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Home My WebLink About07-15-2010 Regular MeetingCommittee: Date & Time: Place: Subject: Public Meeting Notice Budget Committee Thursday, July 15, 2010 at 1 :00 p.m. Delchamps Room 161 North Section Street Continuation Departmental Budget Presentation from July 14, 2010 Notice must be stamped, dated and initialed before posted on bulletin board. D~TE CM« @~ SIGNATURE STATE OF ALABAMA )( COUNTY OF BALDWIN )( The Budget Committee met at 1 :00 p .m., City Hall , Delchamps Room, 161 North Section Street, Fairhope , Alabama 36532 , on Thursday, 15 July 2010. Present were: Stan Grubin, Chairman Members: Lonnie Mixon, Charles Zunk and Pam Caudill Gregg Mims , James Gillespie , Nancy Wilson , and Rose Fogarty were also present. Stan Grubin called the meeting to order at 1 :00 p .m. 1) City Administrator Gregg Mims briefly went over the Administrative Budget. The following items were questioned: Legal Fees , Write-offs , Mileage Reimbursement for Mayor Kant, and Other Post Employment Benefits "OPEB." Mr. Zunk strongly recommended that the four Funds pay $50 ,000 per month to fund the OPEB obligation. Set up a special account for the $600 ,000 liability. Mr. Mims commented we need to set a date to cut new emplo yees from receiving the retirement benefit. Mr. Grubin questioned the Library Debt of $146 ,456 and said this needs to be addressed . Mr. Zunk replied it would be wrong to curtail our appropriations and some of the pledges are not able to pay their pledge. Departments have cut and we still maintain services to citizens. City Treasurer Nancy Wilson stated that she was told the Library Budget was almost complete. Mac Mccawley stated the Fairhope Single Tax Corporation gives $70 ,000 per year for the Library Debt. Lonnie Mixon commented that transfers from the Utilities needs to be kept at 60%. Mr . Zunk agreed with the transfer percentage and to budget no more than the last year 's budget. Mr. Mims stated that the major things to look at would be Park and Recreation fees , outsourcing garbage , and fees at the Golf Course . Mr. Mixon said that travel for Council could be cut unless emergency. 2) Rose Fogarty, Financial Reporting Manager, briefly discussed Re venue from real estate taxes, sales and use taxes , and State of Alabama. 3) James Gillespie , General Superintendent, discussed the Golf Budget and explained that the revenue did include the proposed raised fees . The Pro Shop Sales line item was questioned ; and Mr. Mi x on questioned the clubhouse salaries. Budget Committee Thursday , 15 July 2010 Page-2- City Clerk Lisa Hanks left the meeting at 3 :03 p .m. and Assistant City Clerk Candace Antinarella continued the recording of the minutes . Mr. Mixon stated the golf course needs to at least break even. 4) Mr. Zunk discussed an option that includes the Fire Department spending their portion of the Impact Fees on the fire station. Ms. Wilson said that it would show as an expense but there will not be revenue shown. Mr. Zunk said if the Fire Department chooses to use the money in the Impact Fees , it should be shown in the budget. 5) Mr. Grubin proposed cutting the "training/school" category by 10% or $60 ,000 . Mr . Zunk does not feel that the training money is being misused although it should be cut for elected officials and the Mayor. Ms . Caudill emphasized that employees need additional education and training . Mr. Zunk said the Mayor has obligations and needs the training. Mr. Mims mentioned putting a cap on the training amount, but also mentioned that a number of employees are members of associations pertinent to their jobs and we must pay those as well as training for a particular job, such as the police department. 6) Mr. Zunk discussed Senior Services and suggested the implementation of fewer hours at the Nix Center as well as changing the fees and discontinuing the shuttle . Ms . Caudill said that all of Ms. Sullivan 's capital items are needed. 7) Tamara Dean arrived to discuss the Library budget. Ms. Dean stated that she is making changes to have more business and more income. She is asking for an additional 10% from the City . The library has about 2,300 card holders and a total of 21 employees . When asked about the numerous fundraisers for the library , Ms . Dean stated that the library gets a small amount to buy supplies. For the 21 employees , she is asking for a 5.3% raise for each. Mr. Zunk made a motion to start the 2010-2011 year with the same budget as 2009-2010 , seconded by Mr. Mixon and motion passed unanimously . 8) Public Works was discussed including the costs of flowers. Mr. Zunk said the City can only control the money allotted through the budget and it is up to Jennifer Fidler to figure out how to spend it. Mr. Mixon made a motion to reduce the flower budget from $250 ,000 to $200 ,000. Mr. Zunk seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. ,f Budget Committee Thursday , 15 July 2010 Page-3- Mr. Zunk told Department Heads he needed a bullet list of items. He also recommended the Budget Committee meet again on July 22 , 2010 at 1 :00 p .m. to look at all changes. There being no further business to come before the Budget Committee , the meeting was duly adjourned at 4 :45 p .m. ~ / Stan Grubin , Chairman ~vY.aa11n~ Candace G. Antinarella, Assistant City Clerk