April 3, 1995, 3:00 p.m.
Present:
Mayor Lou Colosimo
Councilmembers:
James L. Jensen, L. Lamond Williams, Theressa O. Frandsen, L. Janet
(Jan) Oliveto, Roy Nikas
Vern Jones (Adminis. Ass't.), Joanne Lessar (City
Recorder), Pat Larsen (Finance Director), Cobb
Johnson (Public Works Dir.)
1. BUDGET REVIEW - FY1995/96
Pat Larsen presented the proposed budget for FY1995/96, indicating it was
out of balance by $1,700,000. The Council discussed the portion of the budget pertaining
to personnel. The amount of overtime during the past year increased from 4200 hours to
6500 hours, which also increased benefits by $24,000. It was felt this is due to the
cut-back in personnel. Pat reviewed the departments with the most overtime. The Council
discussed ways to reduce overtime, such as changing schedules, days off, and shift work.
Pay scales between the minimum and mid range were reviewed. A few
employees fall below the 100% range, but most were right at or a little over mid range.
Included in the budget is a 2.8% cost of living totaling $65,200, new positions totaling
$137,200 and $80,900 for reclassifications and merit adjustments. The $80,900 amount
includes the cost of living increase. The above increases amount to $283,300 of the
proposed budget. Wages and benefits amount to $3,683,000 of the total budget. It was
recommended to increase the cost of living 3% and come up with a percentage for merit
increases and reclassifications. It was recommended that supervisors recommending merit
increases and reclassifications for their employees, determine justification for these
increases and write a memo to the Council to that effect. The Council also recommended
implementing an evaluation program.
The Council discussed requested positions in the following departments:
Police - One full time officer (75% of costs will be paid
by a grant)
Streets - One part time laborer
Weeds - Three part time laborers
Shop - One part time mechanic
Library - One full time Program Director
Electric - One full time electrician
Safety Director
It was recommended that instead of hiring new employees in the Weed
Department, that a contractor be hired to spray the weeds.
The list of capital projects and major expenditures in each department
were reviewed. Several requested items totaling $1,193,500 were deleted from the budget.
Pat informed the Council that the proposed budget includes a transfer of $1,170,000 from
the Electric Department to the General Fund. This is a difference of $300,000 that was
transferred in last year's budget. Instead of $60,000 for merit increases, it was
recommended that this amount be reduced to $30,000. After reductions in personnel and
capital projects, the budget now stands out of balance by approximately $500,000. The
Council directed that another budget session be held to discuss further reductions.
Meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.