HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-05-08 Budget Committee Minutes
Budget Committee Meeting
Minutes
May 8, 2003, 7:00pm
Civic Center Council Chambers, 1175 East Main Street
CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Marty Levine called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
ROLL CALL
Present: Kate Jackson, Don Laws, Russ Silbiger, Jacquie Christensen, Marty Levine, Jim Moore,
Alan DeBoer, Cate Hartzell, Alex Amarotico, Dave Williams, Regina Stepahin.
Absent: Chris Hearn, John Morrison, and Ray Olsen.
Staff: Gino Grimaldi, Lee Tuneberg, and Cindy Hanks.
PUBLIC INPUT
None
REVIEW CHANGES
Tuneberg discussed the agenda and handout. Spoke to the seven items on handout.
1. Move the $151,100 Boulevard Maintenance program from the General Fund back to the
Street Fund.
2. Appropriate a $133,000 Transfer for the school grounds maintenance program from the
General Fund.
3. Appropriate $133,000 for the school grounds maintenance program in the Parks Division of
the Parks & Recreation Fund.
4. Appropriate a $400,000 Interfund Loan to Telecommunications Fund in the Electric Fund.
5. Reduce appropriations in the Central Services Fund, Administration Department by $30,000
due to input error.
6. Reduce appropriations in the Central Services Fund, Administration Department by $23,275
for City Source.
7. Reduce appropriations in the Central Services Fund, Administration Department by $20,000
for Assistant Attorney.
Unresolved: Increased amount to Social Services grants - $18,000 to $25,000
Levine questioned motion left on table at last meeting. Lee answered that it is the unresolved
amount for the social service grant. Tuneberg explained that we started with a proposed budget
of $87,299,000 with these changes, the budget goes up to $87,432,000, increase is $133,000
operating transfer from general fund to parks. Williams questions the ending fund balance of
electric that it is below the fund balance policy requirement. Tuneberg responds that it is a target
that is set.
DeBoer asks to withdrawl the motion. Decision is made to vote on motion.
DeBoer m/s: Allocate $18,000 addition to social services grants, $9000 to Community
Works $9000 to ICCA. All vote No
Hartzell discussed social service and the impact. Discussed the City helping more with funding
grantees. DeBoer asked of Tuneberg and Grimaldi what the fiscal impact is. Tuneberg explained
that given the transfer of the Boulevard Maintenance to the Street fund means we have room,
$18,100 as differential to fund. Grimaldi added to be aware that this is a program where we can
control the costs. Silbiger discussed the need and how the state funding is falling short. Jackson
expressed that she would like to do more for the social service but would like to talk to other
members of the sub-committee regarding the need and if they felt it should be done.
Laws/Silbiger m/s for one year, the $25,000 is to increase social service, $18,000 comes
from general fund and the $7000 comes from fund balance. All Ayes.
Hartzell brought up a question as to why the central service is higher besides PERS being higher.
Tuneberg explains the fund balance is under $100,000, and that is what is accepted in the central
service fund. Items 5,6,7 put $73,275 back in fund balance. Any excess carry over was pushed
back into other funds. DeBoer questioned if we can not take the $25,000 out of the General Fund
and use the items 5,6,7. Can we take it out of the central service monies instead? Tuneberg
explained that he would not recommend that since each department pays into Central Service.
Moore brought up looking again at the disbursement of the TOT monies to Chamber and OSF.
Concern about the Chamber not willing to give us a full budget on how that money is spent.
DeBoer replied the Chamber will be willing to give us a full budget. Laws agrees with Moore.
Added that he and Hartzell will propose changes to council. Additional discussion from Laws
regarding history of TOT. Jackson commented she would like more accountability from OSF and
Chamber. Moore feels that the increase is going up every year. Levine explains that methodology
has not changed through the years. Silbiger explains however there are smaller groups to
disburse between so the monies aren’t greater. Amarotico explains the little groups use the
monies to promote themselves. OSF and Chamber puts the monies back into the community.
Hartzell explains that is not necessarily true. Amarotico added he would like to close by saying
what a good job the OSF and Chambers does. Hartzell replied we are appreciative for the
partnership we have with them.
DeBoer would like to move forward that the Budget Community propose to the Council to look at
TOT allocations. Jackson would like to hear whether the budget committee thinks the council
should hear those discussions. Silbiger would encourage more to go to other groups. Hartzell
discussed the history of TOT.
Moore/Jackson m/s to ask that the council look at the current allocation. All yes except
Amarotico.
Levine discussed when TOT was established it was to be used for economic development, that it
shouldn’t be used for transportation. Stepahin asked to state outcome or goal in motion. Laws
would like to see totals of use for Economic and Culture and allocation. Williams mentioned that
we owe them some monies since OSF is the one that brings the monies for TOT. Feels that it is
council’s goal.
Hartzell Proposed that $16,000 motion to increase Fire to allow division fire chief. No
SECOND.
Hartzell discuss that there is a revenue stream untapped for position. Laws would like to discuss
more with Fire Department prior to increasing the position.
DeBoer/Jackson m/s That the City of Ashland budget committee approve and convey the
amended budget to council for adoption and approve taxes for the 2003-2004 fiscal year at
the rate of $3.56440 per $1000 of assessed value for operating purposes and in the
amount of $598,000 for payment of bond principal and interest and at the rate of $1.38000
per $1000 of assessed value as the Youth Activities local option levy contingent upon
voter approval of the YAL on May 20. All yes except Williams and Moore.
Silbiger questions $860,000 ending balance.p.4-46. Lee questioned with that motion would that
include the changes in the agenda. DeBoer and Jackson answered yes. Williams voices concern
over the fund balance for the whole budget. As we keep using the fund balance what will happen
to it in the future. Moore thanks the City for looking at AFN in August. As well as concern about
reducing the expenses. Hartzell has heard from staff that there have been reductions this year.
COMMITTEE COMMENTS
Committee thanked Tuneberg for running great staff and department and presenting the budget.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:20pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Bryn Morrison
Administrative Secretary Finance Department