Present:
Mayor Lou Colosimo
Councilmembers: Roy A. Nikas, Betty P. Wheeler, Joe L. Piccolo, Stephen L. Denison
Vernon W. Jones (Adminis. Ass't.), Joanne Lessar (City Recorder), Pat Larsen (Finance
Director), Aleck Shilaos (Chief of Police)
Absent and Excused: Steve Bringhurst
1. MAYOR PROTEMPORE - Councilmember Roy A. Nikas
MOTION. As Mayor Colosimo was absent the first part of the meeting,
Councilmember Wheeler moved that Councilmember Nikas be appointed Mayor Protempore. Motion
seconded by Councilmember Piccolo and carried.
2. BUDGET SESSION - FY1997/98
Mayor Protem Nikas turned the time over to Pat Larsen to begin review of the budget for
FY1997/98. Pat reported that the total estimated earnings is $2,794,586, and benefits are
$1,256,369. As the budget now stands, it is $1.7 million over. She presented the following
changes that increases personnel costs $316,200.
Retirement - $15,200
Insurance - 22,800
COLA - 77,200
Wage adj. - 41,400
New positions - 119,400
Overtime Incr.- 23,600
Benefit Incr. - 16,600
Due to fluctuating Utah State Retirement rates, and the differences between Contributory
and Non-contributory and Public Safety and other employees, Pat indicated that retirement
benefits are inconsistent and range from 17.9% to 20.74%. Several years ago, retirement
benefits were set at 17.9%. If the Council were to set the rate at 17.9% effective with
the 97/98 budget for each employee, it would save $25,000. The Council discussed several
alternatives, but no decision was reached.
Overtime costs and merit increases were discussed. Councilmember Wheeler recommended
changing the word "merit" to salary adjustments. Pat Larsen stated that the
committee assigned to review merit increases is recommending that all employees receive an
increase unless they have a bad evaluation or reprimand letters in their personnel files.
The recommended increase is anywhere from 1% to 4%, or each department would be given a
certain amount and the supervisor would determine how it is to be divided.
The Council discussed reclassifications and salary adjustments and what the reasons were
behind their requests. They questioned if positions changed from one year to another?
Performance increases were reviewed. The Council felt that reclassifications should be
approved, but that salary adjustments be placed on hold until the merit committee has made
a recommendation.
The Council again discussed retirement benefits and the recommendation to cap them at
17.9%. They discussed the 5% increase ($22,800) in medical benefits and directed Pat to
provide a study on both employees and their dependents.
Meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m.