Agenda Packets - 1996/06/24 - Laserfiche WebLink

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BRUCE A. KESSEL, CPA 310 South Jefferson New Ulm, Minnesota 56073 (507) 359-8266 Work; 359-1383 Home EMPLOYMENT Present CITY OF NEW ULM - City Clerk -Treasurer NEW ULM PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION - Secretary/Treasurer NEW ULM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY - Treasurer New Ulm, Minnesota Chief financial officer for the City and its Public Utilities Commission and Economic Development Authority. Summary financial information: • Approximately 160 full-time and 300 part-time employees; • Average annual investments $20,000,000; • Approximate governmental expenditures: current $6,000,000, debt service $2,000,000, capital outlays $3,600,000; proprietary fund operations: operating expenses $18,800,000, debt service $1,000,000, capital outlays $2,900,000; • Total outstanding bonded debt: $26,000,000; bond rating: City - A 1, Public Utilities - Aa. Summary of activities and achievements: • Instituted cash flow projections, established an investment pool, consolidated and eliminated numerous bank accounts, and negotiated contracts for banking services which increased investment earnings and lowered banking costs. • Established and marketed direct deposit for payroll checks (approximately 95% participation) and automatic payment for customers utility bills, leased parking, and other miscellaneous billings (approximately 25% participation). • Established and marketed an IRS Section 125 (cafeteria) plan for employees which increased employees' take-home pay and lowered City fringe benefits costs. • Held health insurance costs relatively constant over the last four years by increased deductibles on purchased health insurance and established a self-insurance program for the change in deductibles. • Instituted procedures to monitor workers compensation classifications and calculations resulting in premium savings of approximately 15%. • Worked with County officials to bill special assessments with property tax statements and for the joint purchase of an optical scan voting system which improved services and lowered the City's cost for providing them. • Established and oversee a personal computer users group for standardizing personal computer hardware and software, developing and providing training, and developing and installing computer networks. • Analyzed and selected accounting and financial software which is in the process of being implemented which will provide more timely and accurate information for managing the City and provide more flexibility to be able to meet the diverse needs of our customers and citizens. • Acted as a City representative on police and fire pension boards; initiated consolidation of police pension with PERA which improved member benefits and lowered City contributions; improved communications with fire relief board which had previously been adversarial and instrumental in changing invest mix to a more appropriate percentage in equities. • Assisted in developing alternative financing sources for a market rate housing project resulting in the construction of the first market rate housing project within the City in approximately 25 years; due to the success of the initial project, anticipate proceeding with. a similar project within the next year. • Analyzed financial conditions of enterprise operations and performed rate studies for electric, water, steam and natural gas operations resulting in a one time refund to gas customers of approximately 10% of their annual billings, a 10% reduction in electric rates and other modifications which allocated costs in a more equitable manner to all classes of customers. • Implemented an employee evaluation system for individuals under my supervision and direction to improve communications, assist in staff development, and improve the departments effectiveness. • Initiated an informational meeting after all Council meeting to inform other departments of action taken at such meetings. • Established procedures for the timely preparation of Council/Commission meeting minutes_ and resolutions. • Developed more useful and timely financial and budget reporting documents. • Oversaw the recodification of the City Code and undertook the codification of utility regulations.