City Council Budget Workshop
April 28, 2008
Reconvened from April 24, 2008 Meeting
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley called this Reconvened Council Workshop Meeting.
Roll call showed present: Council Member Mary Burgan, Council Member Mike Walker, Council Member David Wood and Mayor Mary Jane Chesley. Absent: Council Member Shirilyn Holt.
City Manager Ron Neibert stated that when Council last met they had looked at all the department budgets and began looking at the General Corp Revenue. Mr. Neibert stated that there are still questions regarding the Capital Expenditures.
Discussion was held regarding the Capital Expenditures for Buildings and Structures. One item was the possible purchase of property for a new Public Works/Public Utilities Building for $175,000.00. This would be financed.
A Server for the Police Department was discussed as a Capital item. A mower and pool vacuum for the Park Department was on their list.
Public Works had several items on their list of Capital items. A hot mix patcher, a Roto Miller to mill the streets. Two tandem pickup trucks. Two three-ton dump trucks.
The Police Department has asked for a video security system for the offices and laptop computers for the vehicles. The funds for the Lincoln Statue were discussed. Three new squad cars.
The local share of the Downtown ITEP Grant was discussed.
Discussion was held regarding the outlook if Council was to pass raises on the water,sewer and trash amounts. 10% and 12% increases were figured to show the result they would have on the revenue. Council discussed the 12% increase, it’s results and the revenue it would bring in. Where it would still leave us as far as what has already been spent in the years before that left us in the hole in Public Utilities. Council also discussed a 3% increase for a few years to cover the
shortages in the funds. It was decided that trash pickup would be raised to $8.86 per month to reflect the amount that the City is being charged.
Discussion was held regarding the things and amounts that could possibly be financed. The length of time that they could be or should be financed was discussed.
Several scenarios of funding were discussed. Purchases and payments were discussed.
Council discussed the amounts of water bought from Rend Lake versus the amount of water charged back to customers. There is a big shortfall and Council wonders where the extra water goes. Discussion was held regarding the possibility of large leaks in the system and trying to find them with the camera. The large leak in the reservoir was discussed and how much water could have been lost on that one leak because it did not show up. Discussion was held regarding a monthly or quarterly check on how much water is purchased and how much is sold.
Council discussed gas tax, the 1/4 % sales tax that was put on for the high school a few years ago and other funding. The gas tax was a home rule tax. Mayor Chesley spoke regarding to a hiring freeze. A sincere effort to show we are cutting back things if we are going to raise the fees. Discussion was held regarding the EMS calls and the costs. Some of the costs are for the W/C and the EMS calls seem to generate a lot of W/C injuries. Discussion was held regarding the number of employees.
Council discussed closing the pool to save money, as it does not pay its own way. It is going to cost a lot to get it ready for this year even. The cost of help, electricity, chemicals, etc was discussed for the pool.
Discussion was held regarding the $1.00 extra room charge at the hotel/motels. Council stated that it would be travelers paying this charge, not residents. The amount of revenue it would bring in was discussed. The possibility of making it a 1% charge rather than the straight $1.00 was discussed.
Mayor Chesley adjourned this Budget Workshop Meeting at 6:15 p.m.