HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/23/1976 Council Minutes1
1
1
October 18, 1976
Mr. Schneider went through the figures noting there is still approzimately $25,000.00
that must be cut in order to balance the budget. He had computed these salary figures
with the effective date of the salary increase to be March 15, 1977.,
On the projected cash flow for 1977, several months in the first half of the year
show deficit amounts. In order to avoid this, Mr. Schneider asked the Clerk to con-
tact Lexington and Centerville and request permission to pay the fire contract in
July and December instead of January and July. This would reduce the amount of cash
needed for the first six months.
Mr. Karth felt that $8,078.00 could be cut from the Road budget and $5,000.00 from
the Park budget. This would cut the purchase of a new tractor from the capital out-
lay for both departments.
There was discussion of the Attorney fees and methods of controlling the use of the
City Attorney by private citizens. The actual costs for 1975 and the projected
costs for 1976 were compared and Mr. Zelinka felt that $6,000.00 could be cut from
the 1977 proposed amount.
Mr. Zelinka requested the Clerk to make copies of the 1975 and 1976 Attorney fees.
He will analyze them for possible areas of control.
Mr. Karth asked Chief Myhre if he had done any work on the cost estimates in regards
to eliminating the part time police personnel and hiring a fourth full time man.
Mr. Karth felt this fourth man could be put on the third shift and during the quiet
hours he could do quite a bit of the paper work done in the office. This is to be
followed through.
The figures as presented this evening are to be changed to reflect the following
re- adjustments:
decrease the Attorney fees by $6,000.00
decrease the Road fund by 8,000.00
decrease the Park fund by 5,000.00
adjust the cash flow to reflect payment of the fire contracts in July and December.
Mr. Schneider moved to continue this meeting until 9:30 A.M. on Saturday, October 23,
1976. Seconded by Mr. Zelinka. Motion carried unanimously.
The Clerk was asked to call Mayor Bohjanen on Friday and remind him and to also not-
ify Mr. McLean.
Time: 10:00 P.M.
October 23, 1976
The fifth budget hearing was called to order at 10:05 A.M. on October 23, 1976 by
Mayor Bohjanen. Council members present: Karth, Schneider, Zelinka. Mr. McLean
will be late. Chief Myhre and Mr. Volk were also present.
Mr. Schneider had prepared a cover sheet compaing 1975, 1976 and the proposed budget
for 1977. Expenses minus Debt #2 totaled $356,706. Mr. Schneider felt the maximum
should be levied in order to build up a carry over into the next year. The monies
October 23, 1976
levied are not received until July and this makes the first part of the year depend-
ent on the carry over for operating funds. This carry over figure should be enough
to carry through until the levy is received in July.
Discussion of the Park budget and the salaries - Mr. Schneider felt the salary figure
could be on the high side since the Associations will be flooding the rinks with the
City responsible for the snow removal.
Mr. Schneider had prepared this -saiiary schedule with all employees scheduled for the
raise to become effective March 15, 1977. He felt this is the anniversary date of
the last increase. He asked Mr. Zelinka the intent of the Personnel Commission.
Mr. Zelinka said the Personnel Commission had felt that there should be uniformity
and their intent was the salary increase become effective January I, 1977. He asked
Mr. Schneider the difference in expenditures for the City and Mr. Schneider said there
is a $2,400.00 difference. Mr. Zelinka felt that perhaps the effective date of salary
increases could be moved back one month each year until all increases become effect-
ive on January 1 of the current year.
Mr. Schneider felt that if monies are available, there could possible be some adjust-
ment in 1977, but at the present time, the effective date would have to remain at
March 15, 1977. He asked Mr. Volk if his employees understood and Mr. Volk said
they probably understood but did not agree with the effective date. He asked that
a Personnel Commission meeting be set up with the employees for an explanation. Mr.
Zelinka set November 4, 1976 at 8:00 P.M. for this meeting. The Clerk is to notify
all Personnel Commission members.
Mr. McLean arrive at 10:30 P.M.
He asked Mr. Schneider if there is anything built in for unreceivables and Mr. Sch-
neider said, No.
There was discussion of the legal fees with Mr. McLean suggesting that some of the
things now handled by the Attorney could be handled by the Council. He felt a pol-
icy should be set on this matter.
If the three items are levied outside the budget as allowable by law, the mill rate
will be increased by approximately 2 mills. Mr. McLean felt this raise would be re-
sented by the residents of the City. He asked what alternatives the Council has to
stay at the 14.8 mill rate of this year? Cut service? Where?
Mr. Schneider said the obvious place is in the Police Department. He felt the Road
Department might be able to handle some cuts in the salaries but not in the projected
work on the streets, the general office has no padding for cutting, maybe the salaries
in the Park Department coufdbe cut.
Mr. Karth felt that the four departments under Mr. Volk, with the increase in some
and decrease in others, the total is only a 7% increase.
There was discussion on the mill rate with Mr. McLean feeling that a raise of 2 mills
is soo much - he felt the people would not understand.
1
Mr. Schneider asked where the cut is to be - He asked about the establishment of the
Police Department. He felt the department had been established and it is not a
matter of whether there is a Police Department but whether the current level of ser-
vice can be maintained.
1
1
1(i5
October 23, 1976
There was a suggestion of using a formuja for computing the Police cost for the
Centerville contract. This formula to be on the same order as the one used for
the Fire Contracts.
Mr. Zelinka said the present costs fail to recognize the cost incurred by the City
in providing office space, loss of gasoline by evaporation, storage of vehicles, etc.
Some means of adjusting this deficit were discussed. Perhaps adding $2,000.00 to
the Police Contract, maybe cutting $2,000.00 for road department salaries; possible
cuts in the Police Department. Mr. Zelinka suggested contacting Columbus Township
for offering coverage there. Mr. Karth suggested adding any overtime due to court
appearances for Centerville to the Centerville costs; Mr. Karth felt the idea of
releasing all part time personnel, hiring a fourth full time man for patrol and
office duties and making the police clerk part time was worth consideration.
The cost of the service to the MMTC was discussed by Mr. Schneider. There had been
a meeting with that organization and more discussions are planned.
Mr. McLean felt the road budget answers the needs of the people and this is a prim-
ary service by the City; Mr. Schneider said there is no excess time in the office
to cut. Mr. McLean explained there are funds for reimbursement to the local comm-
unitt.os if their revision of their Comprehensive Land Use Plans. He thought the
City could expect to receive about $2,000.00. The sale of the old pick up should
yeild about $500.00 with possibly $1,500.00 added to the Police Contract.
Mr. Schneider suggested a new study commission be set to study the Police Problem. -
not whether there should be a police department - just how much of a department can
the City support. The members must not be political nor should there be any pro's
or con's - a complete impartial study on the problem of financing.
Payment of the delinquent taxes due in the Lakes Additions was discussed. Mr. Karth
wondered if a meeting between the potential buyers, the bank and the City would help
in solving this problem - Council thought maybe it might.
There was discussion of the need for the liability insurance. The general consensus
of the Council is this is necessary. The Clerk was instructed to contact Mr. McGowan
early on Monday for some final figures on the insurance premiums and coverage.
Mr. Schneider remiddadthe Council these figures are only projections and there are
many unanswered questions. If a levy of $177,000.00 is set this would increase the
mill rate by 1 mill over last years rate. The Council felt they could live with that.
Mr. Zelinka so moved. Seconded by Mr. Karth. Motion carried unanimously.
Mayor Bohjanen asked for two names from each council member, for the two study comm-
issions. Meeting adjourned at 1:15 P.M.
These minutes were app ved, with correction on g /7
1aa CLERK - TREASURER