HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCM-07-02-97 BUDGETS CARMEL CITY COUNCIL BUDGET HEARING MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, JULY 2, 1997 -~ 6 P.M. ~
COUNCIL CHAMBERS / CITY HALL / ONE CIVIC SQUARE
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Brainard; Council President Kevin Kirby and Councilors Jim
Miller, Robert Battreall, Luci Snyder, Run Carter and Billy Walker. Clerk-Treasurer Diana
Cordray and Chief Deputy Cindy Sheeks also attended.
Councilor Kirby called the meeting to order and stated the council would be reviewing the
following budgets at this meeting: City Court, Department of Administration, Engineering, Local
Roads and Streets, Police and the Street Department.
Mayor Brainard stated the executive budget called for a 3 percent decrease in the tax rate. He
also stated the city had suggested to pay 3 pement of the Public Employees Retirement Fund
contribution instead of giving employees a 3 percent raise. He explained that this would give
employees more dollars in their paycheck without costing the city any more money.
CARMEL CITY COURT BUDGET: Judge Gail Bardach explained the court budget and
discussed the PERF contribution with the mayor. Councilor Snyder stated she had not had
adequate time to review Judge Bardach's budget justifications since the council just had received
the budget explanations at the beginning of this meeting. Discussion continued for about 15
minutes. Councilor Kirby stated the council could decrease budgets at any of the budget
meetings, and that the mayor had the power to increase budgets.
DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION BUDGET: Joe Staehler, director of the
Department of Administration, explained the changes in the department's budget. Barb Lamb,
director of Human Resources, presented the reasoning behind the 6 percent increase in her salary.
Ms. Lamb talked about a proposed plan to write job descriptions, determine comparable
positions within the city and decide appropriate salaries. Councilors discussed th? need to for the
project. Councilor Snyder moved that the Human Resource Director's salary remain the same
except for its 3 percent increase in PERF. The motion died for lack of a second. Councilor
Battreall moved to reduce the $50,000 in Line Item 404, Consulting Fees, to $35,000. Councilor
Snyder seconded. Councilor Walker stated he wanted the project to be completed correctly and
would prefer to leave the issue open to a later date in the budget process. Councilor Carter stated
the council was finding it difficult to get important questions answered because council members
received the budget late. Councilor Battreall withdrew his motion. Councilor Snyder seconded.
Councilor Carter stated he was uncomfortable with the setting of the budget hearings. He would
have preferred it be less informal. Councilors Kirby and Snyder agreed.
MVH ENGINEERING BUDGET: Kate Boyle, city engineer, explained the engineering
budget. Mayor Brainard stated the proposed 1998 engineering budget was about $50,000 lower
than the 1995 budget. Councilor Walker moved to approve the engineering budget. Councilor
Battreall seconded. The budget was approved 6-0.
MVH STREET BUDGET: Councilor Kirby explained this budget was the city's share of the
state MVH fund and that this money was not from property taxes. David Klingenmsith, street
commissioner, explained the Street Department's budget. Councilor Kirby, Mayor Brainard and
Mr. Klingensmith discussed the line item for overtime. Councilor Kirby stated the city needed to
look at individual accounts to make sure the money was being used properly. Councilors
discussed whether MVH funds could be used for landscaping, especially along US 31. Councilor
Battreail moved to approve the street budget. Councilor Walker seconded. The budget was
approved 6-0.
LOCAL ROAD AND STREET BUDGET: Ms. Boyle explained the budget and stated she had
left out $21,000 from Line Item 401, Engineering Fees. Councilor Kirby stated he wanted to
know a plan existed for using the money in this fund. Mayor Brainard explained the city had a
goal for the money. Councilor Carter moved to approve the Local Road and Street Budget.
Councilor Walker seconded. The budget was approved 6-0.
POLICE BUDGET: Police Chief Michael Fogarty explained the police budget for 1998.
Councilors, the mayor and clerk-treasurer discussed a correction in the budget. Councilor Kirby
asked the chief about "spot" enforcement. Discussion ensued regarding traffic tickets and felony
arrests. ChiefFogarty talked about the need for levels of pay among ranks. Councilor Kirby
moved to approve the police budget. Councilor Walker seconded. The budget was approved 6-0.
LAW ENFORCEMENT AID FUND: Councilor Carter moved to approve the Law
Enforcement Aid Fund. Councilor Battreall seconded. The budget was approved 6-0.
CONTINUING EDUCATION FUND: Councilor Walker moved to approve the Continuing
Education Fund. Councilor Snyder seconded. The budget was approved 6-0.
Councilor Carter moved to have Curtis Coonrod, CPA, provide the council with monthly
financial reports. Councilor Battreall seconded. Councilor Kirby stated he could transfer funds to
pay Mr. Coonrod to produce the reports if the majority of the council approved the motion. After
clarifying that the Clerk-Treasurer's Office's new software would be capable of producing the
needed reports by the end of the year, Councilor Snyder suggested that the council pay Mr.
Coourod for his reports through the end of 1997. Councilor Kirby stated the council pay Mr.
Coonrod until the Clerk-Treasurer's Office produced the needed reports. The motion was
approved 6-0.
Councilor Carter commended Council President Kirby for his efforts to make the budget process
as efficient and effective as possible. He stated that councilors could have received the budgets
when they had expected to receive them if the mayor and clerk-treasurer had communicated
better. He called the mayor and clerk-treasurer to work together for the good of the citizens of
Carmel. Clerk-Treasurer CordraY stated the problem in ' ~ '
getting the budgets to the council was not
a result of lack of communication between her and the mayor. Councilor Kirby stated all parties
involved could have communicated better.
Councilor Walker moved to adjourn. Councilor Carter seconded. The meeting was adjourned.
Attest:
CARMEL CITY COUNCIL BUDGET HEARING MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 1997 -- 4 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS / CITY HALL / ONE CIVIC SQUARE
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Brainard; Council President Kevin Kirby and
Councilors Jim Miller, Robert Battreall, Norm Rundle, Luci Snyder and Ron Carter.
Clerk-Treasurer Diana Cordray; Deputy Clerk Cindy Sheeks; Township Board Members
Bob Book, Karl Swain, Jim Dillon, M.D.; Township Attorney Deb Farmer; and Rosmary
Hensel also attended.
PARKS BUDGET: Parks Board President Judy Hagan and Park Director Randy Auler
presented the budget report. Ms. Hagan stated the board wanted to add two employees to
the 1998 park budget. Mr. Auler reported that the non-reverting fund had been $840,000
in January 1997 and the balance at the end of this year would be $22,000.
Mr. Auler stated that park land in January 1997 included 221 acres. He stated that in
1998, park land should reach 421 acres.
Mr. Auler stated the largest expense was $6,000,000 for land acquisition. Dr. Dillon
stated he believed the township could not afford a cash outlay of this size and
recommended bonding the land along with associated development costs. Mayor
Brainard stated the City could afford to include its share of the $6,000,000 in its 1998
budget. After much discussion, the council decided to meet with the parks board again in
two weeks. This would enable the parks board to finalize the actual purchase price of the
land under negotiation.
Councilor Battreall moved to approve the $6,000,000 land acquisition of the Park Budget
and to work out the financing with the Clay Township Board. Carter seconded. All
council and township board affirmed; Dr. Dillon voted no.
Councilor Carter moved to approve the Parks Budget with Council Battreall's
aforementioned contingency. Councilor Battreall seconded. All members v0tbd AYE.
COMMUNICATIONS CENTER BUDGET: Director Jim Kinder presented the budget,
which totaled $942,607. Much discussion centered on equipment needs for this
department, particularly a generator and a new communication console. Councilors and
board members decided the urgency of this equipment necessitated moving ahead
immediately and not waiting until 1998. Councilor Battreall moved to approve. Councilor
Snyder seconded. All members voted AYE.
Council President Kirby announced that on July 23, 1997, at 5 p.m. in the police training
room the council would meet to review a demonstration of police equipment. He asked
the clerk-treasurer to notice the meeting.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY SERVICES: DOCS Director Steve Engelking
presented his 1998 budget in thc amount of $778,165. After some discussion, Councilor
Battreall moved to approve the budget. Councilor Snyder seconded. Mr. Eng~lking also
presented the Plan Commission budget. Councilor Miller moved to approve the budget in
the amount of $184,536. Councilor Battrcall seconded. All members voted AYE.
FIRE DEPARTMENT BUDGET: Fire Chief Douglas Callahan recommended that line
item #220 Health Insurance be reduced to $465,373 and line item #260 Retirement
benefits be reduced to $249,100. He stated that line item #230 should mad $9,630 instead
of $6,300. The total 1998 fire budget was $7,797,781.85. Councilor Battreall moved to
approve the budget. Councilor Snyder seconded. All members voted AYE.
CLERK-TREASURER'S OFFICE: Clerk-Treasurer Cordray presented her 1998
budget in the amount of $349,795. She stated that increases in Line Items 430.1 and
430.2 were for training, travel and lodging. Clerk-Treasurer Cordray explained that
maintenance contracts had also increased due to the pending implementation of the
Pentamation software. Council Carter moved to reduce legal fees from the proposed
$15,000 to $5,000 and add $5,000 to consulting fees for an overall $5,000 reduction.
Councilor Carter motioned to approve. Councilor Battreall seconded. All members voted
AYE.
Councilor Rundle asked questions regarding the employees' response to the PERF
payment by the city in lieu of a 3% raise. Councilor Kirby suggested the council might
want to call an informal meeting with the employees.
DEPARTMENT OF LAW: City Attorney Deb Grisham presented her budget. Mayor
Brainard stated that line item #100 Full Time incorrectly read $168,000 and should be
reduced to $158,000. He stated outside legal fees also were to be reduced by $19,000.
The mayor explained that assistant city attorney Doug Haney should receive a salary
increase in order not to lose him to a better offer from a law fim~. Councilor Battreall
moved to approve the $250,368 budget. Councilor Carter seconded. All members voted
AYE.
CUM CAP SEWER: City Engineer Kate Boyle stated the city has had an abundance of
drainage problems, and that she has looked at several projects which should average
approximately $75,000 each. She also suggested that the Street Department could assist
her in its off-peak times. Councilor Rundle moved to approve the 1998 budget of
$421,000. Councilor Snyder seconded. All members voted AYE.
CUM CAP IMPROVEMENT AND CUM CAP DEVELOPMENT: Mayor Brainard
led discussion on the budgets. He explained these budgets were basically unchanged
except for a small percent for inflation. The mayor provided the following data on these
two funds along with Cum Cap Sewer:
CUM CAP SEWER
CUM CAP IMPROV.
CUM CAP DEVELP.
Beginning Bal. Beginning Bal. Beginning Bal.
$1,500,580 $377,278 $1,316,815
+ + +
This year This year This year
$374,000 $126,717 $688,000
$1,874,580.00 Bal.
$503,995 Bal.
$2,004,815 Bal.
A motion was made to approve these three cum cap funds. A brief recess followed.
Discussion occurred regarding the City paying employee PERF. Councilor Miller moved
that all civilian employees receive the benefit of the City paying their PERF contribution.
Councilor Battreall seconded. All members voted AYE. Ron Carter moved that all sworn
officers receive a 3% increase.
Further discussion ensued regarding the Court budget. Councilor Miller motioned that the
City pay the PERF contribution for the Court employees, and that the Judge must present
persuadable data that her employees should receive higher raises than other employees.
The council discussed the pay increase for Barb Lamb, Director of Persounel. Her cun'ent
salary is $38,160. The council proposed a 5% raise plus the PERF contribution for this
position. Councilor Miller moved to approve this increase for the Director of Personnel.
Bob Battreall seconded. All members voted AYE.
A raise was proposed for Doug Haney, assistant city attorney, from $45,000 to $65,000.
Motion moved and seconded.
Concern was expressed over the hourly rate approved for some part time personnel (line
item #110). Most departments were paying $8 per hour. Councilor Battreall fimtioned to
raise the rate across the City to $12.50 per hour for part time. Councilor Rundle seconded.
All members voted AYE.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Approved,
CARMEL CITY COUNCIL BUDGET HEARING MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1997 -- 6 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS / CITY HALL / ONE CIVIC SQUARE
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Bralnard; Council President Kevin Kirby and
Councilors Jim Miller, Robert Battreall, Nom~ Rundle, Luci Snyder, Ron Carter and Billy
Walker. Clerk-Treasurer Diana Cordray; Deputy Clerk Cindy Sheeks; Department of
Administration Director Joe Staehler; Human Resources Director Barb Lamb also
attended.
Councilor Kirby opened the meeting at 6:20 p.m.
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS BUDGET: Mayor Brainard announced that several
reductions had been made in the BPW budget since it was delivered to council. These
changes included:
#403
#404
//419
#501
#515
#630
del~e $5,000
reduce $127,000 to $92,500
delete $5,000
reduce $35,000to$25,000
reduce $18,000to$12,000
reduce $10,000 to $5,000
The total budget reduction was from $1,136,507 to $1,070,007.
Joe Staehler, director of the Department of Administration, stated he wanted to hire a
consultant to do an in-depth analysis of how the city operates, partly because of the
expectation of Carmel soon becoming a second class city.
Councilor Rundle moved to approve the BPW budget. Councilor Snyder seconded. The
budget was approved 6-1. Councilor Battreall voted no.
CITY COUNCIL BUDGET: Councilor Kirby asked the clerk-treasurer if the council
had received a 3 percent PERF increase and a 7 percent salary increase. Clerk-Treasurer
Cordray stated she believed the council budget included a 10 percent salary increase in
addition to PERF. She stated she would check the numbers and make the adjustment if
necessary. She also stated that additional council meetings had been budgeted for in
1998.
Councilor Kirby stated legal fees had been reduced from $5,000 to $I,000 for 1998.
Councilor Rundle moved to reinstate the $5,000 in line item #400. Councilor Snyder
seconded. The motion was approved 4-3. Councilors Rundle, Snyder, Walker and Miller
voted yes. Councilors Carter, Battreall, and Kirby voted no.
Carter moved to change line item #570.02 from $500 to $1,000. Councilor Rundle
seconded. The motion was approved 7-0. Councilor Carter moved to delete $8,400 from
line item #515 Website. Councilor Battreall seconded. The motion was approved 7-0.
Councilors discussed the Park Joinder Fee mount. Last year's contribution was
$1,723,349. Based on the Park Board 1998 budget, the council raised the joinder fee
amount to $4,360,000.
Councilor Carter moved to reduce line item #587 Hamilton County Alliance to $27,500.
Councilor Battreall seconded. The motion was approved 4-3. Councilors Walker, Carter,
Battreall and Miller voted yes. Councilors Rundle, Kirby, Snyder voted no.
Councilor Miller moved to approve the city council budget for $4,460,452. Councilor
Walker seconded. The council budget was approved 6-1. Councilor Snyder voted no.
FIRE PENSION BUDGET: Councilor Walker moved to approve the budget for
$416,652. Councilor Battreall seconded. The budget was approved 7-0.
GENERAL OBLIGATION BUDGET: Councilor Battreall moved to approve the
$83,270 budget. Councilor Miller seconded. The budget was approved 7-0.
LEASE RENTAL BUDGET: Councilor Miller moved to approve the $1,215,243
budget. Councilor Battreall seconded. The budget was approved 7-0.
POLICE PENSION BUDGET: Councilor Battreall moved to approve the $319,169
budget. Councilor Snyder seconded. The budget was approved 7-0.
Discussion resumed on the Department of Administration budget. Barb Lamb, Human
Resources director, brought copies of proposals she had received for the personnel study
included in her budget. Councilor Battreall was concerned that if the study was done the
City would fail to make the recommended suggestions and let the report sit on a shelf.
Councilor Miller moved to approve line item #404 for $60,000 to be included'in the 1998
budget. Councilor Battreall seconded. The change was approved 7-0.
Councilor Walker moved to approve the minutes of the July 2, 1997, budget hearing.
Councilor Battreall seconded. The minutes were approved 6~0. Councilor Rundle
abstained:
RespeCted,
Approved,