HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-05-2002 WorkshopMinutes of the Jeffersonville City Council Workshop
Tuesday, September 5, 2002
The Common Council of the City of Jeffersonville met in Workshop session on
Thursday, September 5, 2002 at 6:30 P.M. The meeting was held in the City County
Building Room 308. Council President Denny Frantz called the meeting to order at 6:40
P.M. Other Council members in attendance were, Les Merkley, Ron Ellis, Rob Waiz,
Barbara Wilson, and Ron Grooms. Councilpersons Vicki Conlin was absent.
Fire Department Chief Mike Smith appeared before the Council to discuss the "buy-out"
of Firefighters. He explained when a firefighter retires, he has several accumulated days
of pay. The City is to pay firefighters upon retirement, sick days, vacation days,
holidays, etc. There is a limit to the number of accumulated days. Chief Smith does not
know a dollar mount for certain. This may affect one or two flrefighters per year. Chief
Smith has placed a sufficient mount in the 2003 budget to cover these costs (under
personal services). Most firefighters up for these funds are up for retirement because of
medical reasons.
Chief Smith briefly discussed the possibility of the City building a new fire station in the
next one or two years. This facility will also include a police substation on
approximately 2 acres of property near Highway 62 and I265.
Information Technology Director Richard Davis appeared before the Council to discuss
capital expenditures from the Cumulative Capital Development Fund. Mr. Davis would
like to purchase new sofhvare for document imaging for all departments. Mr. Davis also
discussed hosting our own web page. He also suggested the city could eventually charge
for information obtained from the web pages of the City. Mr. Davis distributed a sheet of
information entitled "WEBLINK". Mr. Davis asked that the Council fund for capital
purchases in the amount of $39,666. Mr. Davis discussed the fact that some departments
already have their own web sites and these all need to be merged and combined.
Councilperson Merkley stressed the need for an updated web site. Council President
Frantz discussed his surprise that more cooperation has not been seen in the development
of information technology among the various departments.
The consensus was that $39,318 be set aside in the Cumulative Capital Development
budget for 2003. These items would include $21,118 for web page start up and $18,200
for document imaging. Director Davis thanked the Council for their help and in
providing fimding for his department in the 2002 budget.
Councilperson Waiz notified the Council that Park Superintendent Rick Elliott was
invited to this meeting. No word was heard from him and he was not in attendance.
There was general discussion among the Council following with questions regarding
excess spending in the Parks Department and the new facilities in the Parks system, and
the new Aquatic Center. Councilperson Waiz suggested that Mr. Elliott appear at the
next Council workshop on September 9, 2002. Councilperson Waiz will contact
Superintendent Elliott.
Other items of discussion followed including fuel, landfill costs, and the Sanitation
budget, and the Vehicle Maintenance budget. Councilperson Grooms informed the
Council that gasoline and fuel costs will exceed the 2002 budgeted mount by several
thousand dollars. Councilperson Wilson suggested that a limit should be put on excess
mileage for personal use by employees with take-home cars.
Discussion followed regarding the overall budget increases for 2003 and the need to
control spending where possible. Councilperson Ellis stressed the problems include
excess spending, uncontrolled and hiring of new employees.
Council President Frantz cautioned the Council regarding too much concern is placed on
an increase in the tax rate. The impact on the average citizen will not be as bad as it
appears.
Councilperson Ellis reminded the Council that spending continues to escalate and hiring
of new employees continues. Councilperson Wilson voiced her concern about too many
employees. Councilperson Ellis would vote against the City hiring its own sanitation
workers.
Councilperson Merkley says to review health insurance costs, liquidate some equipment
owned by the City, and cease all non-essential projects. He opposes the Council raising
taxes to the maximum levy. He also suggested flat rate salary increases and not a
percentage rate increase. Councilperson Ellis voiced his objection to going to the
maximum levy and his favoring a flat rate increase for employees.
Councilperson Merkley questioned the Council singling out one employee and he is
concerned about not giving the City Attorney a salary increase.
General discussion continued regarding raises and salary adjustments for 2003.
Discussion continued regarding no salary increases for department heads and to give flat
rate increases to other employees.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:09 P.M. The next meeting will be a workshop on
September 9, at 6:30 P.M.
By Ron Groom, Councilperson
ATTEST:
~0U~N~IL p~S'iDEN-T.~ FRANTZ
CLERK TREASURER PEGGY WILDER