when minutes are taken during City time_
President Julius questioned the increase in the Postage line item and recommended lowering
the budgeted amount from $40,000 to $30,000.
Council questioned the Professional Services line item and Ms. Deering stated that it was for
ProMedia and Vice President Gill stated that they weren't going to do that again, explaining
that they had workshops where they discussed removing ProMedia only to have the BPW put it
back in the budget. Mr_ Merkley stated that the contract between ProMedia and the BPW is for
monthly Video and News Releases (VNR) only. Mr. Merkley stated that the BPW used the
money that they already had in their budget for the VNR_ President Julius recommended
moving Professional Services to the Parks Department for further review. Councilperson Smith
made a motion to move Professional Services, $52,370, to the Park's Department, with Vice
President Gill seconding_
Councilperson Smith
Councilperson Zastawny
Councilperson Payne
Councilperson Sellers
Vice President Gill
President Julius
Councilperson Glover
Councilperson Owen
Councilperson Samuel
Aye Nay
x
x
x
x
After the roll call votes, the motion to move the Professional Services line item, $52,370, from
BPW to the Park's Department PASSED on a vote of 6-3.
Council questioned Contractual Services line item for $30,000 with Ms. Deering explaining that
it was for the Homeless Task Force Contract. This contract is a one-year contract with $15,000
from Council and $15,000 from Redevelopment.
Councilperson Samuel made a motion to remove the Contractual Services for Homeless for
2015, with Councilperson Sellers seconding.
Aye Nay
Councilperson Smith x
Councilperson Zastawny x
Councilperson Payne x
Councilperson Sellers x
Vice President Gill x
President Julius x
Councilperson Glover x
Councilperson Owen x
Councilperson Samuel x
After the roll call votes, the motion PASSED on a vote of 9-0.
Mayor
Mr. Merkley stated that there are no increases in the Mayor's budget. President Julius asked
why there was $100 in Overtime and $87 in Professional Services and Mr. Merkley stated that
he has no idea why they are in the budget and should both be taken out. Councilperson
Zastawny made a motion to APPROVE the Mayor's budget with the deletions, with
Councilperson Payne seconding, PASSING on a vote of 9-0.
Building Commissioner
Mr. Wallace stated that the title Secretary should not be listed on the Building Commissioner's
budget. Councilperson Sellers stated that they will be pulling the $35,000 in his Vehicles line
item for 2015 and place it into Capital Expenditures. Councilperson Sellers advised Mr. Wallace
to follow the ordinance that's in place regarding the purchase of vehicles and also bring any
purchase requests to the Finance meeting. Mr. Wallace indicated that he raised the Uniforms
line item from $800 to $1,500 for 2015. Councilperson Samuel made a motion to APPROVE the
budget with the changes, with Vice President Sellers seconding, PASSING on a vote of 9-0.
Building Authority
Mr. Wallace stated that there are no changes to the budget and hopes that they won't have the
major expenses that they had last year on the (City Hall) building. Councilperson Payne made a
motion to APPROVE the budget, with Councilperson Owen seconding. Councilperson Samuel
asked Mr. Wallace if there will be additional expenses due to the Police Department moving to
another building and asked if the Improvements line items would cover any of that type of
expense for remodeling and Mr. Wallace stated that it could, but those expenses will probably
be taken out of the Reserve Fund. President Julius explained that as the building (City Hall)
ages, more money will be needed to keep up with its repairs, so money should be kept in a
reserve fund and continue to build it up over the years. After discussion, the motion PASSED on
a vote of 9-0.
IT Department
Mr. Dyer stated that his budget has increased $52,875 in the Software/Hardware line item for
2015, due to the fact that he is looking to go to virtualization of the servers. Mr. Dyer explained
that once he gets more details on this new hardware, he will present it to the Council.
Mr. Dyer stated that the Part Time line item is an error and should have been taken out a long
time ago. Councilperson Samuel questioned the Contractual Services and Training line items
noting that they haven't been used much in 2014. Mr. Dyer explained that the costs fluctuate
on contractual services as does training for new software. Mr. Dyer stated that he likes to keep
this money available, but if the money doesn't get used, the funds go back to Council.
Councilperson Sellers made the motion to APPROVE the budget for 2015, with Councilperson
Payne seconding, PASSING on a vote of 9-0.
Finance Department
Ms. Deering stated that the major change in the Finance budget is the reduction in the
Equipment line item due to the payoff of the BSA and the timekeeping moving to Ms. Calabro in
Human Resources. Councilperson Sellers suggested an increase of $1,500 in the Training line
item raising it to $3,000.
Ms. Metcalf stated that next year they will not have to advertise the full budget as they have in
the past since it can be accessed on the DLGF Gateway website, which will be a huge savings in
the advertising budget line item.
Councilperson Owen made a motion to APPROVE the budget for 2015 as amended, with
Councilperson Samuel seconding, PASSING on a vote of 9-0.
City Council
Councilperson Samuel suggested taking the Concerts in the Parks line item and raise it from
$9,000 to $10,000, explaining that they have little budget to work with and they draw huge
crowds.
President Julius suggested also raising Jeff Main Street's line item from $29,000 to $35,000
explaining that they do a lot of good work for the City of Jeffersonville.
Councilperson Samuel asked Ms. Deering to confirm that she will be adding a line item for all
the things they're moving (Performance Pool and Capital) to the Council's budget and will total
that amount for their review and Ms. Deering stated she would do so. Councilperson Samuel
explained that it is his understanding that the Performance Increase Pool line item for each
department is to be pulled out of each budget and placed under City Council to keep
departments from distributing raises before they should.
Councilperson Owen stated that he would rather wait for further information on the Council's
budget before voting on it and the rest of the Council agreed.
Cum Cap
Councilperson Samuel requested the line item called Improvements -Beautification be renamed
Public Arts. Councilperson Sellers asked Councilperson Samuel if Public Arts intends to have
fundraisers like Beautification does in order to help support themselves. Councilperson Sellers
explained that since Council asks the other groups to have fundraisers, it's only fair to ask the
same of the Public Arts Committee. Councilperson Samuel stated that the Arts Administrator
was supposed to be in charge of fundraising, but that hasn't happened. Councilperson Samuel
explained that the four -member committee is unable to handle the fundraising so the future
plan is to hire a City employee to be the Arts Administrator who would have the responsibility
of fundraising.
Councilperson Glover suggested the line item be renamed Improvements-Beautification/Public
Arts rather than just Public Arts. Councilperson Sellers made a motion to APPROVE the line item
name change from Improvements -Beautification to Improvements-Beautification/Public Arts,
with Vice President Gill seconding, PASSING on a vote of 9-0.
City Court
President Julius asked Judge Pierce why he has taken his personal salary from $54,325.92 to
$36,400 and Judge Pierce explained that he met with SBOA Charlie Pride and Mr. Robertson
who confirmed that he could take some burden off of the General Fund by taking 2/3 of his
salary from the General Fund and 1/3 from the Probation Department. Judge Pierce stated that
he has done this previously and that they agreed this was more than okay to do. Judge Pierce
explained that in mid -2012, he had a meeting with Mr. Pride, Mr. Robertson and (he believes)
Ms. Conlin and they agreed that it was okay to do the 2/3 and 1/3 and it was okay to move
some of his General Fund staff to the Probations User Fund staff. Judge Pierce stated that this is
dollars saved that can be taken out of the General Fund and used to hire extra officers. Judge
Pierce stated he received approval in the past and it's his position tonight to request the
Council do the same for 2015.
Councilperson Sellers stated that when she attended the exit interview with SBOA officials
Chris, Mayme and Karen, they specifically stated that some of the PUF Funds had not been used
correctly.
Judge Pierce stated that he would be happy to sit down with Mr. Pride, Mr. Robertson and a
member of the Council to discuss. Councilperson Sellers stated that she is going to defer to
Council Attorney Scott Lewis.
Attorney Lewis stated that the Indiana Supreme Court decision trumps anything else that the
SBOA might say. Attorney Lewis read the following case to the City Council members that
clearly states how the PUF Funds can be used:
The statute affirmatively sets forth the purposes for which money in the fund is to be
spent to "supplement adult probation services" and to "supplement the salaries of probation
officers." And it prohibits spending on anything else, including an explicit prohibition on
"replac(ing) other funding of probation services."
The legislative intent here is unmistakable. The money in the fund may only be used to
"supplement," i.e., to fund new, or increases in existing, probation services and to fund increases
in the salaries of probation officers. It may not be used as the source of funding for probation
services previously paid from other sources.
Second, as described in footnote one, supra, the statute also authorizes a "local
supplemental adult probation services fund" where city or town courts have adult probation
services programs. I.C. § 35-38-2-1(g). This money is subject to exactly the same provisions as
that in a county supplemental adult probation services fund, including the provision that money
not revert at the end of the year — with one exception. Any money remaining in the local
supplemental adult probation services fund at the end of the local fiscal year in a county with a
population of more than 182,790, but less than 200,000, "may be appropriated by the city or
town fiscal body to the city or town court for use by the court for purposes determined by the
fiscal body." Id. § 1(j). Only where the local supplemental adult probation services fund of a city
or town court in Elkhart County has an unexpended balance, and only at the end of the year,
may the money be spent for purposes other than supplementing probation services or probation
officer salaries. The limited nature of this exception again illustrates how narrowly the
Legislature viewed the grant of spending authority.
Attorney Lewis stated that if Council passes Judge Pierce's budget the way he is advocating, it
will be in violation of the Indiana Supreme Court decision. Judge Pierce stated that he knows
that his budget is going to be turned down by the Council, he just wants to make his position
clear that he is trying to save money. President Julius stated that Council wants to save money
as much as anyone, but Judge Pierce needs to appreciate the fact that if the Council's attorney
is telling them they shouldn't do it, they aren't going to go against him. Judge Pierce stated that
he feels like he is getting some "do as I say, not as I do" and apologized to the Council. •
Councilperson Sellers asked if there was an error in the Travel and Mileage line item since it had
increased from $1,000 to $54,000 for 2015. Judge Pierce stated that the money in that line item
had previously been used for the "Lunch with Judge Pierce Program" where middle school
children visit City Hall, ride in a Police Car, meet the Mayor and go to lunch with the Judge.
Judge Pierce stated that this line item also pays for gas and mileage to bring prisoners over
from the jail and then Anne Langley in the Police Department gives him a breakdown of all the
costs and stated that this is "once again him trying to save the City money any way possible
explaining that it's a way of getting $54,000 back into the General Fund". Councilperson Sellers
stated that the money the Judge is referring to was brought before the Council by Anne Langley
when she was Council President and it was $40,000 for the bailiff, the officer who transported
prisoners and the officer who stayed in the court; however, Judge Pierce has changed his bailiff
to Stacy Kelly. Judge Pierce explained that the officers transport the prisoners, Stacy Kelly is his
bailiff.
Councilperson Smith asked the Council if they should keep Judge Pierce's 2015 budget the same
as the 2014 budget until all of these issues can be resolved. Councilperson Sellers stated that
she recommends keeping the PUF Funds the same as they were last year and keep the
Probation Officers increases as last year with the 51/49 split.
Judge Pierce stated that Ms. Kelly's salary is statutory - the same as the Probation Officers.
Judge Pierce suggested a non -reverting fund that could be used for Probation type purposes
such as prevention and education. Judge Pierce stated that kids who attend his "Lunch with
Judge Pierce Program" will hopefully not become criminals, and the student resources officer
coming in to help also falls under prevention (law enforcement).
Councilperson Samuel asked Judge Pierce if there were any other increases in his budget and he
stated that per state statute, his bailiff is to be paid pursuant to the salary of a starting law
enforcement officer. Councilperson Sellers stated that we need to get an opinion on this
statute. Mr. Lewis disagreed with Judge Pierce's interpretation of the state statute for his
bailiff's pay. Judge Pierce stated that he hasn't received proof or opinion explaining why it's not
proper.
Judge Pierce stated that he objects that Mr. Lewis is advising this Council on fiscal issues when
he advises the County Council on fiscal issues as well stating that fiscal decisions in this building
inextricably affects the County budget. Judge Pierce stated that as a tax payer, he felt that he
had to voice his concern about the conflict.
Councilperson Glover made a motion to revert the City Court's budget back to 2014, and
whatever the state statute says is a requirement in raising salaries for the Probation Officers,
we do so for 2015, and also appropriate this money in the future, with Councilperson Sellers
seconding, PASSING on a vote of 9-0.
Judge Pierce asked the Council if they would like for him to forward the bailiff's statute to them
for their review and they stated yes, and asked him to be sure Attorney Lewis also gets a copy.
Councilperson Smith asked to make a couple of comments relating to the previous budget
workshop:
Would like for Chief Eric Hedrick to get some additional quotes for the SCBA's stating that it is
too much money to simply give to one company without first getting quotes.
Also, would like for him to provide an itemized list of the improvements to Station #3.
President Julius requested Councilperson Smith to relay these messages to Chief Hedrick.
Councilperson Owen made a motion to ADJOURN at 7:50pm with Councilperson Glover
seconding, PASSING on a vote of 9-0.
Vicki Conlin, Clerk
Dennis Julius resident