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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-08-2015 City Council Budget Meeting MinutesSTATE OF ALABAMA )( COUNTY OF BALDWIN )( The City Council met in a Budget Meeting at 4:00p.m., Delchamps Room, 161 North Section Street, 161 North Section Street, Fairhope, Alabama 36532, on Monday, 8 October 2015. Present were Council President Jack Burrell, Councilmembers: Rich Mueller, Diana Brewer, Michael A. Ford, and Kevin Boone, Mayor Timothy M. Kant, and City Clerk Lisa A. Hanks. City Attorney Marion E. Wynne was absent. Council President Burrell called the meeting to order at 4:00p.m. and briefly mentioned what had already been discussed at the September 28, 2015 Budget Meeting. He mentioned that the Recycling Committee is still recommending single stream and his main concern is we need a buyer for the materials. Salaries were mentioned and that Council President Burrell, Councilmember Boone, and Mayor Kant had met for approximately three hours regarding the revisions, new hires, how to deal with the two percent cost of living for employees, Police Officer grades, and any recommended grades or positions needing moved. Council President Burrell stated that any employees who have maxed out their pay range will get the cost of living as part of the one-time pay increase. Mayor Kant said that in a couple of years we are looking out having an outside company redo the compensation plan study as recommended by the Personnel Board. The ordinances for Electric, Gas, Water, and Sewer with the Labor Cost Adjustment were briefly discussed by Council President Burrell. He said this will be a portion of the total cost for utilities. Mayor Kant stated this is a way to help with increases without hurting the residents on a fixed income. The Community Development Budget was discussed next. Councilmember Brewer recommended reducing the Baldwin County Board of Education's appropriation of $350,000 by $5,000; and donating to Care House, Inc. which would be given back to the schools through the Baldwin County Child Advocacy Center. The following were recommended additions to this budget: Veteran's Memorial Cemetery Signage for $3,000; Senior Bowl for $35,000; and Fairhope Cycling Project for $20,000. The Pedestrian and Bicycle Committee is recommending the City of Fairhope to help with an ADECA grant for the Fairhope Cycling Project. This is a grant for $100,000 with a $20,000 match. The consensus for the City Council was to add this to the budget. Budget Meeting Monday, 8 October 2015 Page -2- Angus Cooper, Chairman of the Senior Bowl, addressed the City Council regarding the request for an appropriation of $35,000 to help sponsor the week's activities including the pre-game practices. He mentioned the NFL Football Camp that is held for children who cannot afford to go to the other camps; Senior Bowl Charities with recipients in this area; camps for minorities; and after school tutors. Councilmember Ford said this is a worthwhile program for the City. Council President Burrell commented he has served on the Senior Bowl Committee and has a Senior Bowl MVP trophy of his dad's; and proposed an appropriation of $10,000 to $20,000. Councilmember Brewer proposed $25,000 for the appropriation. Councilmember Boone said we need to support this and do not want to lose have the pre-game practices. Councilmember Mueller said this is as big as Arts and Crafts for our kids, so we should give $30,000. Council President Burrell commented that this will be an expansion for government with an additional line. item each year. After further discussion, the majority agreed to appropriate $35,000 for the Senior Bowl. Council President Burrell brought up the Library appropriation and their budget. He said the City of Fairhope gives an additional $155,181.30 in utilities each year along with an approximate $800,000 in insurance premiums and these costs are not on their presented budget. The IT Budget and the Police Budget were briefly mentioned. Debt reduction was the last item to be by Council President Burrell. He stated that the proposed reduction for this year is $4.6 million. On June 1, 2016, there will be a $2.0 million reduction in principal payment of the 2007 GOW; and then look into refinancing the remaining balance at a lower interest rate. He commented the City Council in four years will have reduced the City's debt by 25 percent. Mayor Kant explained the recommendations for the budget changes. There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting was duly adjourned at 5:40p.m.