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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/03/1988 FC MinutesMINUTES FINANCE COMMISSION March 3, 1988 I Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM. Commissioners present were Richard Bachhuber, Paul Davies, Newt Hallman, Tom Pekras and Ann Smilanic. Also present were Human Services Administrator Nancy Morgan and Finance Director David Jepson. Trustee George Van Ge em arrived at 7:43 PM. Fire Chief Ed Cavello and Deputy Chiefs Del Ulreich and Lonnie Jackson arrived at 8:15 PM and Police Chief Ron Pavlock and Deputy Chiefs Tom Daley and Ron Richardson arrived at 9:15 PM. II 1988/89 Budget Review - Human Services Division Human Services Administrator Nancy Morgan presented the proposed 1988/89 budget for the Human Services Division. The total budget of $204,600 is made up of personal services of $149,755 and approximately $55,000 for services and supplies. Ms. Morgan stated that the programs and services of the Division focus on providing support services for the Village's senior citizens and other Village residents in need of social service assistance. She pointed out that in addition to the resources requested in the Village budget, there are over 100 volunteers who actively take part in providing the programs and services. Additionally, the Division coordinates the resources that may be available through the Police and Fire Departments and other community groups. One major change that is being requested in the current budget is the upgrading of a part-time social worker position to a full-time position. Ms. Morgan cited an increase of 4390' in the number of cases handled over the last two years and expects this trend to continue in the coming fiscal year. Ms. Morgan pointed out the following services provided to Village residents: Employment Counseling - A total of 2,009 contacts were made, up approxi- mately 1190' from the previous year. In addition to personal contacts, a program is presented over Cable TV and the presentation is available on video cassette. In response to a question, Ms. Morgan stated that the success rate for job placements is about 8090'. It was pointed out that this particular service is funded by a grant of $12,000 from Elk Grove Township and that a request for additional funding will be made to Wheeling Township. Support Groups - In addition to the Open Door Support Group for widows and widowers, a Care Giver Support Group has been established and a Single Parent Support Group is being planned. An Intergenerational Program is also scheduled to start in early 1988. The Shared -Cost Taxi Program provides reduced taxi rates for senior citizens for transportation within the Village. The senior citizen pays $1.00 and the Village pays $1.50 for this service with approximately 7590' of the Village costs reimbursed by the RTA. Currently over 8,000 senior citizens are registered for this service with approximately 1890' participation. Financial Assistance - Through the Salvation Army, the Church Council and the Emergency Food Pantry emergency assistance is given in the form of food vouchers, food supplies, rent and utility subsidies. Over 500 residents were served during the past year, many of the recipients being one -parent families. Financial assistance is provided on a one-time basis with follow-up counseling where appropriate. The Human Services Division coordinates these services, but no Village funds are disbursed. Health Programs - The emphasis on health services has increased during the past year with additional nursing hours added during the evening and Saturday mornings when the Village Hall is open. Over 300 employees and residents took advantage of the Health Fair sponsored during the past year which included 777 actual tests. Ms. Morgan concluded her presentation by stating the Human Services Division also administers the programs at the Senior Center. Total attendance has increased 2290' during the previous year. The Commissioners discussed the various programs and services with Ms. Morgan. It was pointed out during these discussions that the entire Human Services budget is less than the salaries paid to Community Service Officers in the Police Depart- ment. Commissioner Davies commented that he had referred a client to Human Services and he had a very good report as to the results. Commissioner Hallman summed up the discussion by stating that he thought needed services were being provided in a responsible manner. He stated we were getting a "good bang for the buck." III 1988/89 Budget Review - Fire Department Fire Chief Cavello presented the proposed Fire Department budget for 1988/89. The total budget is $3,933,050, up some 5.390' from the 1987/88 budget of $3,736,485. The budget has been presented on the basis of maintaining existing services in a cost-effective manner. Chief Cavello said the primary reason for the increase is because of the replacement of a 29 year old pumper and an 11 year old ambulance. At this point Chief Cavello asked for questions from the Finance Commissioners. Some of the specific items of discussion were: Commissioner Hallman asked how many calls per year were made and how many calls were for fires. The response indicated that total calls were 3,930 with approximately 7090' for emergency medical services and 3090' for fire calls. -2- Commissioner Bachhuber asked about the variations over the past two years for personal services for the Records Clerk and an explanation of Hire Back Overtime and Call Back Overtime. It was explained that the budget .item for Records Clerk covers 3 part-time positions and actual costs are dependent on the time required. Hire Back is the extra time needed to maintain 16 men on duty on each shift. Hire Back time is paid at straight time unless the Firefighter's time exceeds 212 hours in a 28 day cycle. Call Back Overtime is paid at time and one-half and applies when an employee is required to work longer than a 24 hour shift or is called in on a day off. Commissioner Smilanic asked about the various incentive pay items and problems encountered by AIDS. Chief Cavello explained that incentives are paid for extra training that is required for various positions. Precautions are being taken in light of the Aids Crisis and it is a continuing concern. Commissioner Pekras asked about increased chemical expenses. A discussion followed regarding the use of chemicals and fire planning for the tank farm. The current increase is to replace inventories are being depleted. Commissioner Davies asked about the amount of fire loss in the Village. Deputy Chief Jackson explained the Fire Prevention Program in the Village and that fire deaths in the Village are less than half the national norm. Chief Cavello stated that fire losses totaled $469,000 but that the value of salvaged property was over $8 million. Salvaged property includes the proprties subject to fire loss but which have been kept from loss. Trustee Van Geem asked for an update on Central Dispatch. It was explained that the budget is up about 6.590' but about 590' is for equipment replacement. A new formula has been approved for the coming year based upon calls for service. The Village of Elk Grove will be paying a higher percentage in 1988/89 because of this change. IV 1988/89 Budget - Police Department Police Chief Ron Pavlock introduced Deputy Chiefs Tom Daley and Ron Richardson and explained that Deputy Chief Richardson replaced Joe Bopp who retired in 1987. Chief Pavlock stated the proposed budget for 1988/89 is $3,846,560, up 3.690' from the 1987/88 budget of $3,712,655. The proposed budget includes wage adjustments for 1988/89 based upon the terms of the second year of a two-year wage agreement. He pointed out that the overall percentage increase is lower than in the previous year because capital expenditures are $129,500 less than last year. Chief Pavlock mentioned some of the noteworthy items in the proposed budget as follows: Employment Testing is up $10,000 to provide for both a Police Officer and a Sergeant's test in 1988/89 Training is up some $4,000 to continue an on-going career path training program and to prepare for the complex requirements of professional law enforcement. -3- DUI Chemical Tests are budgeted at $4,000, up $2,500 from the previous year. The increase is necessary because of the increased charges by the various testing labs. Chief Pavlock mentioned that the Police Department had requested an appropriation of $32,000 to join the Northern Illinois Crime Lab, but that amount was not included in the proposed budget. The provision for Clothing Allowance is up because of an increase provided in the wage settlement in 1987. A new line item of $3,000 for Squad Conversions is to provide for con- tracting the change of radios, mobile data terminals and other squad equipment from existing police vehicles to replacement vehicles rather than using Public Works personnel. Under Capital Expenditures, a mobile data terminal is included along with a brake machine that is used for police vehicles. Chief Pavlock mentioned that 4 vehicles are included in the 1988/89 budget compared to 15 in the 1987/88 budget. The last item mentioned was the inclusion of monies in the Streets Division budget for improved ventilation and security in the jail area and some remodeling in the court room area. A lengthy discussion followed regarding the role of the CSO's, Central Dispatch, the adequacy of the jail area, the accreditation process, evidence testing problems, and the judicial system. The following information was provided by Chief Pavlock and Deputy Chiefs Daley and Richardson: CSO's are not sworn personnel and accordingly cannot make arrests or carry firearms. They provide many services that do not require the presence of a police officer such as investigating minor accidents on private property, animal calls, issuing parking tickets, following up on business licenses and staffing the Police information and complaint desk. They provide a valuable service and help to keep overall departmental costs down. The accreditation process is progressing on schedule with an expected completion during the coming year. At the present time there are 51 police agencies out of some 20,000 in the nation which have achieved accreditation. Chief Pavlock brought a sample of some of the work that has been completed and explained the value of this process for the Police Department. The turn -around time for obtaining results from the State Crime Lab has been increasing to the point where it now takes 6 to 7 months after evidence is submitted to get the results. Because of this time lapse, it is very difficult to prosecute cases aggresively and plea-bargaining is much more common. Currently there are 40 communities that are members in the group and turn -around time is 6 to 7 working days. Cost is based upon population. Concern was expressed over consistency in the judicial system and the effect this has on revenue to the Village. Chief Pavlock mentioned that different judges levy varying amounts of fines. Also, the average fine for DUI convictions during the past year was $375, compared to $650 to $700 in the previous year. ELM Additional concerns were expressed over staffing needs, increases in overtime and possible vehicle needs when the court moves to Rolling Meadows. Deputy Chief Richardson mentioned that patrol time (time when an officer is not responding to a specific call or duty) is down to 3290', compared to an ideal percentage of 5090'. V Finance Commission Report to Villa e Board Commission members discussed the process that would be followed to prepare a report to the Village Board. It was determined that each Commissioner would draft their comments and submit them to Finance Director David Jepson for typing and submission to the Village Board. VI Adjournment There being no other business, the meeting adjourned at 10:55 PM. Respectfully Submitted David C. Jepson Finance Director -5-