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HomeMy WebLinkAbout88 0718 minCITY COUNCIL BUDGET WORK SESSION JULY 18, 1988 6:30 P.M. CONFERENCE ROOM CITY HALL MINUTES The Plainview City Council met in Budget Work Session, on Monday, July 18, 1988, at 6:30 P.M. in the Conference Room of City Hall, with Mayor E.V. Ridlehuber presiding. The following Councilmembers were present: Alton Jackson, Terry Clements, Bobby James, Barbara Dorman, Junior Brown, Don Dickson and Ross Owen. Staff present were: James P. Jeffers, City Manager and Norman Huggins, Director of Finance. News media present: Richard Orr - Plainview Daily Herald. Guest present: Gina Billington. RESERVES. The General Fund Summary showed $4,969,318.00 in Revenues and Expenditures of $4,966,131.00, with an excess of Revenues over Expenditures of $3,187.00. The beginning balance on September 30, 1988, was projected at $836,000.00 showing total Reserves of $839,187.00. Per previous instructions approximately $372,000.00 of those Reserves would be designated in the 1/2% sales tax Reserve Fund leaving unencumbered anticipated Reserves of $467,187.00. It was noted that the North Quincy Paving Project could substantially deplete anticipated Reserves, with said Project having an estimated cost of $230,534.00. Council was reminded the City is pursuing the paving of the South Quincy Project with an unknown cost as well as the need for the paving of the South Ennis Project which would cost the City approximately $60,000.00. TAX RATE. The Council was informed by the City Manager that the current tax rate is $.59 cents, and the effective tax rate, based on information prepared by the Appraisal District, as of July 12, 1988, would be $.46 cents. The Budget showed a tax rate based on $.45 cents, which was the previously prepared figure by the Appraisal District. It was noted that $.01 of tax would generate approximately $37,000.00. If the City Council wishes to increase taxes by 3%, that would generate an additional 1.38 cents. If the Council wished to adjust the rate by 8% it would generate an additional 3.68 cents. PERSONNEL. The Council was informed that the cost to implement 100% of the SMC personnel audit in the General Fund would be $150,000.00. GENERAL FUND REVENUES. The Council requested that the 1/2% optional sales tax revenues be shown separately in the Budget, the 1 of 6 O0 114 Council also requested historical information on the Cable T.V. franchise fees. Total General Fund Revenues are down approximately 3.6% attributed primarily to the 1/2% optional sales tax "windfall" in the 1987-88 Fiscal Year. GENERAL FUND EXP~ previous fiscal ye provide informatio] fringe benefits bas CITY COUNCIL Budg( fiscal year attri] scheduled. CITY MANAGER Budge~ ~ITURES are up approximately 7.9% over the ~ar. Councilman James requested that staff 1 on the "fluctuation" in the percentage of sd on the salaries paid. ~t showed a decrease of 3.8% over the last )uted primarily to no capital outlay being showed an increase over the previous fiscal year of approximately 3% due primarily to an increase in health insurance and the budgeting of $1,065.00 for a computer terminal and table. NON-DEPARTMENTAL Budget showed a decrease over the previous fiscal year of approximately 3/10 of 1%. The Budget ACcount 6506 on personnel training needed to be reviewed and possibly reduced by about $5,000.00. It was called to the Council's attention that the Master Plan continuation showed $37,900.00 being allocated out of Account 6527 and that an additional $12,500.00 was allocated out of Account 6560 for economic development activities thru the Plainview Industrial Foundation. MUNICIPAL COURT Budget showed a decrease of approximately 2.1% over the previous fiscal year, due primarily to the acquisition of software, for the computer, in that department in the last fiscal year. LEGAL DEPARTMENT Budget showed a decrease over the previous fiscal year of approximately 17%, due primarily to the special legal services account. City staff advised the City Council that the accounts in special legal services would have to be reviewed for both the current and upcoming fiscal year, and adjustments made due to the Alexander Litigation. It was noted that $6,000.00 had been allocated for the acquisition of a personal computer and software in that department. The City Manager advised the Council that a request for a part-time law clerk, to cost $5,000.00, had been disapproved administratively, while the legal department reviews other alternatives for financing said request, possibly thru assuming the collection of delinquent taxes. FINANCE DEPARTMENT Budget showed an increase of 2% over the previous fiscal year due primarily to health insurance increased cost and the establishment of a car allowance. POLICE DEPARTMENT Budget showed an increase over the previous fiscal year of 9/10 of 1%. The proposed budget consolidates the Police Department Budget with the Crime Prevention Budget due to 2 of 6 the discontinuance of a Crime Prevention Grant. The budget also upgrades the Intermediate Court Clerk to Sr. Court Clerk position adding an additional $562.00 in cost. Under Account 6231 for car equipment transfer, the following expenditures would be made: $1,750.00 for the transfer of equipment to the new vehicles; $500.00 to purchase five consoles; $1,200.00 to purchase three visabars; $1,625.00 for the purchase of five sirens and speakers; $750.00 for the purchase of three security screens; $200.00 for four red lights; and $320.00 for eight fire extinguishers. Account 6301 entitled Buildings, had an additional $1,100.00 added to improve jail lighting. Account 6504 entitled Special Services showed an increase over the last fiscal year from $1,200.00 to $5,000.00 for "buy money" for narcotics and bootlegging operations. The Professional Services Account, 6521, showed a decrease, due to the acquisition of software in the 1987-1988 fiscal year from $4,200.00 down to $700.00. In the category of office equipment, two terminals have been budgeted in Account 6801 entitled office equipment for $1,650.00. It was noted that in the automotive equipment account only five vehicles were being purchased instead of six, due to the conversion to a car allowance in 1987-88 by the Chief of Police resulting in an additional car being made available during that year. The $11,272.00 for other equipment in Account 6803 is broken down in the following manner: $2,100.00 for three car radios; $1,000.00 for a canine container; $425.00 for a "bail out" for the canine; $5,247.00 for a base radio; and $1,500.00 for a body radio. It was noted that the police utility unit would be disbanded due to the fact that no police officer was interested in caring for the dog. FIRE DEPARTMENT Budget showed an increase of approximately 2% over the previous fiscal year. Said increase is due primarily to an increase in health insurance; the addition of $4,200.00 in Account 6404 to check the "overhead" on the fire units; and the addition of $2,6000.00 in Account 6803 entitled other equipment for a water tank on booster unit 4. City Administration denied the request for a part-time secretary in that department. EMERGENC¥~RDICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT Budget showed an increase in expenses over the previous fiscal year of 2.7%. Said increase is attributed primarily to an increase in health insurance costs, and the allocation of $5,400.00 in capital outlay for an automated CPR machine. The City Manager stated before said purchase was to be made, the Emergency Medical Services would be requested to solict donations to secure this equipment. ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT Budget shows an increase over the previous fiscal year of 3.1%, with said increase being attributed primarily to an increase in health insurance cost, and $5,100.00 for the acquisition of capital equipment. The capital equipment breakdown is $1,300.00 for four files and $3,800.00 for a personal computer. 3 of 6 O0 STREET CLEANING Budget shows an increase over the previous fiscal year of 150%. Said increase is attributed primarily to the increase in health insurance cost, and $90,000.00 for the acquisition of a new street sweeper. Councilman Bobby James suggested that the City Council review very carefully as to whether or not the street sweeping services should continue to be provided. STREET DEPARTMENT Budget showed an increase over the previous fiscal year of 60.3%. Said increase is attributed primarily to an increase in health insurance cost, and due to the fact the City has been operating one position short in this department for approximately one year. It was noted that Account 6305 entitled Street Improvements had additional monies set aside for curb repair. It was also noted that the major reason for the increase in funding was the allocation of $150,000.00 to purchase a road grader and $22,450.00 to purchase a dump truck. BUdget Account 6804 Automotive Equipment was to be increased from $22,450.00 to $26,000.00. It was noted that one 1/2 ton truck unit was scheduled for replacement out of the Vehicle Replacement Fund at a cost of $12,000.00. The City CoUncil briefly discussed the option of working with the County to identify other more economical means to maintain the dirt streets within the City of Plainview. PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT Budget shows a decrease of 8.9% over the previous fiscal year which is attributed primarily to the discontinuance of the acquisition of traffic signals. The State of Texas is to assume said operations on the State Highways in 1990. The Vehicle Replacement Fund shows $12,000.00 being allocated for the acquisition of a 3/4 ton pickup, and $15,000.00 for a 1 ton pickup. In Account 6803 entitled Other Equipment $2,700.00 is allocated to acquire a new "body" for the purchase of a 1 ton pickup, and $3,175.00 is allocated toward the anticipated short fall in acquiring a 3/4 ton pickup truck. CIVIL DEFENSE Budget shows a decrease over the previous year of 16.6%. Said decrease is due primarily to the discontinuance of the rental of motor vehicle equipment due to the anticipated retirement of Director of Municipal Safety & Environment Johnnie Ballew, also Account 6803 entitled Other Equipment shows a reduction in the purchase of radios from $2,204.00 down to $995.00. STREET LIGHTING Budget shows a decrease over the previous fiscal year of approximately 2.7%. ANIE CONTROL DEPARTMENT shows an increase over the previous fiscal year of 2.4%, with said increase being attributed to an increase in health insurance premiums; and the allocation of $750.00 for the purchase of a portable high pressure washer. PLANNING DEPARTMENT Budget shows an increase over the previous fiscal year of 9.2%, due to an increase in health insurance 4 of 6 O0 117 premiums, and the proposed purchase in the category of capital outlay of a transcribing machine for $880.00, and a video and playback machine for $2,450.00. Councilman Dickson inquired as to where the City purchased its camera equipment, stating he felt he could provide information as to where said equipment may be purchased more economically. CODE ENFORCEMENT Budget shows an increase of 4.4% over the previous fiscal year with said increase being attributed to an increase in health insurance premiums; upgrading the cost to rent motor equipment; and the allocation of $258.00 for filing cabinets. BUILDING INSPECTION DEYART~F.~ shows an increase over the previous fiscal year of 20.5%. Said increase is attributed to the increase in health insurance costs; an increase in the rental cost of service center equipment; and the following office equipment; slide projector - $600.00; bookcase - $239.00; and a personal computer for $4,325.00. BUILDING OPERATIONS DEPART~RNT shows a decrease of 21.5% over the previous fiscal year. Said decrease is attributed primarily to the completion of the acquisition of new telephone equipment during the 1987-88 fiscal year. City Staff advised that the allocation for building maintenance, Account 6301, will be reviewed and probably increased to approximately $4,000.00. It was also noted that the allocation of $16,830.00 for a new key system in various buildings was deferred for funding until a latter fiscal year. PARKS DEPARTMENT shows an increase of 13.1% over the previous fiscal year. Said increase is attributed to an increase in the health insurance premiums; and the allocation in the machinery and equipment category of $12,000.00 for a wood chipper; $9,000.00 for a mower and $5,000.00 for a shredder. It was recommended that since the Park Fund still had a balance of $14,857.00, that all of such should go towards the purchase of machinery and equipment reducing the burden on the General Fund. It was also noted that the Replacement Fund showed the purchase of one 3/4 ton 4 wheel drive pickup truck for $14,500.00, and one 3/4 ton pickup for $11,500.00. Items which were denied administratively for funding were a mower for $9,000.00, and the establishment of an escrow account to replace the bucket truck for $50,000.00. Councilman Terry Clements requested that the City look at repairing the "jungle gym" in Broadway Street Park which leans substantially. CUSTODIAN SERVICES shows an increase over the previous fiscal year of 1/10 of 1%. SWIMMING POOL Budget shows no increase, nor decrease in expenditures for the upcoming fiscal year. It was noted that the 5 of 6 O0 118 City was reaching the point to where extensive maintenance was needed at the facility with .anticipated costs of $10,000.00. Councilman Dickson requested that the City investigate the feasibility of installing a solar cover in order to reduce the gas utility expense. The City Council opted to defer taking any specific action on the swimming pool budget until the end of the season in order to analyze the operations. OFFICE SERVICES DEPARTMENT shows an increase over the previous fiscal year of 4.2% with said increasing being attributed to an increase in capital outlay for a personal computer, as well as an increase in health insurance cost. City Administration denied the request for a VCR and monitor at a total cost of $750.00. AIRPORT Budget carried over the cost for the runway extension from the previous fiscal year, in anticipation that said project would be completed during the 1988-89 fiscal year. The Council was also advised that the City was anticipating a request from the Airport Board to fund an $8,000.00 study from Parkhill, Smith & Cooper to upgrade the Master Plan, in hopes of securing additional State and/or Federal monies. TAX APPRAISAL/COLLECTION Budget shows an increase over the previous fiscal year of approximately 23.2%. Said increase is attributed primarily to the revised 1987-1988 figures. LIBRARY Budget shows a projected increase of 10.4% over the previous fiscal year attributed to an increase in health insurance cost. An additional $15,000.00 is being allocated under building maintenance in order to correct faulty plumbing in the building. Under the Capital Outlay category $900.00 has been allocated for catalogue files, and $750.00 has been allocated for a water fountain. Requests that were denied administratively were to increase the book budget from $17,000.00 to $22,000.00; increase the audio visual from $800.00 to $4,000.00; and the allocation of a portable bar scanner for $850.00. HEALTH DEPARTMENT Budget shows an increase, of 1.2% over the previous fiscal year attributed primarily to the increase in health insurance cost. It was noted that the $600.00 for Capital Outlay was to be deleted for it was to be considered in conjunction with the retention of an additional Sanitarian. The additional Sanitarian is still being analyzed and a final report would not be submitted to the Council until after the beginning of the fiscal year. Projected cost for the additional Sanitarian are $16,800.00. There being no further business the meeting at 10:00 p.m. E.V. Ridlehuber, Mayor ATTES~ :, ~-/ ~ P~e~~",//Manager6cit/I~ of 6